In my recent quest for a jump saddle I have been doing a little bit of digging on what is out there at the moment.  Now I have actually settled for a second hand Pessoa jump saddle due to budget constraints, but in my search I have come across a couple of major winners for the day I win the lottery and can purchase any jump saddle I fancy.  So, first up on wish list has to be:


1) The Lamborghini Limited Edition GP1 Jump Saddle - yes this saddle is absolutely to die for.  I would literally consider selling a small part of my soul for this baby.  Now I know the red leather seat is not for everyone, but they do it in all black also, but for me the red leather seat makes it special and different.  You simply cannot beat Italian leather.  More info here: http://www.arkaequipe.com/collections/tonino-lamborghini/products/lamborghini-gp1-limited-edition-ex-display?variant=17279800775

2) The Hermes Cavale Jump Saddle - this saddle is simply gorgeous, I have seen it in the flesh at a friends house and it is to die for.  The leather is super soft and supple, the shape is perfect and I can almost imagine it sprouting wings to take you over the fence.  Whether you are serious rider or not, this saddle will make your rider enjoyment just that little bit more amazing, stuff the handbag, get a saddle: http://uk.hermes.com/equestrian/for-the-stable/bags-and-containers/boites-a-selle/configurable-product-e-box-89151.html?color_hermes=FEU&size_hermes=small model

When I win the lottery, I shall have both ;)

On my Pessoa, I have to say this is a super comfy gorgeous saddle, and I really do love it.  I love the suede knee rolls and the lovely tan colour as well as the fact it is so soft!  For someone on a budget where the seven thousand pound Lambo is not quite an option, I would highly recommend the Pessoa.

OK, so, it was one of my rehab projects first One Day Event, I kind of had a feeling that everything might not go to plan, but then, you never know.  I have had him a couple of months by this point and thought I might as well give it a whirl, what's the worst that can happen, right ?!

So after hours of prep including tack cleaning, pony cleaning, plaiting and packing the day finally arrives.  Now I have done ODE's before on my mare, and have always gotten there and thought why oh why am I doing this :) but then once you get rolling, its all good.

Dressage was first up, the warm up was good, little bit stiff and nervous, but that's all fine, mainly from me not the horse !  Bearing in mind I have been practicing this for months, and the BE92 dressage test back to front, yet I still manage to forget part of it in my panic.  Bludy brilliant.  But, other than that, it did go OK.  We made it round without any horse related incident and held it together.  So it was a bit stiff and we spooked at the odd marker and nearly fell out of the arena, but hey, who cares, it was our first event on a horse that had been due to be put to sleep, I couldn't complain.

So, off we go back to the horsebox to hang out for a bit before the Show Jumping.  I go off to walk the XC course and my trustie helper sticks with the horse.  Now the XC course is pretty easy looking, lots of roll tops which are inviting and even the dodgy fences look pretty acceptable as they aren't too big, looks all good.  Its my favourite part of the day after all.

I had head back to the horsebox, grab my stead and head off to the SJ round.  We fly round with the last pole down that was coming down hill, my fault as I should have got his head up a little and kicked on, but its all learning experience and the SJ was super smooth and fun, no real problems there.

So, back to the horsebox again to ready ourselves for the XC.  A few swigs on the hip flask and a few tack adjustments and we are off.  My nerves have gone and I'm actually excited for this part, cannot wait to get there, just me and my horse flying about.  But NO, it was not to be, fence number 4 is a ditch and my horse apparently dislikes these things immensely and gives a big NO on three separate occasions to the point where we are politely asked to depart the course.

What the blooming heck, the only bit I am waiting desperately for all day, my only reason for going and we don't even get to jump the course, sad blooming times.  I thought they might let me continue on, but no, apparently at these posher events you have to do the walk of shame home, very sad :(

But on the good side, it was a great experience and I learnt that this horse copes with competition environments with ease, does not get tense and enjoys himself.  We do however need to work on ditches !  But keeping in mind I have no history on this horse whatsoever, I am pleased we went along and enjoyed the day.  Next time I am hoping we make it around the whole of the XC though, fingers crossed.

Next up Merrist Wood Eventer Challenge, woop woop, hopefully no ditches hey !!

What a brilliant weekend.  Took two of my horses to Frensham Sponsored Ride and it as great.  One of my project ponies was ridden by a good friend of mine, who rode him amazingly without any issues whatsoever.  Jumped all the jumps, stood quietly when needed and had a great time.  Also my 4 year olds first outing since he was broken a few months ago and for a baby arab, he was awesome.  Perfectly well behaved, jumped like a dear over cross country fences he has never seen before, went through water and over all sorts of different things, what a great day.

I think I learnt that no matter what people say, you can always prove them wrong.  On each of the horses I took yesterday I was told no you shouldn't take them on.  My Arab, I bought him as an unbroken three year old colt pure bred Arab.  Everyone said NOOOO, don't buy one of those flighty cotton wool ponies.  Well how wrong could they have been ?!  He was a diamond and has been since the day he arrived, not just to ride but also just his general temperament, I will never take an insult about an Arab again.  He has jumped everything and anything I have put him at and hasn't argued a single step.  That pony is an amazing little dude.

