Are We Eating As Well As Our Horses?

There's a new kid on the 'public information' block - the association of obesity with worse outcomes for those who catch Covid-19 - but it's hard to hide anyway from the very clear message that being overweight is bad for your health. By implication, bad health impacts on our NHS by utilising resources and costing £££ and it made me think about how we plan our horse's diets and how we plan our own.

Our horses only drink water - no caffeine, alcohol or fizzy drinks (sweet or diet variants) and most of them eat a diet of feeds grown and nutritionally formulated to deliver optimum, healthy equine nutrition. Obesity in horses and particularly ponies is a growing issue so - or so we're repeatedly told - and good advice on managing weight is easily available.

When it comes to us riders however, it seems that for some, well pretty much anything goes ...  This article - Here's How The Body Reacts To One-Off Overeating - New Research - is an interesting read and is a good explanation of what happens to your body when you decide to eat mulitple portions of cheesy chips, cake and hot chocolate with marshmallows at a show! Overeat often enough, at home or away, and it's easy to see why some riders do become too obese to be properly fit. Riders at the higher levels just aren't obese, as they simply couldn't perform to the required level essential for success.

We receive a lot of information every week in the Equine Extra office and one recent report caught my eye as we all know someone who drinks more alcohol than is 'recommended' for good health, but the latest figures reveal that more working years are now lost to alcohol than cancer! The report is below (in blue text and makes for sobering reading (pun intended!).

Alcohol Kills Country's Working Economy

Almost a fifth of working years of life lost in England in 2018 were due to alcohol consumption, overtaking working years lost to Cancer, the latest data from Public Health England (PHE) shows.

 

Mortality data for 2018 from the Office for National Statistics was used to calculate the potential working years of life lost for individuals who died before the age of 65 years.

 

The results published this month (July 2020) show that in 2018, there were an estimated 178,933 working years lost due to alcohol in England which amounts to 18% of the total working years lost, which stands at just over 1 million (1,005,868). 

 

This is the highest number recorded since 2011. 

 

The younger the person who dies is, the more they individually contribute, as there are more working years of life lost. The report shows that those aged just 45 to 54 contributed the most, with a total of 57,558 working years of life lost in 2018, closely followed by the 35-44 age group who contributed 47,243 working years of life lost.

 

Furthermore, the report reveals that liver disease – 60% of which is caused by alcohol – is now the leading cause of death in those aged between 35-49 years old.

 

Premature deaths from liver disease due to alcohol consumption led to nearly 50,000 working years of life lost in 2018.

 

Public Health England has also revealed that working years lost to alcohol are far greater than the total combined working years lost to the 10 leading causes of cancer death in 2018.

 

The 10 leading causes of cancer death led to 136,559 working years lost in England, which is around 40,000 years fewer than the estimated years lost due to alcohol. 

 

In 2018, men (131,403) had almost 3 times more working years of life lost than women (47,530).

 

Nuno Albuquerque, Head of Treatment at alcohol addiction treatment experts UKAT comments on this report;

“Unfortunately, alcohol-related deaths often occur at relatively young ages, and so it is important to consider the wider impact alcohol has on both the individual and society. 

 

“Reports like this one are instrumental in our understanding of the problem, but most importantly, in using the information to instigate positive change. But where is the Government’s commitment to tackling alcohol abuse in this country? Why are our leaders continuing to bury their heads in the sand about how impactful alcohol is?

 

“These figures clearly show that more and more potential working years of life in this country are lost to alcohol, even more so than the 10 leading Cancers combined. Our working economy is being killed off by alcohol- a substance so socially embedded and accepted, yet so dangerous and addictive.

 

“This is frightening, and if this information does not instigate immediate action by our Country’s leaders, then what will?”

 

For help and support with alcohol misuse, visit www.ukat.co.uk/alcohol/v40/

Just think how many calories there are in alcohol too! It's probably the only 'drug' you ever have to apologise for not taking - think about it - it's true!

I've also been following the increasingly vocal vegan movement and whilst I personally couldn't accept either the air miles involved in too many of the 'ingredients' in vegan cooking, nor the seemingly inevitable struggle to ensure that our human vitamin and mineral requirements are met without supplements, I do enjoy cooking and eating vegetarian meals - and each to their own. However I don't accept the environmental argument either - and this article, widely published last year - 'Vegans Don't Realize Billions Of Animals Are Killed Growing Crops' Says Pig Farmer - will probably be something of an eye-opener if you haven't read it before. I'd suggest that if you need to somehow defend your dietary choices, then just perhaps you aren't comfortable with them either??

