Horses are an incredibly enjoyable pass time for many around the globe and taking care of them is difficult but rewarding. That being said there are a few basics that everyone should know about horse grooming that can make the process worlds easier. Horse riding equipment, horse saddles, are just some of the things that you will need to become a proficient rider and understanding how to care for each of them is a great way to start learning more about this exciting sport.
Saddles are the first and foremost part of any riding kit, as a rider, your saddle is perhaps the most important thing to purchase. Saddles can vary in many aspects including price, size, colour, material and more. Understanding how to care for a saddle can help elongate the life of this piece of equipment greatly. The average saddle costs about £300-£500. These prices can vary according to where you live, what brand of saddle you buy, and what type of saddle you buy. Those saddles that are specially made for things like hurdles and speed riding may cost more as they are specially designed. On average, the life of a saddle that is used frequently if properly cared for can be upwards of 20 years.
The easiest way to keep you saddle looking great is to wash and condition it regularly. One of the most deleterious elements on a saddle is dirt, grime, and dry air. Keeping a saddle free of dirt and grime and oiling it regularly can prevent cracking, peeling, and other forms of damage that may make it unusable. Saddle pads are another important part of any riding essentials. Your saddle pad helps to secure the saddle and protect the horse from injury from the saddle. This can also help to make any ride a bit smoother. You need to first make sure that the saddle pad is the right thickness. Those that are too thick can hurt the integrity of the saddle and make it dangerous to ride and difficult to cinch your saddle tight enough. Those that are too thin can bring the saddle in contact with the horses skin which can cause chafing, skinning, and even back injury if the saddle is cinched too tight.
Choose a saddle pad that is of medium heft so that the horse and the rider are both protected. Because the saddle pad comes in contact with the skin of the horse it is important to keep it clean and dry. When the pad becomes too sodden with sweat or grime it should be washed to help prevent irritation of the horse's skin. It should also be kept clean to help elongate the life of the pad. The pad is one of the most important pieces of equipment as it protects both the rider and the horse. If the pad becomes thread bare, torn, or overly damaged it should be replaced immediately. The average life span of a saddle pad is only a couple of years as it is made of less durable material than the saddle.
Guest post by Danny Donchev
Any type of horse riding usually begins with the rider buying riding clothes. Even a person simply going for a pleasure ride will benefit from the correct riding apparel.
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