Your Equestrian Choice

Proper Equestrian Riding Techniques

2010-02-10T06:53:00.000-08:00

Proper equestrian riding techniques vary depending upon the type of riding you are doing, whether it is English, Western, jumping, dressage, or eventing. Overall, proper equestrian riding techniques are largely a matter of correct body position, clear communication, appropriate equipment and equestrian riding apparel, and being aware of your surroundings. No one is born with the knowledge or ability to ride properly. It takes years of training and dedicated practice.
As a novice rider, you have much to learn. It is far easier to learn the proper ways first, rather than having to spend years unlearning bad habits and replacing them with proper riding techniques. That's why taking lessons for the novice rider is such a great idea.
Take Lessons from a Reputable Trainer
Regardless of the type of riding you are interested in, riding lessons are always a good idea -- especially for the novice. It is too easy to learn bad habits and put yourself in danger by simply jumping on the first available horse. This is especially true when jumping horses.
Even experienced riders must regularly rely upon basic riding techniques to maintain their safety as well as the safety of their horse. Your trainer should be able to provide you with an outside perspective. It's amazing how many times you will be absolutely positive that your heels are down when, in fact, they are not. A reputable trainer can help you to fulfill your potential as a skilled horseman or horsewoman.
Riding lessons will teach you how to tack your horse up in the proper equestrian equipment, how to tighten the girth on English saddles to prevent slipping, how to select the equestrian riding apparel that is appropriate for your style of riding, how to develop the correct body position, and the best communication methods for interacting with your horse. Riding lessons will also educate you about the common rules of riding etiquette.
Proper Body Position and Riding Etiquette
For generations, young children and adults have been admonished to keep their chin up, shoulders back, and eyes forward. All you have to do is add heels down, elbows in, and hands quiet so that you will have a superior body position for horseback riding. As a rider, your job is to maintain control over your horse without appearing to do anything. Loud cues, abrupt movements, and lost tempers are never appropriate.
In the English riding world, there are specific rules of ring etiquette in place to ensure everyone's safety. Generally, this means that everyone should be travelling in the same direction and working basically on the same skills. Slower traffic keeps to the inside of the arena while faster moving riders stay to the outer edge of the ring. A full horse length should be maintained between riders. If passing is necessary, one is expected to inform the other rider quietly and to give a wide berth. If horses are moving in both directions, the general rule of thumb is to pass -- left shoulder to left shoulder -- just as though you were driving a car. These courtesies work to prevent countless accidents and emergencies and should be followed at all times.
Use Appropriate Equestrian Riding Apparel and Equipment
Appropriate equestrian riding apparel means you are wearing an approved helmet, riding boots, a well-fitting shirt that allows enough freedom of movement, and riding breeches. Jeans are not appropriate for English riding. English saddles will rub on the seams, causing chaffing, and the material will slip and risk a fall. Loose and baggy clothing is never considered appropriate equestrian riding apparel. It can snag, bunch, and interfere with your movement that may risk injury.
English saddles will help you to maintain the correct body position for flat work and jumping, just as an event a saddle will help a rider maneuver hills, waterways, and other obstacles and help a rider to maintain their seat safely. Being lightweight and relatively flat, English saddles provide you with a greater range of motion than a heavier, bulkier Western saddle. However, they also require a strong leg to help you maintain contact and communicate with your horse. There are many varieties of English saddles available. Before buying English saddles, discuss your options with your trainer.
Every step of your training will help you to develop the skills and habits necessary to ride safely and effectively. Wearing appropriate equestrian riding apparel, finding the correct style English saddles, and working regularly with a reputable trainer will all help you to develop proper riding techniques.

Anne Coyle is a writer for The Equestrian Corner. They provide high quality equestrian riding apparel and English saddles that will help you to ride safely and make the most of your time in the saddle.

Petr Eim - Equestrian Vaulting World Championship, Brno 2008

2010-02-08T04:46:00.001-08:00

Equestrian Field Management

2010-02-05T03:01:00.000-08:00

The field is the place you want your horse to feel relaxed, natural and content and you can help him achieve this by providing them with as many of the resources they would require naturally whilst keeping them safe and secure.
Fencing should never be made up of barbed wire or any other wire that horses could get themselves, their rugs or their shoes caught on. Many suitable fences include post and rails, electric tape secured correctly, solid hedgerows and walls. They should be high enough to prevent horses from jumping over them and gateways should be secure.

