horse rider
Smart Tips on Equestrian Apparel
Saturday, September 19th, 2009 | Fashion | No Comments
Equestrian apparel is right up your alley if you are a serious horse rider, or if you just wish to have that horseback rider look in your wardrobe choices. When considering their clothing options, the horse rider will seek both function and style as they require comfort as well as an graceful feeling all at once. It is also essential that the fabrics used are both light and hard-wearing at the same time so to start off, choose a cool cloth that provides ease of motion.
The more common kinds of cloth used for equestrian apparel is cotton fiber and Lycra but choose a material that also acts as a moisture wick. This versatile material functions well in a range of temperatures. In warmer times, the cloth keeps temperature low by permitting sweat, while when colder it keeps warm by keeping perspiration away from your body so you stay dry. Since moisture does not penetrate the material weave, it evaporates quickly, causing the cloth to dry quickly as well. As an added bonus, you can choose materials and fabric weaves that reduce moisture absorption, repel UV rays and bugs - so what pieces of clothing make up equestrian apparel?
The primary item is a top, typically constructed in cotton fiber or wool crepe, which is usually white and to that you would add on a waistcoat or a vest that would match. Breeches and jodhpurs are an acceptable alternative in terms of legwear, though you will find some who prefer a more everyday approach with jeans and jodhpurs. Full-seat riding breeches are also a great option. A well-fitting piece is vital to help safe-guard you from the elements, riding gloves are also an essential item in your equipment. While tall horseback riding boots look perfect for shows and competitions, short boots with trouser socks are a wise alternative during training or ordinary days. A horse riding jacket can easily complete the look you’re going for, but you should take note of the materials used to make it. Look for things like silk lining, buttons, trims and double satin piping.
The everyday piece of head gear is a horse riding helmet, although there are others who like to wear black top hats although horse riding helmets now have simple-fit systems incorporated, so they are safe to use. With equestrian garments, specifically equestrian helmets, the current style is to individualize by using stickers or crystals and use of subtle and light colors of blues, greens, purples and pinks. Modern equestrian apparel includes tan show breeches. All the same, white breeches are still quite popular. Both show and dressage riding coats are available in many different colors, nonetheless, the fashion trend is moving toward darker shades of navy and black rather than the more common lighter shades of brown and khaki. Coats are available in plain solid colors or in a variety of stripes and patterns.
High leather boots with zippers are the more popular foot gear for shows and back zippers make the boots easy to take off but for those who are into serious training, half chaps and paddock boots are still in because of their strength. Finding equestrian apparel that is perfectly suited to you should be easy, with the vast array of fashionable, stylish clothing available today.
A Complete Guide to Equestrian Wear
Monday, September 7th, 2009 | Shopping | No Comments
Individual equine sports are unique and require different rider skills so the apparel is as much for functionality as for display. There are numerous types of clothing that equestrians need to protect the horse rider from head to foot. For equestrian activities, the essential items of apparel are the boots, chaps, gaiters breeches and jodhpurs for the legs, the jacket and body safe-guardor for the torso, and the hat for the head. For a novice it is important to know each of this apparel. Each individual’s taste may be different but it essential to know the basics before buying any clothing because horse back riding can be costly and its apparel is no exemption.
Horses can be trained, but situations are unpredictable, whether in competition or riding for pleasure - so the equestrians helmet is the most essential clothing as it protects the horse rider from falls. The hat, with its hard shell and shock absorbing lining, provides safe-guardion for the horse rider in case of a fall. When you’re not horseback riding, it is still essential to wear them, since the horse may kick when you are on the floor.
Any fall can cause the hat to lose protection, so it should be replaced after any fall. The protection also decreases over time as the padding compresses from daily use so horseback riding hats should be replaced ever three to four years. The first of the three basic hats available for horse riders is the classic riding hat constructed with a hard peak and traditionally made from velvet fabric in brown, black, or navy.
The 2nd is the skull cap which is also alluded to as the jockey cap which doesn’t have a peak and is generally worn by jockeys. It’s now popular with other horse riders for leisure or competition and silks which are peak covers can be placed over the skull cap giving the visual aspect of a riding hat. There are also novelty silks ideal for young ones with eyes and ears sewn on them for example. Similar to a cycling horse riding helmet is the skull protector, it is ventilated and lightweight, making those warm summer day rides a lot more comfortable.
Bona fide riding hats are equipped with a chin strap and are made to conform to horse riding hat safety standards such as the three that have been established by the United Kingdom. Riding headgear should follow one of these measures for optimum safety of the horse rider so the chin straps should be able to secure the hat safely and securely on the riders head. A starter should be sure to buy a hat that is comfortable, and all horse riders must remember to always secure their headgear when horse riding. Riding hats are critical pieces of equestrian clothing that safe-guard the rider by reducing the risk of severe injury during potentially fatal falls. Horse horse riders should not buy a previously owned horseback riding hat because previous damage cannot be seen from the outside and it is possible they will have reduced safety, so invariably buy a new hat for guaranteed protection.