In the UK, we can't say that good quality food isn't easily available. British-farmed, meat, vegetables and fruit are produced to high ethical standards right across the UK and our landscapes owe a lot to farming practices, both current and in the past. So you don't have to buy factory-farmed or imported foods and we can all easily choose the diet we want to eat, staying healthy at the same time.

It's just the same for our horses. Decent grazing is always going to be the cheapest feed you can get and the good feed companies will advise on balancing your horse's forage correctly, depending on his workload and breeding. So next time you look up information about your horse's diet and scrutinise his weight, take the same time to think about your own too; after all if you're fit and not fat, your horse is far more likely to enjoy your rides and as you will potentially be a better balanced and effective rider - you can read more about that here - The influence of rider:horse bodyweight ratio and rider‐horse‐saddle fit on equine gait and behaviour - It will be interesting to read all the follow up work as it is published.

The phrase 'you are what you eat' can be readily dated back to Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, in 1826, in his seven-volume book The Physiology of Taste, but it's just as true today.  Our horses are what they eat and so are we. We spend a lot of time, energy and £££ to keep our equine friends both healthy and sound and it makes sense to do the same for ourselves. Food for thought ...

Pam Harrison, Editor, Equine Extra

Expectations; Why They Underpin Every Successful Equine Business

There are two sides to ‘expectations’ and you’ll need to know about both if your equine business is to be successful.

(C) - all rights reserved

The first of these is your expectations

When you planned your business, hopefully you determined there was a need for your product or service.  Then once you were convinced there was a market, you researched to ensure the market was large enough in potential to make your business a success.  Finally, you were convinced you could reach your market in an economical way.

Armed with your ‘market information’, you set some goals for your business… your first of many expectations. Once you’ve set goals (expectations) you need to track your progress toward reaching them. The key now to your success is ‘not to be attached to your expectations.’  Attachment always causes disappointment.

Whether you are on track to reach your goals within a specified period of time or not should be nothing more than information… not failure or success… just information. If you are attached to your goals, and you are on track to reach them, you’ll begin to coast.  Self-confident and smug, your success will soon become your failure. If you are not on track to reach your goals, you’ll be depressed and stubbornly try to make what you are currently doing work better.

By being attached to your expectations, reached or not, you are not opening your mind to ‘change’, which is constant and must be ridden to success.  If you are not changing and improving constantly, you will be left behind and failure is the only possible outcome.

Having expectations is fine, so long as they are just guides and goals towards success. Being attached to expectations makes you and your business rigid and blind to new information and new desires within your market.

The second side of ‘expectations’ is what is expected by your market

Your customers believe that what you are offering - a horse, horse equipment, feed, or a service to them and their horse, such as training - will satisfy one or more of their desires.  They are actually purchasing from you, the ‘potential’ to achieve their dreams.

As much as you don’t want to be attached to your expectations, you can however be certain your clients will all be attached to theirs! In making an offer to satisfy your market’s desire, you must say what you mean and mean what you say.  Anything less in today’s equine sector and you’ll be out of business tomorrow.

We have become somewhat used to the idea that the car we buy is going to break down, the mobile phone is going to have ‘dead zones’, and our computer is going to crash.  We’ve become used to the idea that what is promised is not exactly what we are going to get.  But as used to those ideas as we’ve become, we still ‘expect’ to get what we were promised - and those businesses that don’t deliver soon become extinct.   Want examples? How about US car makers, big department stores and newspapers.

Today, it is the businesses that do deliver what we want survive… foreign car makers that build models to last and provide good mileage… niche stores that have the exact style we want, internet sites (like Equine extra) that provide ‘instant’ news and ‘in-depth’ features, plus social networking and chat contact with like-minded friends.

Whatever your business, you can’t do more to make it successful than to meet your market’s expectations.  If you say you can train the horse to be a champion, it had better become a champion… if you say your livery yard feeds horses correctly, they had better have plenty of hay all the time… if you say your equipment will last a lifetime, it had better be around next year.

If you can’t deliver, don’t say it.

Say instead what you can deliver… a well-trained horse you’ll enjoy riding, a livery yard in which you’ll feel confident leaving your horse, equipment that will help you get the job done.