And as for my project ponies, well yes one is a bit poorly with some bruised bones in his feet and some time off, but I can cope with that, he is keeping my poorly mare company and they are enjoying some down time together, hopefully will settle both of their little brains.

The other pony who we took to Frensham yesterday has generally been a star, yes he can be nappy and we have had the odd dispute, but nothing scary or unworkable, I am thoroughly enjoying my time with him and he is proving to be  a great little horse, bring on Munstead on Saturday is all I can say !!

Essentially I think the more people say don't do it, the more determined I get, and so far it is all working out well :)  you just have to go with your gut and things always work out in the end.  Although I am completely poor from having 4 horses, the only thing I'll be buying for me for the next 6 months is new socks, if I'm lucky !!!

As a technology lover myself I have always been interested in the latest gadgets that are available and now that I am starting to see these devices being made available for my horse, I am keen to see what they are all about.

I have put together a list of my top five, horse performance technology devices that have been designed to help with tracking training, fitness, lameness, fatigue warnings, heart rates and more. Whether you want to know when your mare is about to foal down or whether your half pass has been carried out on each reign in a balanced way, the technology can send this information to you using easy to read charts that will present on your smart phone. Most of these gadgets can track progress by showing you performance improvements over periods of time and real-time risk alerts arising from things like gait imperfections or a raised temperature. What more could you ask for?

Each gadget attaches to the horse in a different way, whether it is via the girth, head collar or bridle, each has a unique and easy way of being used during work or when at rest.

1. Equimetre by Arioneo, France (my personal favourite)

Who is it designed for?

Performance horses in competitive sports such as racing, eventing, show jumping and dressage.

What does it do?

Whilst the horse is in work, it tracks from the girth the following: respiratory rate, temperature, heart rate, outdoor conditions (weather, temperature), measures performance, compares to prior performance, tracks improvements, monitors the terrain/going, the distance covered, speed, pressure, acceleration and movement sequence;

This information is recorded as the horse works and is then sent to the app for review in a easy to read and understandable format that tracks and compares to previously recorded data enabling the trainer to easily assess improvements and changes in the horse.

How much does it cost?

Not yet known.

Where can I get one?

Available in 2017. More information can be found here
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2. Equisense Motion, France

Who is it designed for?

Competition riders in show jumping, eventing and dressage.

What does it do?

In a nutshell this software is designed to monitor gait in order to assess movement, fitness and lameness. You simply download the app, attach the sensor to your saddle using the leather attachment and track your training records via the app.

The software looks at the horses’ symmetry, direction, gait, elevation, rhythm, speed and work intensity assisting with developing balanced workouts that develop your horse to the best of its ability.
This app is also designed to detect gait anomalies and lameness early-on in order to ensure swift action can be taken when lameness presents. Another handy feature is the training schedule that you can share with your trainer to ensure everyone is on the same page.

How much does it cost?

GBP £259.00

Where can I get one?

Currently only available on pre-order here.
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3. VetCheq by PonyUp

Who is it designed for?

Competitive riders in all disciplines.

What does it do?

Allows monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, respiration in a wearable device. The device sits inside your horses protective boots during work and connects with the distal or digital artery by light touch. Pulse information is transmitted to the device which is then turned in to data sets that can be easily read by the owner or trainer. VetCheq has a cloud application for sharing data with your veterinarian and can also be used to track fitness levels, monitor your horse during transport as well as at competitions.

There is also an alarm setting feature whereby you can set the device to alert you to any abnormal activity.

How much does it cost?

Not yet known.

Where can I get one?

By visiting their website here.

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4. Proteqqus – Nightwatch Headcollar, USA

Who is it designed for?

All horses for all disciplines. Could be particularly helpful during foaling and for remotely monitoring horses that are ill. However it does not have the ability to track during workouts.

What does it do?

A head collar with a built in device that monitors and assesses equine distress and wellness by tracking vital signs and behaviour. When a particular behaviour or symptom is detected by the head-collar technology, the owner is alerted via text, call or email.

It monitors heart rate, respiratory rate, activity, motion, location and posture whereby your horses’ vitals can be checked at any time day or night provided they are wearing the device.

How much does it cost?

$549.99 USD plus annual monitoring service contract and licence.

Where can I get one?

Click here. Only available on pre-order at present.

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5. SeeHorse, Canada

Who is it designed for?

All horse owners who want to be able to monitor their horses vital statistics on a day to day basis whether in work or at rest.

What does it do?

It is worn on the horses’ bridle or head collar and provides information via its helpful SeeHorse app for use on most smart phones. When connected, the device can keep track, monitor and send alerts relating to heart rate, temperature and respiration rates of your horse. The device can also track movement and activity and a useful addition for breeders is the foaling alarm.

This device will help you to track your horses’ fitness levels using the heart rate and respiratory rate monitors as well as its behaviour when you are not around. You will be able to check what your horse’s body is doing when you are not there, and allows the user to know when abnormal activity is detected which might prompt a visit to the yard or a call to your vets.

How much does it cost?

$499.00 USD plus monthly subscription cost.

Where can I get one?

You can visit their website and purchase one here.

In summary, these gizmos are expensive, but given the high risk of injuries in performance horses, I think its probably worth the investment. The technology is new and there are probably some bugs to work out, but give it 6 months and these new products will be in full flow with any kinks all ironed out.

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