Eucerin Oil Control Sun Gel-Cream SPF 50+

When you’re on vacation, there’s little time to wait for your sunscreen to dry before you blast off to the barn or beach. This dry-touch facial sunblock for oily, acne-prone skin ensures you don’t have to delay, so dirt is less likely to stick to it. An added bonus? It’s extra water- and sweat-resistant.

Available for $19.58 on caretobeauty.com.

Blundstone Chelsea No. 550

Iconic for a reason, Blundstone boots mold to your feet and wear like iron; they’re made of durable, double-stitched leather. The Chelsea No. 550 boot offers outstanding, lightweight shock absorption. Pull tabs make sure you can get them on quickly and easily.

Available for $209.95 on blundstone.com.

Hydaway Collapsible Travel Bottle

A collapsible water bottle ensures you stay hydrated without weighing you down. Collapses to a 1.5-inch disc and holds 17 ounces of water when expanded (a 25-ounce option is also available). Dishwasher safe, it’s made of food-grade silicone and BPA-free plastic. Available in a variety of colors.

Available for $29.95 on shop.myhydaway.com.

Helmet Brims Horseback Riding Standard Brim Sun Visor

The Helmet Brims Riding Sun Visor blocks both the sun and the rain without blocking your vision. Lightweight and easy to fit onto your helmet using velcro and elastic, this visor is made with Australian shade cloth that ensures high sun protection while also being exceptionally durable and offering a bit of visibility. Various trim color options.

Available for $46.95 from ridingwarehouse.com.

Carmex Weather Guard Stick with SPF 30

Whether you’re in the rain or in the wind, Carmex Weather Guard Stick with SPF 30 is the perfect moisturizing lip balm. Offering both UVA and UVB protection, this cocoa butter-infused balm is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.

4-count available for $9.99 on amazon.com.

Body Glide Anti-Chafe Stick

Keep your thighs and backside chafe-free no matter how long you spend in the saddle with Body Glide Anti Chafe Stick. Sweat- and water-resistant, this easy-to-apply balm creates an invisible barrier to protect skin from rubbing, chafing, pinching, and other irritants.

Available from $5.49 to $16.99 on bodyglide.com.

Ariat VentTEK Stretch Shirt

Wear-tested and ready to ride, the button-front shirt offers UV protection and VentTEK side panels for air flow. Its moisture-wicking technology is designed for optimal comfort in any weather, ensuring you look good no matter how long you ride.

Available for $58.95 on ariat.com.

Acavallo Ortho-Pubis Seat Savers

It’s not always your seat bones that get sore when you’re spending hours on end in the saddle. Acavallo Ortho-Pubis Seat Savers reduce pressure around the pubic bones, ensuring more even weight distribution and a comfortable, safer seat. Available in western, dressage and jumping options.

Price varies by model; purchase on acavallo.com.

This article about trail and marathon riding essentials appeared in the January/February 2025  issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Trail and Marathon Riding Essentials appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Troxel Spirit with Mips®

A low profile and full-coverage design for optimal comfort. The vent placement allows for maximum airflow, and there’s a FlipFold removable washable headliner. The DialFit system allows for a precise fit. The Spirit helmet with MIPS is ASTM/SEI-certified and is available in several colors and patterns.

Starting at $110.99 at troxelhelmets.com.

Tough 1 Western Easy Out Stirrups

Don’t get stuck in a bad situation! When pressure is applied to the outside of this stirrup, like in a fall, the side of this stirrup will open up and give your foot room to release. This safety feature helps to prevent getting tangled in the stirrups and sustaining further injury. Available in adult and youth sizes.

Available for $151.88 on tough1.com.

Charles Owen Kylo EQx

This is the first dial-fit helmet in the U.S. that has all three international safety certifications. Lightweight with extensive ventilation, it features a sweat-wicking, machine washable headband. Available in both navy and black, there is optional MIPS protection and both standard or wide peaks.

Ranging from $190 to $228 on charlesowen.com.

Horse Pilot Twist’Air Airbag Vest

Made in France and approved to the new NF S72-800:2022 standard (the first and only standard developed for equestrian airbags), the Twist’Air Airbag vest ensures safety, comfort and discretion. Can be worn under one of Horse Pilot’s competition or schooling jackets.

Available for $799 (compatible jackets sold separately) on horsepilot.com.