Remember - whilst you don’t want to be attached to your expectations, you can always be certain your customers are attached to theirs.

New challenges for 2018

Many readers of Equine magazine enjoy the challenge of competing, not just in affiliated competitions, but in the encouraging shows and events run by riding clubs, pony clubs and experienced teams hosting unaffiliated fixtures in all of the major disciplines.

Most leisure riders enjoy more than one discipline and whilst Memberships may be required, they invariably represent excellent value for money and ensure that you’ll enjoy a well-run fixture that is lots of fun too. Here’s just a few ideas for the new season...

British Showjumping

Click to find out more now!

 Whether you’re a seasoned showjumper or an enthusiastic beginner, there’s no better time to take a look at what British Showjumping has to offer.
Pony Club offer
If you are a new member to British Showjumping or have been expired for three or more years and a member of the Pony Club, then this offer is for you. You and your pony can become British Showjumping National members from just £55 for the first year with a second year discount as well. Classes start from 70cm and in addition to a structured and safe environment for you to compete in with national championships to aim for, British Showjumping also offers Junior Academies which deliver comprehensive training programmes as well as an extensive list of UKCC Accredited coaches who can help you reach your goals.
‘Just for Schools’ Memberships
The ‘Just for Schools’ membership is an incredible opportunity for students to share their passion with their school and create lasting friendships with fellow riders.

Junior classes are enjoying
a new level of popularity

So how does it work? Well, Schools and Colleges can submit both teams (three to four riders) and individuals to compete against each other in the battle for league points with the aim of qualifying for the Championships Finals at the British Showjumping National Championships in August. Competitions are held across the country with class heights ranging from 70cm-1.10m, which sees all ages and abilities coming forward to represent their school and do their team proud. It is just £30 for the year per team for three or four members, these members can be interchanged throughout the year as well as compete as an individual.

For further information on which Membership type might be right for you, why not ring the British Showjumping Membership Team on 02476 698824 who will be happy to talk it through with you or visit www.britishshowjumping.co.uk.


Native Ponies
Enthusiasm for Britain’s native breeds is at an all time high and their hardiness, combined with willingness to turn a hoof to almost any activity, their popularity is assured.

Native ponies are often ridde by smaller, lightweight adults

Ride or drive, jumping or showing, native breeds and their crosses perform well in many different competition disciplines.
Whilst many are ridden by children, smaller adults also enjoy ponies and with a growing number of prestigious shows, including the Native Pony Festival in Northumberland, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for fun with your native this season.
Each breed society has its own website; a quick search online will guide you to more information.


The Rise and Rise of RoR
Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) is British horseracing’s official Charity for the welfare of horses who have retired from racing. RoR raises funds from within racing to provide and maintain facilities for the care, retraining and re-homing of former racehorses and to promote awareness of the suitability of the retrained racehorse for other equine careers.

ROR showing classes, always popular and of a high standard

Working closely with the sport horse organisations and media, RoR promotes the adaptability of racehorses to other equestrian activities and has a well established programme of competition sponsorship. Classes include Showing, Eventing, Dressage, Showjumping and Polo, with Regional Leagues and other opportunities in Horseball, Endurance, Team Chasing, Riding Club and TREC!
In addition, RoR holds educational events across the country to help owners look after and train their former racehorses.
For more information, visit www.ror.org.uk.


Pony Club
If you think joining the Pony Club might be for you, well you can sample the whole Pony Club experience before you join…

Pony Club Eventing is a popular discipline and great fun!

All you need to do is contact your local Pony Club branch to arrange a ‘Taster Session’ and find out firsthand what it’s all about!
You’ll meet lots of other equestrians who share your passion for riding and all things pony. You can look forward making new friends and take part in horse and pony activities you may not have tried before. You’ll also develop your riding skills and learn to be responsible for the care and welfare of horses.
To find out more and to get details of your local Pony Club visit www.pcuk.org/join



British Riding Clubs
There are currently 34,000 members of British Riding Clubs, who enjoy access to training, competitions, qualifications and six Championships, plus classes at some of the biggest equestrian event in the UK.