There should be adequate shelter for them to use to escape the heat or wind and rain. Natural shelter from trees or high hedgerows are good for this purpose but if this is not an option for you there are many form of field shelter that can be found on the market today that will suit most people's budgets and horses needs.

Water should always be available to the horse when in the field, natural streams with access points are suitable so long as there is no risk of pollution or of the horse slipping and falling in. Water troughs and buckets are just as good but will need to be cleaned and monitored frequently to ensure a fresh supply.

If in the colder seasons there is not much grass in the field you can provide them with extra feed in the form of hay. The safest way of doing this is leaving it loose on the floor but hay nets can be attached securely to a tall driving post that can be put in the field. This will help reduce the wastage that many people are reluctant to see occur. There are obvious risks involved with this but tied high enough and secure enough can often tackle these problems.

Tammy is a avid equine rider who loves to advertise the correct ways to be treating horses. Tammy works part time for Anything Equine who specialise in electric horse fencing as well as horse tack in the UK.

equestrian show jumping- soulja boy

2010-02-03T01:22:00.000-08:00

The Horse: No Animal Has Done More

2010-02-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

No animal has done more for the advancement of humankind than the horse. That said, it's hard to imagine ever using the horse as a source of food. But of course, that's how the man-horse relationship began.

The history books contain many references to the horse as prey some 50,000 years ago, when Cro-Magnon man had to hunt for his food. Seems that no one knows for sure just when or how the horse first became a helper to man. But many have reasoned that when early Cro-Magnon man needed to move his encampments from place to place, he started using the more docile horses as pack animals. So that would mark the beginnings of horse domestication.

Historians also believe that as man progressed from hunter to farmer, he continued using horses for food but also as helpers for herding. This would have brought about the need to jump onthe horse's back and follow along behind the herd. And that would mark the beginnings of the horse as a means of transportation for humans.

Recent archeological excavations in the Ukraine unearthed horses' teeth and evidence of the first "bridle." These findings have brought the experts to conclude that the beginnings of horseback riding began with the nomadic tribes of what is now Eastern Europe, in about 4000 BC. However, riding wouldn't really catch on until long after the invention of the wheel and the preferred use of horses as draft animals.

It is believed that the horse's domestication as a draft animal began sometime between 3000 and 2000 BC. Faster than the oxen and equids that had first been used to pull wheeled vehicles,the horse soon took over and this spawned the ever-improving development of yokes, breast straps, collars, bits and bridles.

Inevitably the horse was to become a major tool of warfare. Around 1350 BC the Hittite king Suppililiuma decided to go to war against the Mitannians, bought large numbers of horses, and engaged the services of a Mitannian horsemaster named Kikkuli. After defecting from the Mitanni, Kikkuli turned the king's horses into war machines that were ridden into battle until the king's militia had totally destroyed the Mitanni.

Now the bonding of man and horse had truly begun. Still, horseback riding was not for the elite, much less the general populace. For hundreds of years, horses were bred to be warhorses. But when Xenophon wrote "The Art of Horsemanship" in around 400 BC, the time was approaching when people would ride horses for more than herding, hunting and fighting.

Although America's wild horses had been tamed by the Indians, it is said that the Spanish explorers brought the first domesticated horses to North America in 1519 AD.

By the early 1700s, Rhode Island had become America's principal horse breeding state. Horses became the primary means of transportation, soon carrying riders on their backs and pulling people and materials in wheeled vehicles across the vastness of the New World.

By the 1800s the horse was a necessity of urban and rural life. The horse helped us build cities, farm the land, fight wars and settle a continent. No animal has done more for humankind.

Source: Free Articles

equestrian - circus

2010-01-29T04:22:00.001-08:00

Mucking Out and Deep Littering - Equestrian Care

2010-01-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

Mucking out is probably one of the first things that, after riding, any horse enthusiast becomes familiar with. Both processes are a form of removing excrement etc from the horses stable, shelter or barn in order to keep the horse kept in a clean and sanitary state of indoor living.

Mucking Out is the process of removing the horse's droppings and urine from the stable. The most common ways of doing this is with the use of stable tools. Some people use rubber gloves and a bucket to manually remove the droppings with their hands from the stable, leaving them the task of removing the urine. Other people use shavings forks or pitch forks (bedding dependant) to make their way through the bed removing the droppings and urine whilst banking the rest of the clean bedding up the walls in order to differentiate from clean and waste.

