How Essential Is Horse Jump Equipment?
If you are an aspiring equestrian who has decided it’s time to start jumping, you’ll want to know how essential horse jump equipment is. There are a variety of different pieces of equipment that you can use to make the process as easy as possible. These equipment include breeches, a helmet, body protectors, and a combination. It’s also important to know the different types of fences and how you should set up your jump.
1. Breeches
Breeches are essential to horse jump equipment for any equestrian. This is because they help maintain a good grip on the saddle. They also provide safety.
Riding breeches come in a variety of different styles and designs. For example, they can have a full seat or a knee patch. Some of these have elastic ankle straps to secure the legs. Others have a zip fly. In addition, breeches can be made of several different fabrics.
For instance, some of the more traditional types are made of cotton. Other breeches are made of denim or stretch denim fabric. These varieties are great for keeping cool in summer and warm in winter.
2. Helmet
Whether you’re a competitive or leisure rider, helmets are essential to horse jump equipment. They protect against traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures. In addition, they help keep your head cool.
Equestrian helmets come in all shapes and sizes. Typically, they are lined, padded, and ventilated and have a harness that keeps the helmet in place.
Several organizations regulate the safety of horse riding helmets. These include the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American Society for Testing and Materials, the British Standards Institute, and the European Union Commission.
The Safety Equipment Institute (SEI) certifies a helmet’s performance and quality procedures. In addition, it requires manufacturers to submit a quality audit and liability insurance, and its representatives visit the manufacturer each year.
3. Body protectors
Body protectors are an essential piece of equestrian equipment. They help protect you from a horse’s kicks and cushion you from falls. Wearing one will also make you feel more confident in the saddle.
Body protectors are made from various materials. They can be crafted from high-density foam to absorb impact. Some also have reinforced hip support. A newer version is made from perforated foam to increase airflow.
When buying a body protector, look for a label indicating its level of protection. For example, level 3 provides the highest degree of protection.
Some companies offer air vests, which are lightweight and provide extended coverage. These are a good choice if you want an affordable alternative.
4. Open water fences
To build a cross-country course, you should know about the various fences available. Each type can be used to challenge your horse, but the best one will be the one that suits your needs. There are many advantages to putting up a robust and well-built fence. It will increase your time on the horse and also prevent injuries.
Wire fences are the least visible. They provide enough protection but not enough to attract a horse to the other side. You can add boards or strips of material to make the wire more secure.
5. Combination elements
Combination elements of horse jump equipment are used in various competitions. They include the oxer, the Liverpool, and the spread. The oxer is a triple bar spread out to a height of 5 cm.
Unlike in most other competitions, you do not have to jump all the obstacles in the course. You can choose to skip the challenges or do them in order. The first obstacle on the path should be inviting but not so intimidating that the horse will refuse to jump it.
As with all obstacles, you need to know which parts of the block to judge. For example, a wall jump looks like a brick wall, but it is made of lightweight material.
6. Proper jumping position
Most of us are no doubt engulfed in the horsey stuff that is our day jobs, but there are a few things we should heed while in the saddle. The most important is a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Other things like the right-sized wardrobe and a good night’s sleep are decent. After all, the horse is still a horse, not to mention an excellent mate. You will also need to find the time to enjoy quality family time. It is in this context that a proper horse jumping position is a matter of paramount importance. More
