The World of Equestrian Stockholm

Horses have long been used for transport, war and work. Today, horses are used for competition in dressage, show jumping and eventing and for therapy in specialized para-equestrian sport as well as non-competitive riding to improve human health and emotional development. Horseback riding has become a popular recreational activity, with public access to trails and private stables throughout the world.

There are a number of equestrian disciplines, each with its own equipment, rules and judging criteria. Dressage, sometimes referred to as seat and hands or horsemanship, judges the rider for form, ability, movement, style and quality in a ridden class. Hunt seat, saddle seat and halter classes judge the horse and rider for form and quality while ridden. Jumping or over fences events are judged on a horse and rider’s ability to clear a series of obstacles set in a course and in a specific order with the fewest refusals or knockdowns. There are also endurance races where horses and riders travel over long distances with varied fence and ditch obstacles, gymkhana, which are timed pattern games, Buzkashi (the national sports of Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan), jousting and skill at arms, which are found at Renaissance Faires and Society for Creative Anachronism events.

Horseback riding can be very dangerous, with a high risk of injury to both humans and horses. Horses are large prey animals with a well-developed flight or fight instinct able to move quickly and unpredictably when startled, especially while being mounted. Injuries involving a person falling from or being kicked by a horse are common and may be serious or fatal.

An estimated 30 million people ride horses each year in the United States. In a five-year period, the most common injuries among these riders were torso and head injuries. The incidence of injuries increases with the level of riding experience, novice equestrians experiencing an increased risk threefold over intermediates and fivefold over advanced equestrians.

The earliest equestrian competitions were a test of the horse’s obedience and a measure of the rider’s ability to control and train a mount. Later, a specialized discipline called eventing was created that combined the obedience of dressage with the athleticism of cross-country jumping and the stamina demanded by a steeplechase phase.

Equestrian Stockholm is an equestrian fashion brand based in Skogas, Sweden that offers a unique selection of clothing and accessories for horses and their riders. Their collection includes everything from fly rugs and excersie rugs to blankets and rain sheets. Their products are made from the highest quality materials and are designed to suit all types of weather conditions and needs. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors to help you find the perfect fit for your horse. In addition, they offer a range of luxury dressage saddle pads that are ideal for a day of training and have stylish silver details. These saddle pads are made from dirt resistant material that breathes and will keep your horse dry all through a sweaty training session.