This form of stable cleaning leaves the horse sleeping on a completely clean bed and keeps bad smells to a minimum. There is a downside to this; you get through more bedding that you would due to the removal of large sections of urine soaked bedding each day. There is an alternative for those wanting to keep their horses on bedding.

Deep littering is mucking out, but without the removal of the urine each day. This in turn means that over time the horse developes a layer of urine soaked bedding on the base of their stable. This gives the horse a solid footing for those that can sometimes roll and scrape down to the cold hard floor. It also means that bedding costs are reduced. Having to only maintain a sensible height of the urine under fresh bedding on top, means that less is thrown away and a shallower top layer can be used. The downside to this method is the smell and urine stains that can sometimes occur. A professional should be consulted if horses have feet sensitive to wet / damp conditions as this method could exasserbate any problems they may have.

Tammy is a passionate equine rider who loves to promote the best ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for anythingequine.co.uk who specialise in equestrian boots as well as horse riding hats and safety helmets for equestrian use in the UK.

Christina Liebherr Equestrian Horse Show Jumping

2010-01-27T05:24:00.001-08:00

Equestrian Sports – For The Love Of Competition

2010-01-24T01:27:00.000-08:00

As a species human beings enjoy competition in all its forms whether it be a simple kick around in the park or taking part in a major event, either as part of a team or as an individual. Equestrian Sports fulfil this desire to compete ion every level, either as part of a team or as individual. You can represent yourself, your club or at the very highest level, your Country.

Riding demonstrate the harmony between Rider and Horse in a way that nothing else does. Men and women can both take part on level playing field which is rare in any sporting event. The speed and dexterity with which they and their mounts flash around the course can be quite astounding to a novice. This is the result of many months of training and developing the relationship between the pairing. Before this can be developed you first have to choose the horse you want to ride.

The size of the horse has to be one of the first criteria – what good is it to have a horse that can run like the wind and jump a mile if your feet dangle on the floor or you are too heavy for him. Next comes temperament, you need a horse that you can work with, they have personalities just like people and sometimes personalities clash. If you find that you rub each other up the wrong way it will show in the competition and you will always be fighting to control your mount. That can be disastrous in Dressage for example, where you need to work as one. The precise movements are almost a ballet and any disharmony would be like the orchestra playing out of tune.

In any Equestrian Sport the condition of the horse plays a major part, he needs to be healthy and happy, well fed, watered and groomed so that he is comfortable and ready for the excitement of the competition – after all you want to win a Rosette don’t you?

There are many competitions in the world of Equestrian Sports but there are some that stand head and shoulders above the rest – the Burleigh Horse Trials in the UK where the best three day eventers compete. The National Horse Show in America covers many fields of equestrian endeavor and is held in Palm Beach under the auspices of the National Show Horse Association of America who focus the competitions on good horsemanship.

One of the most popular events in the calendar is the Horse of the Year Show at Olympia, London, which is held in December each year. A huge party atmosphere prevails throughout the show which specializes in Show Jumping but with lots of other competitions thrown in as well. I have many happy memories of competing there, it was like the beginning of Christmas. The ultimate competition is of course, the Olympic Games where Equestrian Sports are one of the oldest categories.

Any competitive rider will love taking part in their chosen branch of Equestrian Sport and so will their horse providing an exciting show for spectators, the buzz is tremendous and if you win…

by: Tane Moores

Tane Moores has been riding since a very early age and has long been involved in all things Equestrian. The experience and knowledge gained over many years of involvement in the world of horses is freely shared with anyone who cares to read. Tane writes regularly at http://www.easyequestrian.com

Equestrian- Disco Club

2010-01-22T00:18:00.000-08:00

Equestrian Exercise - Why a Horse Walker Is a Must

2010-01-21T04:32:00.000-08:00

Horse walkers are a vital piece of equipment for anyone who is serious about horses and stabling. A Horse Walker is a useful time saving way of exercising your horses, and also of cooling them down after a ride. Other uses include halter breaking and nursing an ill animal back to health. Renewed daily use of a horse walker should result in a stronger, fitter horse. Using a horsewalker before a ride means the horse will be able to concentrate more on the job in hand when he is taken out and tacked up.

