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How should I store my new riding hat?

Caring for your riding hat is important not only for appearance but, more crucially, to allow it to continue providing the same high level of protection and standards. After riding, you want to store your hat away from direct heat and in a place where it is not likely to be dropped or knocked off onto the floor. It is a good idea to keep it in a hat bag for added protection. If your hat gets wet, dab it with a clean towel and leave it to dry. Never put it on a direct heat source like a radiator or in the sun to dry. Similarly, you must always store your hat at room temperature, as extremes of cold and especially heat can cause catastrophic damage to the essential safety features. This is because the inner shock absorbent section of the helmet is commonly made from expanded polystyrene, which is damaged not only by impact but also by exposure to heat. This damage inevitably reduces the shock-absorbing ability of the material and, thus, the helmet.

The inside of the hat can usually be refreshed with the manufacturer's specified products, and removable liners can often be washed in a nonbiological detergent and replaced when dry. The best advice, however, is to keep the manufacturer’s care instructions and be sure to follow them.

How do I work out the size and shape of the saddlepad I need for my new saddle?

The most crucial factor when selecting your saddlepad is matching the cut to the shape of your saddle. Dressage saddles are cut with a straight seam at the front to follow the elongated line of the knee roll and panel. These saddlepads are often a little deeper to compensate for the additional length in saddle flap. For more general purpose (GP) and jumping saddles, you can look at discipline-specific saddlepads.

There are many saddlepad options available in a hybrid GP/jump cut. These are designed with a forward-cut seam that follows the curvature of a typical knee roll on a jumping saddle but has enough depth to allow for the slightly longer flap of GP.

Most half pads are suitable for general purpose, jumping and dressage saddles.

Manufacturers tend to make saddlepads available in two or more sizes – small and large. Saddles with a 16-inch seat or smaller would usually require a pony-sized small pad, while those larger than 16 inches would be considered for a cob- or full-sized saddle pad.

Why are grey horses born darker?

Compared to white horses with pink skin, greys possess a modifying gene inherited from one or both parents. This gene causes the horse’s coat to turn grey with age even though he was born darker, usually chestnut or bay. The skin of grey horses is not pink and will stay the same colour from birth (usually black).

The modifying gene affects the hair follicles’ ability to produce melanin that gives the coat its colour; hence, over time, as new hair grows, colour will appear to be lost. This can often be most apparent at the change of season when a new coat is grown.

The speed at which a horse goes grey varies between individuals, but in foals and yearlings, the first white hairs usually appear around the muzzle and eyes and on the flanks. Over time, his coat is likely to become dappled and eventually turn completely white, perhaps with flea-bitten markings.