Competition Gear - Get Ready for Next Season!
Posted by Equus Emporium on 21st Dec 2014
Most of the big events are over for the season and a majority of horses will be having some time off spelling in the paddock for the summer. This is the perfect time to check all your gear for wear and tear, and to clean it ready for the new competition season.
Here are the Equus Emporium Top 5 Tips for preparing equipment for the next competition season:
- Check all leather equipment. No matter what discipline you are involved in, there is nearly always leather involved. And where there is leather, there is stitching. Check all stitching on leather work, if it appears to be coming loose or there is a thread popping out then you will want to get that looked at by your local saddlery store. Pay close attention to the buckles or billets on the reins, these are our connection to the horse and you can only imagine how bad it could be if these were to break.
The Equus Emporium Amelie Leather Bridle comes complete with brand new reins, shop here: http://www.equusemporium.com.au/horse/amelie-leat...
- Girths/Cinches are another very important piece of equipment to check. Over time girths can stretch which can compromise the strength of your girth. Check the stitching or where the buckles are held in place for any excessive wear. Look at the buckles and make sure they are not bent or rusting. If you notice any little problems you should still replace the girth before it fails. I can't imagine it would be too funny when galloping around a cross country course if your girth was to snap!
Equus Emporium have many different girths on offer, starting at a very reasonable $35 for a strong fabric girth, shop here:
http://www.equusemporium.com.au/horse/girths/fabric-girth
- Wash your grooming kit! This is probably one of the most important things to clean but one of the most forgotten. Bacteria is easily transferred between horses via brushes, hoof picks etc. Where possible try to keep brushes seperate for all horses. When it comes to cleaning your brushes there are several different methods. One of these methods is to use a curry comb to remove any hair from the brush, then soak the brush in warm water with a small amount of detergent (if the brush has a wooden back then don't soak for too long and try to keep the wooden back out of the water). Remove the brushes when clean and leave to dry on a towel. Ensure that you clean the tack box itself as it can also harbour dirt & germs.
We have lots of nice brushes at Equus Emporium, check them out here:
http://www.equusemporium.com.au/grooming/
- It is just as important to check our own gear as it is the horses gear. Check competition jackets for their general fit, any loose threads or buttons falling off. Good presentation is important in any discipline, you want to represent yourself, your horse and your associates in the best way possible. Check competition jackets for faded patches, stains or tears. Ensure that the jacket does not need tailored (no extra points for showing your belly button to the judge!).
At Equus Emporium we love this Navy Softshell Competition Jacket:
http://www.equusemporium.com.au/rider/bf-softshell-navy-competition-jacket
- Last but not least, check the rules! The rules for your chosen discipline can change at any time so make sure you stay vigilant and check the rules regularly. Some of the most controversial rules surround the subject of bits. Make sure you read the rulebook thoroughly and if you aren’t sure ask your instructor for advice. At Equus Emporium we have a wide range of bits to suit many needs, if you still aren't sure if a particular bit on our website is 'legal' or not simply email us at contact@equusemporium.com.au and we will endeavour to find out for you.
See our ever growing range of bits here: