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What Are Equestrians
And What Do They Do?

Equestrians and horses have played a vital role in the history of mankind. They have served in areas such as transportation and heavy cavalry.

Nowadays due to the development of technology, horses are no longer used anymore. They can be mostly found working for humans in ranches, farms, circuses and driving carriages for amusement rides.

Although horses are not as vital as they were 'back in the days', the tradition of riding them does not falter. Nowadays there are people who participate in a number of horse riding sports and events across the world.

Equestrianism refers to the ability to ride and drive horses. This definition does not just include the use of horses for recreational activities and sports but also for working and practical uses. Contrary to what most people would think, the term equestrianism refers to all horse related skills not just riding them for sport.

Horse Riding In The Past

Horses were used for a variety of purposes. They were used, both for war and peaceful pursuits. They were mainly used for transportation, agriculture and warfare.

In Rome, people who owned and rode horses were regarded as the elite. Horses were expensive at that time so owning one meant that you were rich and did not need to do manual labour. They were members of the social upper class in Rome which was often referred to as the 'Knights'. The group was both military and political as horsemen received financial compensation from the government.

As Rome expanded it relied on its allies for cavalry. There was no use anymore for 'Knights' and they lost their military functions. They did not engage in war anymore but their titles still remained and indicated nobility.

Horse Riding Today

It is probably best known for participation in sporting events such as the Olympic games. Also horse racing is said to be the 'Sport of Kings'. Just like in the past, horse riding is usually a past-time of the rich. Even today horses are still expensive and prized.

Equestrian events include dressage, show jumping and eventing. Competitors should be able to make the horse carry out natural movements on request while running loose during dressage. It is also referred to as "Horse Ballet". Its goal is to develop a horses' athletic ability and its initiative to perform to its maximum potential.

Show jumping is another event which is timed, riders are required to jump over a series of obstacles with the fewest mistakes. Riders and their horses should be able to go round the obstacle course quickly without knocking any if the fences down.

Eventing is the combination of dressage and show jumping. The horse and the rider have to go over a series of fixed obstacles such as stone walls, water, logs banks, ditches with the fastest time possible.

Although the roles of equestrianism have changed throughout the centuries it still holds that aura of nobility that it once enjoyed in medieval times.

How Do You Get Involved In Equestrianism

With the amount of people who express their fondness for horses, equestrianism around the globe, especially in the United States has tremendously increased. Because of this, equestrian related employment has also widened in scope. Equestrian colleges have started to open all over the world and the horse industry has developed more and more training facilities to cater for all those individuals who have decided to turn their passion into a career.

What Sort Of Jobs Are Out There?

Before the horses are ridden and enlisted for competitions, they are first trained. Some horses are trained to do practical work in ranches whereas a great deal of them are used for various competitive sports. Among these are eventing, racing, reigning, dressage, endurance racing, tent pegging, show jumping, polo, vaulting, driving, horse racing, and rodeo.

However, there are also animals which are employed in non-competitive horse-related activities. Donkeys and mules, for example, are mostly engaged in recreational purposes like trail riding, fox hunting, and hacking. Horse trails are often available for public use. There are ranches, parks, and public stables that provide places both for independent and guided riding.

Different Types Of Equestrian Jobs

In order to know where you can find a role in the horse industry, you have to be familiar with the following activities.

Horse rearing and breeding. Horses are among the common animals which are reared and bred. Ranches all over the world attend to this kind of stuff. Now if you would like to rear and breed horses, you have to get the proper training for it.

Horse racing. It has been so much of an addiction for humans to test the speed of their horses. Horse racing is one way of determining which horse can outrun the rest of its competitors. Gambling is often a part of horse racing meetings. The spectators bet on which animal they think is going to be the fastest and thus win the race.

Horse rider. For the sake of the prestigious Olympic discipline, you may be employed as a rider to compete with delegates from all over the world. The horse has to bear a certain field of specialization and must execute movements without difficulty.

Horse trainer. As a trainer, you must let the animal recognize your superiority as its master. You are the one who is in command when practicing its skills and basically taming it.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to equestrian employment. You just have to know where you can find the fulfillment and where you may be good at. After all, being an equestrian is a career path that you have to harness.

What Equipment Do You Need To Ride Horses?

Each horse related sport is unique which demands different skills from the rider. Their clothing is not just used for presentation but also to help them move freely during competitions. There are many types of clothing that riders need. There is a full range of equipment to protect the rider from head to foot.

The main clothes required for horse riding are composed of riding hats, jackets, boots, jodhpurs and breeches, body protector, chaps and gaiters. For a beginner it is essential to know about each of these items of clothing and how they benefit you. Each individual's preference may be different but it important to know the basics before buying any clothing. Horse riding can be expensive and its clothing is not an exception.

Have You Found The Ideal Partner Yet?

Lots of equine singles have problems finding their perfect partners because most non-equestrian orientated people don't understand how much time and effort is required to enjoy such a rewarding hobby.

They often get jealous and frustrated at the amount of hours that you are putting into keeping your horse in top shape. Sometimes it is better to try and find a partner who is also appreciates horses. This may be easier said than done. Try these handy tips for finding your horse-loving partner.

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