H.A.Y Equestrian

Check out parts #1 and #2  Confidence on the Cross Country Jumping cross country can be pretty daunting, the solid jumps and pace take a little to get used to, but there is no reason why you can't go out and have fun on the XC course. I only started XC with Gigi last year, we didn't have the opportunity to go out and give it a go before then , the closest we had been was jumping the occasional small log. So when we got the opportunity to go out to a cross country course we wanted to make the most of it.  The Venue Pick a nice venue, well kept, good quality jumps. This really helps to settle some nerves. Just knowing the ground and jumps are of good quality helps. A good quality venue will also have similar jumps of varying sizes, this is helpful for getting used to what the jump looks like, then going up a bit.  Company Take a friend, a confident friend will help, or one with more experience. Use them as a lead from the start, jump a few fen...

Here are 5 tips to making life at the stables during winter that little bit easier. With short days, bad weather and dark nights, working horses around work can be a difficult job. I love having my horse but some days I just need to make my life easier, here are 5 of my life hacks. 1. An alternative to tying haynets These little babies make life so much easier when tying nets up, just attach one to the string of the net and clip to the underside to secure the net to a ring.  I have done this to all of my haynets, they work so well, especially with a horse who normally untied the nets and throws them in poo during the night.  2. Steaming Haynets  Okay you might think "not everyone can afford that luxury" well think again. Everyone can afford a hay steamer, they are super easy and cheap to make. Simply get an old wheelie bin, barrel, container with a lid and a cheap wallpaper steamer from a local hardware store.  Remove the ste...

What Is An Anky Pad? In short, a numnah. This pad is a bit like a polypad but better!!! I got mine for just under £50 from a local tack shop, I had been searching for a blue pad for a while but nothing was coming up, then I found this one and had to have it. I bought the pad very much on impulse and probably wouldn't have if I had longer to contemplate spending £50 on a product i'd never seen or used before. There was a brief moment where I put the pad down, but they only had one in blue so I quickly picked it back up. There was a matching pair of Bridleway bell boots so I got those too, but more about my bell boot choices another time! For Gigi I chose the Baltic Sea Dressage Pad, I did not see any other shape options in the shop and I use this pad with my GP saddle, I believe you can get ones made for jumping saddles and the writing on these reads "ATC" there are also matching boots and bandages available in the Anky range. Personally I like the look of the dre...

Micklem Vs. Stubben Gigi In Her Stubben Bridle Okay, it could be any bridle but in this case I will be comparing my new Micklem with my previous Stubben. Firstly I love my Stubben bridle, it fits Gigi perfectly, is a lovely shade of brown and is amazing quality all round. I love that I have a choice whether I want to use the flash or not and the fittings are all brass coloured. If a piece breaks I know I can easily find another to replace it. I have had this bridle for almost 3 years, it has matching plaited reins and the shade of brown matches my other tack amazingly. I recently got my Micklem bridle as I had heard about them and wanted to try one for myself. I got the multibridle as the fittings are all brass coloured, the competition bridle has stainless steel fittings. The multibridle also has a loop on the noseband, this means the bridle doubles up as a lunge cavesson. There is less bulk on Gigi's face when lunging. There are also a few other ways to use the multibri...

Sywell Horse Show Sywell show is a local show to me, it is run once a year and takes me about 20 minutes to hack over. Me and Gigi have been to this show three years running and have tried a variety of classes. We mostly do show jumping however we have tried some showing classes in the past. I don't show Gigi very often due to her rubbed patch of hair. The show jumping at Sywell is often challenging and the course is designed by one of my favourite course designers. The show is also run on grass, I normally attend shows with arenas due to having a lot of amazing equestrian centers locally. This year Sywell show was a qualifier for the Sunshine Tour held at Hickstead.  80cm 80cm 80cm 90cm 90cm 90cm Jump Off 90cm Jump Off  The Sunshine Tour The sunshine tour is one of the biggest unaffiliated championships in the UK. It runs for 3 days and offers Dressage, Showing, Show Jumping and open classes. There is also the option to keep yo...

Overview I'm back with another Carr & Day & Martin review, this has to be my favourite brand for equestrian care products. They make a huge range of products from things you can use on a day-to-day basis to more professional products designed for the show ring. The product featured in this review is their Cornucrescine Ointment. This product is designed to promote healthy hoof growth by being massaged into the coronet band with your fingers or a toothbrush. It is vital to rub the product in properly as the ointment contains keratin producing cells which need to be stimulated. On the tub it also says the product can be used for helping hair re-growth on rubbed patches or scars. I thought as there are already some reviews on its use for hooves I would put it through its paces for the growth of Gigi's mane. Application To apply this product I rubbed a small amount on my first three finger tips, I then pressed them onto my clean fingertips on the other...

What is Likit? Likits are a British treat brand for horses. They specialize in making a variety of toys designed to be used in the horse's stable and/or field. The toys are designed to be fitted with special licks and treats which have been designed to be eaten over a long period of time. Likit is best known for the Likit Holder, this is the most basic of Likit toys. To use this toy it is hung up in the stable, a large lick is placed between two plastic plates, the idea is to hang the toy away from walls. If the toy can be pushed against the wall it makes getting the treat easier. Some of the toys are more difficult to use so it is vital to pick one suited to your horse. Likit also make a Snack-a-ball, this is a ball which is given to the horse on the floor. This toy can be used both in the stable and out in the field. The ball is filled from one side with small Likit Snacks, feed can also be used such as pony nuts however sticky items are not recommended. Inside the ball is a...