Taxonomy term

Saddle Fit and the Growing Horse

Posted:

May 27, 2016

saddle fit colt, saddle fit filly, saddle fit young horse, Jochen Schleese, horse lameness, horse back pain, equine back pain, equine injuries, equine lameness, horse saddle fit, saddlefit 4 life

‘Tis the season for buying young horses. Along with bringing the new prospect home come questions of when to start the youngster, and whether it makes sense to invest in a custom saddle. First, I will clarify the term “custom saddle.” I believe that true adjustability in a saddle is more important than whether it is “custom.” An adjustable saddle can be changed to accommodate the horse’s conformation as the horse matures, and that saddle is a worthwhile investment. Otherwise, you will likely have to buy several saddles over the course of your horse’s lifetime to make sure the fit remains optimal.

Equestrian Fashion - New Looks and Must-Haves for 2016

Posted:

May 12, 2016

2016 equestrian fashion, horse fashion 2016, arista equestrian, greenhawk vancouver island, victoria saddlery

Equestrian fashion is constantly evolving. And the latest trends were on full display during the Victoria-Saanich CADORA’s 2016 fashion show – with clothing provided by Arista Equestrian, F.O.A.L Equestrian, Greenhawk Vancouver Island, and Victoria Saddlery.

Riding Helmets Save Lives

Posted:

April 7, 2016

riding helmets, horse helmets, equine helmets, horse safety, equestrian safety, horseback safety

It is commonly said that if you ask ten riders a question, you will get ten different answers. But there is one thing we should all agree on - you should never ride a horse without a helmet. Horses are inherently dangerous due to their natural flight instinct. Even the quietest lesson horse is capable of spooking at an unusual object, and even the most experienced riders have falls.

11 Reasons for Not Wearing a Riding Helmet

Posted:

March 23, 2016

horse safety, horse helmet, riding helmet, riding safety, why wear horse helmet

There are many reasons, or rather, excuses for not wearing riding helmets. Yet research shows that a properly fitted, safety-approved riding helmet can drastically reduce the risk of head injury. When a rider falls, the head is usually the first thing to impact the ground. The human skull can be shattered on impacts of 7 to 10 kilometers per hour, and horses gallop at over 60 kph. According to the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, three out of every five equestrian accident deaths are caused by brain injuries, and there is four times the risk of mortality for non-helmeted riders who become injured.

Fans of F.O.A.L Contest

Posted:

March 4, 2016

arista equestrian, f.o.a.l contest, arista foal, arista contest, foal fan of the week, horse contest, equine contest, horse apparel contest, riding apparel

F.O.A.L FAN OF THE WEEK - Like a foal, the F.O.A.L brand is full of spirit, energy and promise. F.O.A.L is an acronym for the emotions we feel every time we are with our horses: Freedom. Optimism. Adventure. Love. Every piece of clothing launched is designed with those four words in mind and the new collection is no exception. Celebrate the launch of the new F.O.A.L Spring 2016 Collection by becoming a fan for your chance to win!

Dress to Ride this Winter

Posted:

November 26, 2015

winter riding, riding in winter, horse riding in the winter, winter riding clothes, cooling horse out winter, equine quarter sheet, horse quarter sheet, weatherproof tack, horse riding jackets

There is nothing quite like heading out for a hack on an invigoratingly clear winter’s day with a horse eager to power through the snow. Riding through the winter is not only fun – it benefits your equine partner by keeping him physically and mentally fit year-round.

Rider Safety is Always in Fashion

Posted:

November 16, 2015

horse riding safely, safe horse riding, equine safety, horse helmets, safety stirrups

You could be dressed to kill if your riding boots do not sport a wedge heel. A moment of imbalance is all it takes for a foot to slide through the stirrup creating the potential for a nasty accident. Being dragged by the ankle rarely ends well for the rider. Wearing a boot with a low wedge heel and ankle support significantly reduces your chances of dangling upside down from an animal that flees danger first and asks questions later. Types of sole and tread also require consideration.