There are several different types of horsewalkers but they all have common features. Most horse walkers cater for four or six horses at a time although there are horse walkers on the market to suit almost any number of animals. Basic models are flat packed and assembled on site, but at the other end of the spectrum, stables can buy horse walkers with roofs on, with fencing and with a huge range of speeds and controls. Most walkers, as well as having variable speeds, also have a forward and a reverse motion.

Higher end models allow you to take pressure off parts of the horse which may be injured, to stop it bucking, as it may do in an open field, and preventing its wound from fully healing.

Safety is always the priority, and those looking to purchase an equine exerciser should make sure it suits both them and their horse, and has basic safety features such as an emergency cut off switch, should the horse become distressed for any reason. There should also be enough space within the horse walker for the animal to be able to relax.

Kerry Bradburn is a marketing consultant for Show-Jumps.co.uk, one of the UK's leading supplier of budget priced Horse Walkers

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kerry_Bradburn

Rider Fitness - Targeted for Equestrians

2010-01-21T04:30:00.000-08:00

What you can do to become a better and more efficient rider

Part #1 - Cardiovascular Fitness

There are many things each of us can do on a regular basis to improve our riding and better our horses. You do not need a lot of equipment or expensive gym memberships, you simply need a few minutes every other day. Before beginning any exercise program it is a good idea to consult your physician and it is imperative that you do so if you have any existing health problems.

We all know how important it is to regularly exercise our horses but we often neglect ourselves. Riding, regardless of type, is a very physical sport and requires great muscle control and stability. In this article, I will demonstrate some basic guidelines you can follow to improve your cardiovascular heath as well as your horses’.

The first component to any exercise program is Cardiovascular Fitness. There are many forms of cardiovascular activity, including riding. A good rule of thumb is if you feel winded or out of breath while riding you likely need to improve your cardiovascular capacity. Of course all horses are different and some require you to work harder than others, however if you are fatigued in 15 minutes or less of moderate riding you should consider supplementing your riding with another cardiovascular activity. Some examples of alternate activities include; power walking, running, cycling, swimming, cross-country skiing, hiking and many more. When participating in these activities you can monitor how hard you are working a number of ways. First, you can take your heart rate which for moderate activity should be between 70 - 85% of your maximum heart rate. You can find your maximum heart rate by starting with 220 if you are male and 226 if you are female and subtracting your age, then multiplying by your target heart rate zone (70-85%).

Methods of Measuring Cardiovascular Activity:

1) Heart Rate

Ex: Female age 30 yrs exercising at a moderate level of 70 - 85% of her maximum heart rate
Pulse taken on the wrist or neck over 60 secs.

Max - age=max HR, x % = heart rate zone

*226 - 30 = 196 x .70 = 137 beats per minute

*226 - 30 = 196 x .85 = 167 beats per minute

(*male use 220 as max)

137 - 167 bpm would be the heart rate zone for this person.
Another easier way, although less accurate, is the Perceived Exertion Scale.

2) Perceived Exertion

This method uses a scale of 1 -10, 1 being very easy and 10 being very difficult. For example, 1 would be resting on couch and 10 would be a full sprint.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

very easy ----------------->easy----------------->moderate---------->difficult

Using this method you would ask yourself "how hard am I working?" and you should be at about a 7 or 8 on the scale.

How often do I need to exercise for?
The minimum as recommended by Health Canada is 30 minutes of moderate activity (in your heart rate zone) 3 times a week. Now this is just a guideline and depending on your riding goals and how you feel when riding, you may need to do more or less. Keep in mind that your riding may also count as some of this time, that is if you achieve a heart rate in your training zone (70-85%) while riding.

Again, if you want to be able to ride longer without becoming out of breath, I suggest you increase the Cardiovascular training you do out of the saddle. You may ride 5 days a week but perhaps you are not riding efficiently? For example, if you added 1 day of another activity you would see and feel a difference in your daily rides!
One more suggestion, if you are counting your riding time as cardiovascular training, and you are not sure how hard you are working, try wearing a heart rate monitor. Sometimes it is difficult to check your heart rate while on your horse so a heart rate monitor easily displays it for you. I will discuss this topic in more detail next time!