There are classes for Riding Club
members at some of the biggest shows
in the UK

Membership fees for each local Riding Club are generally modest and open up many different opportunities, including dressage and dressage to music, show jumping, combined training, a challenge class that incorporates both show jumping and cross country, along with horse trials for teams and individuals!
Members of a British Riding Club are also eligible for many opportunities across a multitude of disciplines such as showing and endurance, as well as dressage, show jumping and cross country. Some of these opportunities set you up with the chance to compete at prestigious shows.
Be sure to have a look and see if there is anything that may suit you and your equine partner. You’ll find all you need to know at http://www.bhs.org.uk/enjoy-riding/british-riding-clubs


British Dressage
If dressage is your next challenge, then British Dressage has a choice of different memberships depending on what you want to enjoy.

Many different membership options mean British Dressage
has something for everyone

Those who want to take part in Music classes, Team Quest or My Quest, the Associated Championships, Combined Training and ride in Preliminarsy Bronze and Gold sections  need to be a CLUB MEMBER, which is just £30 for the year.
-If you want to compete at Preliminasry Silver, Novice and above or ride in any Championship, you'll need to be a FULL MEMBER. Cost: £92 for new members by post, £87 online - or £87 if you'd like to join by Direct Debit. Want to spread your Full membership payments over the year? Not a problem, you can now join for just £8.50 a month!
Never been a member before and want to try six months before investing in a yearlong membership? At just £57, you can try out TRIAL MEMBERSHIP.
If you want to own a registered horse, become a judge or support British Dressage and receive a member package, you'll need to be a PREMIER CLUB MEMBER. Cost: £55 by post or £50 online.
If you want to use the long winter months to polish your dressage, there's a WINTER MEMBERSHIP which runs 1 October - 31 March. Cost: £52
If you're a supporter who wants to make the most of the website, read British Dressage magazine online and receive a regular newsletter, all for free, you can be an ASSOCIATE MEMBER. Cost: FREE!
Associate membership does not entitle any rider to compete, unless in conjunction with a British Dressage class ticket. If you wish to compete as an Associate member with a class ticket, you MUST complete a paper form and send to the office. Do not join online. To compete on a class ticket your horse also needs to be registered as an Associate.
Find out more online at www.britishdressage.co.uk/membership



Coloured Horse & Pony Society CHAPS(UK)
If your equine friend is the right colours, then you’ll never be one of a kind as coloured horses are hugely popular across all the disciplines.

Traditional coloured horses are represented at many
County shows and produce an eyecatching spectacle

As the official coloured horse society, ,CHAPS(UK) offers CHAPS(UK) Championship Show qualifiers, CHAPS/BSPS Winter Restricted Qualifiers, CHAPS/ PUK Qualifiers, HOYS Qualifiers, Stallion and mare gradings, youngstock evaluations, the members’ magazine ‘World of Colour’ three times per year, a Junior Bursary, Regional Shows, Championship Show (with gala evenings and mad discos), Christmas Balland lots more. The society is also a DEFRA approved stud book and Passport Issuing Office.
Find out more online at www.chapsuk.com

Snuggle Up - Winter's Still Around!

WOW, there are some stunning products out on the market this winter, all designed to keep you warm and cosy, from head to foot and from inside out. 

Equine's very spoiled panel members have thoroughly testes some supreme pieces of footwear, stunning items of outer wear and an array of snuggle-into clothing.

Here's just a taster of a few fabulous ideas - you'll find all 30 of them in the December issue of Equine. Order a copy from the secure online store at www.theequinestore.co.uk

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Muck Boots – Women’s Pacy II Boots
The company says: Style and comfort go hand in hand with these all-condition riding boots. They are insulated with the company’s signature neoprene shaft, and feature a cosy fleece lining for extra warmth and comfort. The slim profile, heel spur and buckle detailing add style as well as function to these riding boots so you'll look stylish whatever the weather throws at you. Sizes: 3-9. RRP: £120.00 www.muckbootcompany.co.uk
Our tester, Sally Burns, says: These boots are seriously fantastic. They have a thick sole and good grips have been great when traipsing through thick mud stayed secure on my feet.  The inside of the boots are very soft and comfortable and kept my feet warm, plus they are a good fit round your calves. I find myself wearing them around the yard most of the day and they have never felt heavy on my feet. When washed they’ve cleaned up well. 

