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Saddle Girth – How tight is too tight?

Are you guilty of doing up your horse’s girth as tight as you can in the belief it gives your saddle and you the best security? Well Australian researchers have found that a girth done up too tightly can have a negative effect on your horse’s performance.

The usual tension applied to a saddle girth to keep a saddle on a Thoroughbred racehorse is around 13kg but researchers found anything over 10kg could alter the horses performance.

Although they still have to work out why, it’s thought that it may force the horse to adopt different breathing patterns involving a greater use of the diaphragm which in turn affects performance. Alternatively, the soft tissue and fluid in the thoracic wall (the part between the neck and abdomen, enclosed by the ribs) could be displaced during exercise.

As yet, no-one knows for sure. Some horses don’t seem particularly affected by girth tightness but others do. Saddle placement also played a part, so more research is needed. Whatever the effects of your saddle girth just make sure you don’t leave your girth too loose.

Is now the time to lavish attention on your horse?

Posted by debbie | Filed under General Info

Deb n Sh'VelHow Grooming and Pampering Your Horse a little, can go a long way.

When money is tight and costs are rising horse owners can be put under tremendous financial pressure. Often cutting corners on the quality of hard feed, giving smaller hay nets, turning out for longer on already poached paddocks, fooling themselves into believing that those small grass shoots have the same nutritional value as rich spring grass... read more

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No Comments » | January 20th, 2009

FEI TV – Online Equestrian Video …

Posted by debbie | Filed under Equestrian News

FEI Equestrian TV previewFEI, "Fédération Equestre Internationale", has just launched what is probably the best online Equestrian TV deal you could ever wish for.

Featuring an absolutely fantastic range of mainstream equestrian events and competitions for us all to watch in comfort.

Sign Up Now ... and prepare yourself for a summer of excellent equestrian entertainment Including a superb line-up of live events .... - Read Full Post -

June 2009:
Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ 2009 - St. Gallen(SUI)
Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ 2009 - Rotterdam (NED)

July 2009:
Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ 2009 - Aachen (GER)
Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ 2009 - Falsterbo (SWE)
Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ 2009 - Hickstead (GBR)

August 2009:
Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ 2009 - Dublin (IRE)
Alltech FEI European Dressage Championships 2009 - Windsor (GBR)
Alltech FEI European Dressage Championships 2009 - Windsor (GBR)
Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships 2009 - Windsor (GBR)
Alltech FEI European Dressage Championships 2009 - Windsor (GBR)
Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships 2009 - Windsor (GBR)
Alltech FEI European Dressage Championships 2009 - Windsor (GBR)
Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships 2009 - Windsor (GBR)

September:
HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2009 - Fontainebleau(FRA)
HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2009 - Fontainebleau (FRA)
HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2009 - Fontainebleau (FRA)
HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2009 - Fontainebleau (FRA)

October 2009:
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2009 / 2010 - Oslo (NOR)
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2009 / 2010 - Helsinki (FIN)
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2009 / 2010 - Lyon (FRA)

November 2009:
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2009 / 2010 - Verona (ITA)
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2009 / 2010 - Stuttgart (GER)
FEI Equestrian TV preview
December 2009:
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2009 / 2010 - London (GBR)
Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2009 / 2010 - Mechelen (BEL)

Be sure to check out the preview videos to see just how superb the video quality is and to see what a bargain price FEI TV is when you sign up for the year.

It's a must have for fans of all equestrian disciplines, from dressage to showjumping, driving and eventing. It's the next best thing to being there ... Sign Up Now ...

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No Comments » | January 7th, 2009
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