8 minute read
Equipment: The power of go
All I want for Christmas ...
( ... besides a HorseVibes subscription)
SHAE HERWIG: Manager, The Saddle Hub
I would LOVE an Equine Eye Horse Float Camera for Christmas to stop me worrying about my fur babies when travelling long distance. We have a three-horse float with a kitchen in the front, so I can’t see the horses through the window. The Equine Eye camera will solve this problem! And it’s wireless so I can also use it as a reversing camera when hitching up the horse float - super handy.
$250
equine-eye.com
Santa, I found a set of 12 metal dressage arena markers at Kingston Horse Supplies that would be perfect for training at home. And with all the virtual competitions during COVID it will make filming my tests much easier. They’re made from steel, so they’ll last well, with large easy to see letters. Perfect!
$189.95
MELISSA GOODSON: Advertising Representative
I would love a pair of black or silver Freejump stirrups. I love my jumping, and when a friend let me try out her Freejumps, they felt like magic. The stability and leg control were amazing and a pair would help me reach my 2021 show jumping goals for sure!
Prices start at $375
equestrianhub.com.au
And I would be super happy to find a Kerrits Ice Fil® Long Sleeve Solid Shirt in my Christmas stocking. I’d wear it when I was riding, and as a professional photographer, it would also keep me nice and cool while I’m outside shooting events. The Ice Fil® Lite fabric technology can reduce skin temperature by up to five degrees, as well as giving UPF+30 protection. Plus, the shirt looks great!
$95
www.equissentials.com.au
All I want for Christmas ...
( ... besides a HorseVibes subscription)
KRISTAL BYRON: Equestrian Hub Membership Manager
All I really want for Christmas is a 2HAL-L600 Prestige Series Eurofloat in dark grey. It’s a twohorse angle float with a kitchen, fully padded rump bars, and fold up beds to sleep on while I’m away camping with my horses. Santa, instead of your sleigh, maybe this year your reindeers could pull my new Eurofloat with everyone’s presents safe inside? Just an idea :)
$19,990
I’m also in desperate need of an Elite Saddle Company Western saddle with full Quarter Horse bars to fit my barrel-shaped Quarter Horse mare. The design I love is the Silver Show Saddle made from ornately tooled Argentinean cow leather with fully engraved silver detailing. Just one will do. Thanks, Santa.
$1,150
ENYA CROCKFORD: Contributor
Santa, did you know that a good quality rug is one of the things that makes horse owners’ lives easier? And the Rambo Wallaby Duo fits the bill perfectly! It’s specially designed to stop rubs and wither pressure, it’s versatile for multiple seasons with a removable neck rug and liner, and its weave pattern makes it really tough, which is a necessity with my serial rug ripper!
$249
I find it much easier to splurge on my horses than myself, but as a Christmas gift I couldn’t say no to this J-Margot Competition Jacket! A lovely fit, classy, and the flower pattern on the sleeve and collar adds just enough style without going overboard for my conservative-ish taste. It’s also both breathable and waterproof – a big plus for our sometimes extreme weather conditions.
$595
Western spur with ornamental strap and buckle.
EQUIPMENT
Fine tuning the forward button
Ever been dazzled by the apparently endless variety of whips, crops and spurs? Unsure what to use and when? CHRISTINE ARMISHAW is on a mission to clear up the confusion.
Whips, crops and spurs all have something in common, collectively they are artificial aids designed to improve your horse’s ‘go’ button. The former are carried in-hand, ready to encourage your horse forward with a touch or a flick. Spurs are worn around the heel of each foot, allowing pressure to be applied on both sides of your horse, keeping your hands whip-free and ready to do other things, like steer!
Sounds simple enough, but the challenge is down to the sheer number of choices available. How long should a whip be? When does a whip become a crop? Which spurs are best suited for what purpose? With an ocean of options, selecting the right tools to suit you, your horse and your chosen discipline can be quite the mission.
Let’s explore the world of movementenhancers in more detail. By the end of this article you’ll know when the Prince of Wales is required, what makes roller balls popular, and the maximum whip length you can use in the jumping ring without getting eliminated.
Whips and crops
Structurally, a whip features a length of stick, with a thicker area for gripping at the top, tapering down to a ‘tickler’ or ‘lash’ at the business end. By definition, a crop is technically a short whip, primarily for use while jumping. It usually has a leather flap or ‘popper’ at the end and a loop by the handle. However, it’s never advisable to put your hand right through this loop while on horseback as there’s a risk of damaging or breaking your wrist if you fall off. Instead, it’s best to put only your thumb through the loop, enabling the crop to come away freely if you happen to part ways with your mount.
Crops are commonly used in show jumping and the cross country phase of eventing. As per Equestrian Australia (EA) rules, they are not to exceed 75cm in length. If your whip is longer than that, you’ll be eliminated. You’re allowed to use a longer whip for dressage and working on the flat, but you are strictly forbidden to carry or use it when riding over poles or any other obstacle, even when you’re in the schooling area. In eventing, the horse should never be hit with your whip more than twice for one incident, or three times in a row for show jumping. Crops of up to 75cm are also allowed in the majority of show horse classes.
Most EA dressage tests, including para-dressage, allow the use of a whip. Riders can carry a whip of up to 120cm on a horse, or up to 100cm on a pony. It always pays to check the conditions of the test you are planning to ride first. Across all disciplines, you are never allowed to use a whip on your horse’s head or leave visible marks on your horse’s body - this is deemed excessive use. In the sports of endurance and reining, whips and crops are not allowed at all.
Dressage whips: usually riders can carry a whip of up to 120cm on a horse, or up to 100cm on a pony – but check the rules first.
A riding crop with leather flap or ‘popper’ at the end and a loop by the handle.
Spurs
Given that our aim should
always be to use the least amount of force required to get the result we want from our horse, some riders hold the view that spurs are too harsh. However, in reality it’s more uncomfortable for the horse or, in many cases, stubborn pony, to be repeatedly kicked before it finally moves off - not to mention incredibly tiring for the legs of the rider! This habit also tends to make the horse lazier and even less responsive as time goes on: it switches off and becomes dull to the leg aid.
The difference between using your heel against your horse’s side versus a spur is like the difference between being pushed with a flat palm or a pointed finger. A spur delivers a more direct point of pressure into a smaller area and so will elicit a quicker response. This is a good thing. It means you should only need to squeeze once before the horse moves forward, then you can leave it alone and stop nagging. With the right pair of spurs, you can train your horse to become more responsive to your ‘go’ signal and thus become much lighter in your aids. This is essential if your intention is to move up through the grades.
Which spurs to select
In making the right spur choice, you need to take into account your own needs as well as those of the horse, and the discipline you compete in. Styles vary, as do the rules around them. Prince of Wales spurs are very traditional and commonplace in a variety of disciplines. Their shank is slightly curved with a flat end. In contrast, at the end of the shank of a roller ball spur there’s a rotating ball that pivots on either the vertical or horizontal plane. These can be a nice choice for a sensitive horse, or a horse that has never experienced spurs before as they exert a less concentrated pressure. They also reduce the possibility of leaving marks on your horse’s sides.
Swan-neck spurs are shaped as the name suggests, which allows them to reach higher than Prince of Wales spurs. These can be useful for reaching a specific spot on your horse’s flank, and can help prevent the need for a longlegged rider to pinch upwards with their heels. Hammerhead spurs are squared off rather than round at the end, which can give a stronger ‘go’ aid to a lazy horse. Rowel spurs feature a rotating flat disk at the end of the shank. The disk may be either smooth-edged or have serrated teeth or ‘tines’ around it. Dummy spurs have little to no shank and
