Horse

Horse accessories: where to look

Headcollars, lead ropes and bridles

The headcollars and lead ropes range from fleece-lined nylon headcollars to leather show headcollars. Bridles, double bridles and reins are in bridlework and accessories, along with replacement nosebands and cheekpieces.

Bits

Nearly sixty bits : snaffles, Baucher, bits with a tongue port or double-jointed. The choice depends on the horse's mouth and the rider's hands. Measure the width of the mouth before ordering, or bring the old bit to the shop.

Exercise boots

Open-front tendon boots for jumping, closed boots for flatwork, overreach boots and fetlock boots: exercise boots limit knocks and strikes. Choose them to fit the cannon, neither too tight nor too loose, and take them off as soon as you are back at the stable so the skin can breathe.

Lungeing and training aids

For groundwork, a 12-metre lunge line such as the Premiere gives the horse a circle large enough to trot without strain. The training aids (elastic, T de T Pirelli, HKM Thiedemann) are adjusted gradually and used for short sessions, preferably with an instructor's advice.

Textiles and comfort under the saddle

A horse textiles brings together saddle pads, exercise sheets and half pads. A sheepskin, gel or memory foam half pad, such as those from Ronzon, BR or HKM, spreads the pressure of the saddle over the back.

Choosing the right size of equipment

Shetland, Pony, Cob and Full sizes correspond to builds, not exact heights: an average-sized riding horse generally takes Full, a small horse or large pony Cob. For a headcollar, measure around the nose and the distance from the corner of the lips to the poll. For boots, measure around the cannon. If in doubt, call us with these measurements.