Best Tack for Riding Fresh Horses This Winter

Best Tack for Riding Fresh Horses This Winter

Feel safe with our range of neck straps and breastplates!

Is your freshly clipped horse feeling super sharp in this winter weather?

You are not alone! We’ve got your back. 

We know the feeling. Changing seasons and with the drop in temperatures, clipped horses often become more sensitive and reactive in the cold. A sharp breeze, a rustle in the hedge, or a change in routine can quickly turn even the most well behaved horse into a snorting dragon.

It’s easy to suddenly feel insecure in the saddle and have a bit of a confidence crisis when you are sitting on a horse that feels like an egg waiting to hatch. 

Maintaining both comfort and security in the saddle becomes essential - not only for the horse's performance, but for rider confidence and safety. The right equipment can make all the difference, providing both a mental and physical safety net for those colder winter moments!

 

Introducing the Correct Connect Double Neck Strap

The Correct Connect Double Neck Strap has been intentionally designed to enhance rider safety and security in the saddle. It features an easy to grab handle, which sits just where you need it, a little in front of the wither, meaning you can stay upright and on your seatbones in a safety seat or you can position it. This design helps riders stay centred and in control without tipping forward or losing balance. 

It clips onto the saddle D-rings, making it legal for national governing bodies as well as the FEI.

The stand-up handle also allows for a natural reach, while the adjustable position lets you move it further forward for jumping or galloping, or slightly back for flatwork and hacking. It also means that riders don’t subconsciously grab the rein and send nervous signals to the horse. What’s in the brain, goes down the rein!

 

Add More Security With Customisation Options

At VIP Equestrian, we understand that every horse and rider partnership is unique. That is why the Correct Connect Double Neck Strap can be tailored with a range of functional add-ons to suit your needs:

 

Martingale Attachment (for Standing or Running)

These attachments are ideal for riders who use martingales as part of their everyday tack, and integrate seamlessly with the design of the double neck strap, so you don’t have to use a separate martingale, so no extra straps on the neck. It clips to the girth. If you don’t have a ring, we’ve got you covered with a Leather Girth Loop.

 

Extra Long Add-On Strap 

For those looking for a longer strap or wanting even more security in the saddle, the Extra-Long Add-On Strap provides a handle that sits taller, which some riders prefer, especially if like me, you have short arms!

The double neck strap isn’t just about security in the saddle. It enables the rider to keep a better posture, no matter what the horses build, or how powerful and bouncy the movement. It helps also to keep your hands steady, so improves the contact. This is perfect for hacking, green horses, and riders who like to ride with a neck strap.

 

3-in-1 Training Breastplate

The 3-in-1 Training Breastplate has helped many riders worldwide of all levels and backgrounds. It improves balance, and the t-grip handles encourage a forward thinking hand to help the horse find a steady and consistent contact. This, in turn, improves the horse's way of going, a seeking contact to the bit, helping the horse to develop self carriage, and engagement in the hind quarters. It’s also great for people that are learning to rise to the trot, or sit the canter.

 

Explore the VIP Equestrian Breastplate Range

For riders who prefer an integrated setup, our 3-Point Breastplate and Free-Motion Breastplate have the option of coming with the double neck strap, which offer the same dependable handle design built directly into the breastplate itself. These models provide additional security and balance, combining functionality with comfort across a range of disciplines. It is also FEI legal.

The 3-Point Breastplate is a classic hunting breastplate styled traditionally with flat leather. Available in black and brown. It clips onto the D-Rings and the Girth, with the Double Neck Strap on the wither strap.

If you want to help your horse move and jump more freely, the Free-Motion Breastplate attaches to the girth straps at an angle that frees the horse's shoulder and doesn't restrict movement. It is very similar in design to the Fairfax breastplate. It’s a soft but thick chest piece that folds around the horse's chest and keeps the saddle in place. 

At VIP Equestrian, our products are designed with both you and your horse in mind, ensuring safety, comfort, and performance. Whether you’re managing winter freshness or simply seeking extra security in the saddle, our Double Neck Straps stand apart for their thoughtful design with feel and flexibility in mind, and a fully adjustable and saddle-friendly fit that's perfect for every ride and rider! 

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