Saddle Up Right for a Great Ride

For any horse rider whether he is in to show jumping, professional horse riding or racing or simply for the love of the ride, the saddle and the numnah or the saddle pad are most important to ensure the comfort of the horse. You have to have a firm saddle with numnahs or saddlepads that fits well. In this field, British made numnahs are available in a wide range so as to meet the demands of the most discerning rider.

The saddlepads that are available must fit well in order that the best protection is provided to the horse. The better numnahs are made of pure British wool pile in 5 oz quilt with a rolled edge and deep wool pile. These are both smart and durable. The British made numnahs are available in different styles, color and sizes. The various styles refer to Dressage or DR, GP and WH or Working Hunter. The sizes are spread over from small to medium and large to extra large. Some of the numnahs are designed to be ideal for either horses that are to be ridden over a long period or those that have sensitive backs.

The latest products available are the gullet free numnahs. These British made Numnahs are made from specially selected and very dense British wool of superior quality. These have top quality firm quilt using a combination of excellent materials that guarantee the best performance from the horse because of the comfort that it enjoys. This range is currently available in the form of high wither half numnahs with collars, half wool pads that are very popular with dressage riders due to the generous length of the flap and half wool pads with collars at the front and back that's bound to be great for all kinds of riders that include GP, DR and show jumping.

Variations in the saddlepads include those in self-colored wool and those that use lightweight wool. Yet, some others have different colors for the wool and the quilt for additional appeal and those that have the pressure points softened by wool lining to provide greater comfort to the horse.

About the Author

The article is an effort of the webmaster at www.nuumed.com. We specialize in manufacturing British made Numnahs, side saddle, seatsavers, corrective pads, dressage, saddlepads, half numnahs and horse accessories meeting to a wide range of specifications.

How to train a horse to do tricks - 3 Basic Tricks

Training a horse is an art, a beautiful one. But it's often done successfully with love, patience and being able to understand horses as they really are. How to train a horse to do tricks, even the really basic ones, can be achieved if you have the consistency, flexibility and determination.

The first basic trick is to jump. Jumping can be done by a horse whether you ride on him or not. To do this, you must first prepare a pole. It need not be the one for competition, even a long slim log on two stands will do. It should be low as you are training the horse. Afterwards you command the horse to run slowly towards the direction of the log. Run with him and jump over the log. At first he might stop but if you do it repeatedly and give the cue jump when you jump, eventually the horse will follow as his instincts and observations will tell him he has to go over the obstacle. Give him a treat every time he succeeds.

Now how to train a horse to do tricks such as kiss is quite simple. Just let him smell a treat and draw it away from him and towards you. When he tries to reach for it with his mouth give him the cue and kiss him, then feed him the treat. Again, do it repeatedly until he gets used to it. Remember to kiss him with love.

And how to train a horse to do tricks that are quite as complex as the dance, will take some time, with some, even years to fulfill. You have to combine training a horse to jump on his right and left legs alternately, as if a marching dance and also shaking its hips. Do this as like training with the other tricks and use treats and a whip for control. Train with the hips first then with the legs

About the Author

For More horse training tips .Please visit http://www.horsetrainingguide.org

Rider and Horse - Trust Skill and Endurance

Equestrian sports are one of the oldest categories of the Olympic Games. One of the first events introduced was the four horse chariot race. The equestrian events are comprised of three categories - dressage, show jumping and the three-day event. This is sometimes referred to as the "equestrian triathlon" as well. The three-day event includes dressage and jumping as well as cross country riding over testing jumps.

For each category competition is in teams and as individuals. The aim is to complete all events with the lowest penalty points and there are a lot of trust, endurance and skill aspects involved in competition. The following is a brief description of the three day event or equestrian triathlon.

Dressage

Dressage is often also referred to as the 'horse ballet'. This is where the horse is trained to respond to its rider and to show the horse's natural gymnastic abilities. The dressage category is the first test in the competition and will consist of a set of required sequence and movements by horse and rider. Judging is based on accuracy, balance, rhythm and obedience of the horse to the rider.

Show jumping

This is perhaps the most commonly known of the equestrian events. The competitions themselves will vary in style but generally the horse and rider must follow a specified route around the arena and jump specific obstacles in sequence. The objective and judging relate to the horse and rider being able to jump the set course without upsetting any of the obstacles and sometimes also in a specified time frame. The rails of the obstacles are not solid and if contact is made by the horse the rails will fall.

Often winning in show jumping falls more to a fit horse rather than a horse that can jump the highest as stamina is required. There are some events where the fences will grow higher each round. There are also cases where there is a time race where all horse and rider combinations that did not knock down any rails will be required to race around a set course.

Cross Country

This event is very popular with spectators as well as for the competitors themselves. The event is a test of the endurance of horse and rider as well as their teamwork. They will be required to make their way through a long and varied course of obstacles. In cross country the obstacles are fixed and may replicate items found in nature such as ditches or logs and there are man made obstacles as well. The trust of the horse to follow the lead of the rider in these events is the most important aspect of being able to compete in the cross country event.

For equestrian events the horses are required to pass a veterinary check. The horses will almost always be braided and beautifully presented and the riders will dress in formal riding outfits. The equestrian sports world is a place full of diverse cultures and backgrounds and all of those involved of course have a love for the horses themselves. There is an ultimate recognition of team work between the horse and rider that must work together for many hours to obtain the necessary skills and to be able to compete in the events themselves.

A great deal of endurance and strength is required as well as being able to bring in grace and delicacy and therefore requiring such a mixed facet of abilities in the horses as well as in the riders themselves. Being able to take part or even just be a spectator in equestrian events is a great opportunity and if you have not been to any equestrian sports events previously perhaps it is time to see what all the fuss is about. You may just be surprised at how incredible a sport it really is.

About the Author

Michiel Van Kets writes articles for Abso-bloody-Lutely, a general web directory. The publications cover topics like sports and equestrian.