Racesafe ProVent3

Combining breathable, lightweight comfort with maximum protection for riders of all ages and disciplines. The Racesafe ProVent3 offers the highest standards in safety performance, certified to BETA 2018 Standard level 3. Made of over 100 individually hinged segments for rider flexibility and movement in a wide range of sizes for a custom fit.

Starting at $389 on racesafe.co.

Tipperary Eventer Pro Vest

Patented Tectonic Foam plating is a unique double-layer pattern that moves and flexes without any separation or gaps. Live Spine technology provides increased impact protection while flexing and matching movement. SEI certified to the ASTM F1937 standard, and the most comfortable option to pair with an air vest.

Available for $479.99 on tipperaryequestrian.com.

Acavallo Arena Alupro Stirrups

The Arena Alupro stirrups feature a patented side opening and an advanced technical composition. The stainless steel pad with horizontal holes ensures optimal grip in all conditions. The strategically placed lock-and-release mechanism prevents accidental slipping. Available in eight colors.

Available for $221 on acavallo.com.

This article about equestrian safety gear appeared in the November/December 2024 issue of Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Must-Have Equestrian Safety Gear appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Ariat Cruisers

Speaking of blurring that line between barn and civilization, I loved my first pair of Ariat Cruisers so much that I ended up buying a second ($94.95). My original pair (that I promised myself would not become a barn shoe) became a barn shoe, especially for those quick little trips to check on a horse, drop something off, or throw hay in the morning before work.

They’re really comfortable, super-easy to slide on and off, and look cute with jeans, shorts, or even breeches. So I gave in, let the originals follow their calling as barn shoes, and I now own a second pair that is truly reserved for excursions into the real world, including work. A number of styles are currently on sale on Ariat’s website, and I just snagged two more pairs in new patterns for less than $40 a piece.

◆ Shop at Ariat.com 

Kerrits Fall Riding Line and EQL Jeans

Kerrits has always been one of my favorite brands for breeches, and I actually still have a few pairs from the late 1990s in my closet. They hold up. But while I’ve been eyeballing their EQL casual clothing line at events like the Kentucky Three-Day Event and Equine Affaire, I’d never felt like taking the time to try on any of their casual clothing. But this summer, at a local tack shop’s annual tent sale, I was the lucky winner of a $250 Kerrits gift certificate. The ladies at The Carousel Horse suggested that I wait for Kerrits’ fall line to come in, and when it did, I was really impressed. Kerrits has maintained their signature style while introducing contemporary colors and patterns. And their high-tech fabrics are both warm and breathable without impeding movement — necessary around here as the weather gets cold and we have to layer up.

I went home with their Bits of Plaid Quilted Vest ($109), which I’m hoping to wear to work a few times before it becomes barn-wear, and a super-soft and warm On Course Quarter Zip Fleece Tech Top ($74) that will be perfect for teaching and riding this fall and winter.

Then, The Carousel Horse ladies mentioned Kerrits’ new EQL jeans, and said that there were a few styles that had come in that even they hadn’t tried yet. I struggle with pants fit (my butt is a size bigger than my waist) but I ended up really liking the In-Motion Bootcut Jean ($99) with a raw hem. The jeans are a little lighter weight with more stretch than what I normally wear, but they’re really comfortable and flattering, and the detailing at the bottom of each leg is a little something different. These have become my go-to Friday “denim-day” jeans for work this fall.

◆ Shop at Kerrits.com 

Muck Boots

As farm owners, my husband and I have a rather large boot collection. I have boots for riding, boots for barn chores, and boots that can do both. My husband is usually in some kind of work boot, preferring something he can slip on and wear comfortably all day.

We’ve always been Muck fans for their durability and comfort, but two additions to their current lineup have been pleasant surprises.

My husband has been really liking Muck’s Mens Western Chore Mid Boot ($140), with a similar rubber foot and neoprene top to Muck’s classic style, but with a much slimmer, western boot profile. The square toe and reinforced heel makes this a boot that can easily convert from barn chores to riding, unlike Muck’s traditional work boots which don’t safely fit into stirrups. My husband, who is not often found on any of our horses, still prefers this more streamlined fit just for working around the farm. He says they feel more secure in the heel and less bulky than traditional Mucks. Last weekend, when the majority of his day was spent repairing things that the horses had broken, he said his feet were comfortable and cool in these boots all day long.