Summary

Cardiovascular health is equally important for you as well as your horses. To ride efficiently we need to be fit and often riding alone is not enough. As riders, we all have different goals and aspirations and our fitness programs should reflect them! There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to riders or rider fitness, therefore we each need to assess our individual needs and that of our horses in order to build sound fitness programs that are as unique as we all are!

Written for www.ccriderss.com [http://www.ccriderss.com]

Jayne Essig B.Education, ACE Certified Personal trainer

Jayne has been involved with horses nearly all of her life, and has been devoted to Dressage for many years now. She has tailored her professional development and education around her keen interest in personal fitness and riding.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jayne_Essig

The Essential Guide to Equestrian Show Riding and Equestrian Riding Apparel

2010-01-21T04:29:00.000-08:00

Competitors in every sport want to be at their best. And being at your best includes the right apparel. Equestrian apparel is especially important because unlike casual riding, competitors in English riding must appear sleek, refined and in control at all times. In the show ring, the judges want to be looking at the way you and your horse communicate and how well you control and direct your horse. Loose fitting clothes have no place in show riding as safety is of the utmost importance. English riders also need their show clothes to reflect a neat, subdued and elegant air, so that their riding skills and the training of the horse shine through.

Dressage, hunt seat, and pleasure classes each have specific requirements regarding equestrian clothing. It is up to you to check with the sponsoring organization to get the details of your equestrian clothing needs.

Show Clothes From Head To Toe

Starting at the top, helmets are the most important accessory because they may save your life in a fall. An ASTM F-1163-01 and 04a/SEI certified helmet is a mandatory part of your equestrian clothing any time you are on or working around a horse. These helmets are tested for the rigors of riding. Helmets are sized by measuring the circumference of the rider's head.

The Importance Of A Show Coat

The first part of show clothes that judges will notice is a rider's show coat. A properly fitted jacket should give you a trim appearance with squared shoulders and a narrow waist. To check for a good fit, you should be able to take a pinch of approximately one-inch of fabric from the sides of the shoulders, which will allow the freedom of movement you need.

The waistline of your jacket should be at your natural waistline. The length of your show jacket should take it just to the bottom of your buttocks. Show jacket sleeves are measured at one inch below the wrist. Show coats are generally beige, gray or a dark color. Dressage show coats are black.

Underneath Your Show Coat

Under the show coat, women wear a ratcatcher and men wear a buttoned shirt. Getting the right fit is crucial to creating the right image while allowing you to ride safely and effectively. Ratcatchers are extra long-sleeved shirts with a short, upright collar. Ratcatchers and shirts should be form-fitting yet allow the rider the necessary freedom of movement with show clothes.

Riding shirt sleeves are generally two inches longer than normal clothing, to allow you the reach when jumping. After putting on your show jacket, one-fourth to one-half inch of your shirt cuff should show. Ratcatchers are normally white or of a pale color. A stock pin should be worn with your ratcatcher. Men are required to wear a button-down shirt with either a tie or a stock pin.

Jodhpurs And Breeches

Jodhpurs are riding pants with an elastic cuff that is worn over your horse riding boots. They are also essential if you are wearing paddock boots. When sizing for jodhpurs, measure your inseam plus one inch with your paddock boots on. If you will be wearing your jodhpurs in the show ring, try to find a color to match with your show jacket.

Breeches come in many styles, including front-zip, pull-on, side-zip, low-rise and full-seat. You'll want to make sure that your breeches maintain the overall trim and professional look of your equestrian clothing. Show breeches are normally beige. When shopping for most show clothes including Jodhpurs and Breeches, fabrics with Lycra are ideal in order to provide a trim fit with stretch for movement.

Boots Made For Riding

Your field or dress tall black boots must fit properly. Since manufacturers differ, you must use the sizing chart for the horse riding boots that you are buying. Most horse riding boot sizing charts will ask for calf and height measurements, plus your normal show size. Calf measurements are taken at the widest part of your calf, with socks and riding breeches on, while seated. The height measurement is from the base of your heel to the top of your lower leg plus one inch.

Tall horse riding boots must fit snugly in all the right places to give you the look and support you need to do well in the show ring and to complement the rest of your equestrian clothing. Those with hidden zippers will give a snug fit and will be easy to put on.

Dressing with the appropriate equestrian clothing for competitive events not only will showcase your command of the sport, but will also provide the safety you need when jumping. Wearing the proper show clothes also shows respect for the elegance and control of English riding.