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Musto – Women’s Blair Gore-Tex® Boots
The company says: Engineered for a slimmer fit and tailored to the leg for added comfort and a rider-friendly design. Fully waterproof and breathable performance, plus the Musto outsole with OUTGRIP which delivers superior stability over mud and rocks. Overlaid panels, with rolled edging aid durability, prolonging the life of the boot. Styled gold stitching links the company’s Royal Warrants and antique brass trims together for a premium finish. Sizes: 4-8 (with half sizes). RRP: £350.00. www.musto.com
Our tester, Barbara Clarkson, says:  These boots are beautiful to look at and fabulous to wear.  They are very light weight, but well made from quality dark brown suede and have a little red flash on the sole which makes them just a little bit different.  They come into their own in wet weather as they are also warm and waterproof which has been extremely useful recently.  Despite coping well in inclement weather, the suede dries out well and brushes up like new. They are true to size and the foot shape is very supportive and fairly snug although now that I've been wearing them for several weeks the leather has given a little and is now more flexible despite the ruggedness of the tread on the soles. This is a great plus point as other similarly designed boots I have are much less comfortable. These boots are also long in the leg which is a bonus for a tall person like me. The only improvement to them would be to have a slimmer fit in the leg around the calf muscle as they are too generous there.  It's a shame because these particular boots are so very elegant otherwise.  That aside, they are my new favourite boots! 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Horseware – Rambo Original Long Turnout Boot
The company says: Versatile everyday yard boots made from tough, durable, ballistic green nylon with soft leather. Warm, waterproof lining. Hard wearing with extra grip sole. Front zip closure and button fastening. Sizes; 4(36) – 11(45). RRP: £129.95 - £134.95. www.horseware.com
Our tester, Maria Phillips, says: These lovely boots are designed with country pursuits in mind. Fully waterproof, they are made from a combination of leather and waterproof fabric and can be used as a riding or walking boot. The inner fabric is suede so they kept my feet very toasty. The rubber sole has a good tread without being too bulky and the waterproof fabric around the ankle allowed flexibility. I particularly liked the front zip, similar to the design of many riding boots, as it helped pulling the boots on and off with ease and the zip cover at the top stopped the zip from catching. I cleaned the boots simply with a hose avoiding spraying the zip area. I found that they were slightly snug around the legs and would possibly be more suited to someone with a slim calf if an extra pair of socks is required. However, they are very smart, durable and very practical and for that reason I would suggest that, with Christmas in mind they would make a lovely present.

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Zamberlan – Unisex Stivale Canada Zipped Boots
The company says: High boot in rubber doubled with neoprene laminated to rubber. Covered YKK zipper with thermo-sealed bellow. Rand and instep with knurled rubber for better foot protection. The double density rubber outsole, Sherwood Vibram, ensures stability, cushioning and great grip also on wet ground. Elastic back collar for easier stride. Sizes: 7 (40) – 14 (47). RRP: £165.00. www.zamberlan.com
Our tester, John Collier, says: I’ve been like a pig in muck wearing these wellies. I can imagine Q issuing a pair to James Bond, suave and sophisticated, just the footwear for the casino. But seriously, these are warm, waterproof, amazingly good looking wellington boots, not out of place at Burghley or the local shoot. Smart enough to wear in church. Easy to get on and off with a zip gusset, very chunky zip, that is doable with gloves on. The boots are well shod with a Vibram sole, and there are elasticated gussets behind the knee for comfort. These really are the iPhone X of the wellie world I cannot recommend them highly enough. And they look a million dollars.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Horseware – Women’s Keela Base Layer
The company says: A practically fabulous, functional base layer ideal for multi-sport activities. Made using 95% polyester/5% spandex, antibacterial and wicking fabric.
Pewter or Berry. Sizes: XXS-XXL. RRP: £18.95. www.horseware.com
Our tester, Terri Graham, says: Super, silky soft to wear and keeps you comfortable and warm without allowing moisture to build up. It is the most comfortable material to wear, no bulk or restrictive seams. Washes and dries well, keeps its shape. One of those go-to items of clothing that seems to fit the bill for when you’re outside, whether riding, teaching or just at a show. A definite addition to the winter wardrobe. 



VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Equisafety – Aspey Jacket
The company says: 100% waterproof, lightweight, breathable fabric with taped seams, which when combined with its high performance design, undoubtedly makes this jacket the best on the market. Exclusive pull down warning triangle, which fastens at the sides of the jacket, that can be rolled back into the collar when not needed. Inside zipped pocket and mobile phone pocket, 360° of reflection and fluorescent properties, strong two-way front zip and two large, hidden pockets. Fully washable on a 30° wash. NOTE: This jacket has been re-vamped and is now called the Inverno and fully reversible with black quilt interior. Orange, Yellow, Pink. Sizes: XS-XXXL. RRP: £99.99.Our tester, Susan Lacey, says: I really love this jacket. It has a great shape about it and is nice and warm. Very practical to wear on the yard for general duties and of course, fantastic to ride out in making sure that you can clearly be seen with the bright colour and then the reflective strips. Plenty of pockets which are always handy. Size wise it is generous but that allows for layers should you need them. All-round this is a great jacket with the added peace of mind of the safety aspect.

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
SSG Gloves - 10 Below Winter Riding Glove
The company says: Engineered using the company’s digital fabric on the palm, combining feel and grip with breathability and durability. The new synthetic leather backing improves the waterproofing and flexibility. There is a Thinsulate lining and inside that, the SSG exclusive polar fleece, which in this updated glove is treated with ‘Thermal feelings’ material, ‘Wintersun’ which increases the glove warmth. These gloves are as good as gets offering four layers of warmth enough to combat the coldest weather whilst retaining the feel and control that every rider needs. Black. Sizes: 5-13. RRP: £39.99. For stockists visit: www.mackey.ie
Our tester, Ben Hobday, says: These really are amazing gloves. Over the past couple of months I don’t think there’s a day when I haven’t worn them. I’ve used them while riding, schooling, hunting and around the yard. They are thick enough to keep your hands warm, but not too thick that you can’t ride out in them and they’re waterproof. There is a stretch material that fits around the wrists which keeps the gloves in place and stops wind or dirt going down inside. One great feature is that they come with a stretchy-type string with a loop attached to the gloves that you put around your wrist. This is such a simple idea, but one of those that you wonder how you’ve managed without it. It means that if you have to take off a glove, or gloves, to use your phone, open a gate or sort tack the gloves stay in place and they don’t get lost. I have worn them in all weathers and they have been very durable. I will be buying more! 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Horseware – Woman’s Eve Padded Jacket
The company says: A flattering fit makes this on trend padded jacket fashionable and practical. Cosy lined zip pockets and inside zipped chest pockets. Water repellent ripstop fabric. Reflective crest. Two way zip. Berry or Pewter. Sizes: XXS-XXL. RRP: £57.95. www.horseware.com
Our tester, Caroline Mosley, says: I took this jacket on holiday with me as it was packable enough to fit in a small rucksack when walking in Yosemite! I also used it when working in the yard and I have to say it’s very comfortable. I thought it was going to be too short for me when it first arrived (I have a long body) and I’m pleased to say it isn’t. The zip pockets are large enough to hold my iPhone 7 without it being a squeeze, and as well as the two outside pockets it had an internal pocket – also with zip closure so plenty of room to hold phones, gloves, polos etc. It was a good fit for me so I would say the size matches what it says.  It has a cotton lined neck collar which is nice as it doesn’t feel cold to touch. The polyester fill is toasty warm, and the outer layer is showerproof so very useful to have for autumn/winter.  This company, as always, makes really good products and this is ideal.

VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
HKM Sports – Women’s Lauria Garrelli Scotland Quilted Jacket
The company says: Wonderfully styled and warm quilted jacket. Tailored fit, two front pockets and a hood. Light weight but highly insulted to give that extra warmth in the winter but not hand heavy. Great looking addition that will be a must this year. Other coordinate products available in the collection. Deep Blue or Deep Wine. Sizes: XS-XXL. RRP: £71.95. www.hkm-sports.com
Our tester, Caroline Powell, says: I have never tried any items from this range and when my jacket arrived I thought it was just going to be one of those garments that you wore for a while and then it went in to the 'pile' of jackets that accumulate over time....but not this one, I find myself drawn to it every time I go out the door. The jacket has a nylon/polyester outer with a cotton wool filling and it does make the jacket extremely light and comfortable to wear. Because it is breathable it makes the jacket the perfect layer for the chilly mornings and I find I still have it on the majority of the day. I love how the zip goes all the way around the cotton hood so every day you can adjust the snug seal around your neck no matter what you are wearing underneath. Very stylish with riding attire and the tailored fit of the jacket means it is chic enough to cross over to everyday life. It has survived the washer and dryer test and it still looks as smart as the day as it arrived.

This article first appeared in the December 2017 issue of Equine magazine. To subscribe to Equine, visit the secure online store at www.theequinestore.co.uk