Anne Coyle writes for The Equestrian Corner. They provide high quality show clothes and equestrian clothing that define the elegance of English riding while providing safety to the rider.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Coyle

Equestrian Sports - For The Love Of Competition

2010-01-21T04:24:00.000-08:00

As a species human beings enjoy competition in all its forms whether it be a simple kick around in the park or taking part in a major event, either as part of a team or as an individual. Equestrian Sports fulfil this desire to compete ion every level, either as part of a team or as individual. You can represent yourself, your club or at the very highest level, your Country.

Riding demonstrate the harmony between Rider and Horse in a way that nothing else does. Men and women can both take part on level playing field which is rare in any sporting event. The speed and dexterity with which they and their mounts flash around the course can be quite astounding to a novice. This is the result of many months of training and developing the relationship between the pairing. Before this can be developed you first have to choose the horse you want to ride.

The size of the horse has to be one of the first criteria - what good is it to have a horse that can run like the wind and jump a mile if your feet dangle on the floor or you are too heavy for him. Next comes temperament, you need a horse that you can work with, they have personalities just like people and sometimes personalities clash. If you find that you rub each other up the wrong way it will show in the competition and you will always be fighting to control your mount. That can be disastrous in Dressage for example, where you need to work as one. The precise movements are almost a ballet and any disharmony would be like the orchestra playing out of tune.

In any Equestrian Sport the condition of the horse plays a major part, he needs to be healthy and happy, well fed, watered and groomed so that he is comfortable and ready for the excitement of the competition - after all you want to win a Rosette don't you?

There are many competitions in the world of Equestrian Sports but there are some that stand head and shoulders above the rest - the Burleigh Horse Trials in the UK where the best three day eventers compete. The National Horse Show in America covers many fields of equestrian endeavour and is held in Palm Beach under the auspices of the National Show Horse Association of America who focus the competitions on good horsemanship.

One of the most popular events in the calendar is the Horse of the Year Show at Olympia, London, which is held in December each year. A huge party atmosphere prevails throughout the show which specializes in Show Jumping but with lots of other competitions thrown in as well. I have many happy memories of competing there, it was like the beginning of Christmas. The ultimate competition is of course, the Olympic Games where Equestrian Sports are one of the oldest categories.

Any competitive rider will love taking part in their chosen branch of Equestrian Sport and so will their horse providing an exciting show for spectators, the buzz is tremendous and if you win....

Tane Moores has been riding since a very early age and has long been involved in all things Equestrian. The experience and knowledge gained over many years of involvement in the world of horses is freely shared with anyone who cares to read. Tane writes regularly on Horse Facts and Equestrian Sports at The Easy Equestrian

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tane_Moores

Learn to Become an Equestrian

2010-01-21T04:21:00.000-08:00

Are you interested in becoming an equestrian? If you're trying to study all about the sport, you should definitely include the equestrian world in Portugal. The sport is one of the most popular in the country and different equestrian products made in Portugal are some of the best. If you want to learn from the best, all you have to do is look up the history of the sport in the country.

While it may be difficult for you to actually go to Portugal to learn about equestrianism, you can easily look up different websites online to learn about them. My friend who's into a lot of sports got hooked about it after his visit to Portugal a few years ago and I was surprised that he was able to find so many information about it even though he hasn't gone back to the country yet.

For instance, Portugal has a staple place in the Working Equitation European Cup because of the number of equestrian centers they have in the country and their passion for the sport. More and more people getting into the sport every year, and different accessories such as saddle kits are continually being developed and improved. Some of the best equestrians are also in Portugal. This mainly has to do with the country's history. Horse driving has always been a big part of Portugal's history that's why it's not surprising for it to escalade to one of their major sports.

Another factor that contributes to the success of horse riding in Portugal is its land area. The topography of the plains in the country is a big factor on why and how they can breed topnotch horses. The country is actually known for breeding Garrano and Sorraia horse breeds, two of the best endemic breeds in Portugal. And as mentioned before, there are a lot of equestrian centers to train the riders.

Because of the deep roots of equestrian Portugal, it's not difficult for people to get interested with the sport and with the country itself.

If you're also interested in reading more about equestrian Portugal, there are more online sources you'll find which includes an in-depth look at the sport and the different competitions that Portugal equestrians currently participate in.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erika_Ayala