And since our temps have dropped, I’ve been slipping on Muck’s Outscape Max Ankle Boots ($135) every morning before work to take care of the horses. These boots are great. They slide on and off hands-free, a necessity when I’m rushing out the door carrying everything but the kitchen sink. The sole is really rugged and grippy, which I appreciate when I’m leading horses out to their pastures in the dark, especially when it’s been rainy and the ground is soft and I’m running late, dressed in work clothes. And with a footbed that is incredibly light and comfortable, this is another Muck boot that could easily be worn all day long. (Though I toss mine in the trunk after chores on the way to work!)

◆ Shop at MuckBootCompany.com

Dapplebay Riding Top

When an ad for Dapplebay’s riding top in a French toile de Jouy pattern ($58) appeared on my social media, I visited the website and contemplated the shirt. While I’d found myself on Dapplebay’s site a few times before, I’d never committed to a purchase (you know, the whole mental game of “do I need this, or do I want this?”). But something about this classic blue and white pastoral pattern made my “want” win over, and I completed my order. I am usually an end-of-season sale shopper and rarely pay full price for something that I don’t need, but I loved the look of this pattern and was curious about the quality.

When it arrived, I was more than pleased: the fabric is buttery soft; the colors are beautiful and the pattern crisp. Reviews said that this particular shirt tended to run small, so I ordered one size up and the fit was perfect. I was so in love with the design that I went back for the matching saddle pad, too. The shirt is currently sold out, but you can ask to be notified when it’s back in stock.

◆ Shop at Dapplebay.com

Hay Chix Nets

Now that we’re back on daytime turnout in western Pennsylvania, my horses are spending a little more time in their stalls, and I’m so grateful for my HayChix Free Up Feeder hay nets (starting at $110). The large majority of my equines are really easy keepers, but I’m a firm believer in free-choice hay (despite my Fjord occasionally looking like an overstuffed sausage). I was also so sick of waste — watching my 30+ gelding pull his expensive, third-cut hay into the middle of his stall and pee all over it made me want to cry. So when we built our barn, I splurged on Hay Chix nets and swear that they’ve paid for themselves several times over in just two years. I spent the extra $30 per stall on the wider opening (24” x 24”) and am glad I did; between the larger frame and the really easy to use hardware, I can open and close the frame one-handed and never have to set hay on the floor.

Hay Chix advertises that you can open and fill each in less than thirty seconds, and they’re not lying. And for the MacGyvers in your barn who will figure out that if they pop the net hard enough from the bottom with their noggins to undo the latch themselves, there’s a pin you can put in to prevent them opening it (I’m looking at you, Waffles). We fill the nets at night, and most of my crew still has hay in their nets in the morning — which makes both my anxious horse-mom mind and wallet feel good!

◆ Shop on HayChix.com

With these fall equestrian gear picks, you’re sure to be set for barn chores and riding this season. Embrace the beauty of fall while staying comfortable and chic, whether you’re in the saddle or just out enjoying the crisp air.

This fall equestrian gear list is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Fall Equestrian Gear Round-Up appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Matchy-matchy equestrian style is all about coordinating colors with your horse. Picture a dapple gray wearing a periwinkle saddle pad, fly bonnet and protective boots with his rider sporting a periwinkle shirt. That’s the matchy-matchy fashion trend.

Jessica Alvarado, creator of the Facebook group Matchy Matchy Equestrians USA, defines matchy-matchy as “the addicting obsession to dress your horse and/or yourself in matching attire.”

Why Matchy-Matchy Equestrian Style?

Part of the appeal of dressing matchy-matchy is that anyone can do it, regardless of discipline, body type or age.

“Price doesn’t matter either,” says Alvarado. “Matchy-matchy fits any color, shape, size, budget or skill set.”

Alvarado, a dressage rider from Washington, dove into matchy-matchy with a yearling named Moose.

“With my horse being as young as he was at the time, I didn’t have much to do with him other than basic groundwork, so I started to play dress up,” she says. “From there, my obsession—and my collections—grew.”

Alvarado formed her U.S.-based matchy-matchy group on Facebook in May of 2020 as a forum where people can buy and sell, ask questions or simply share pictures of themselves and their horses decked out in their color-coordinated best.

“At the time, there weren’t any groups dedicated to those who live only in the United States,” she explains. “This was a way to keep purchasing simple by not having to deal with currency conversion, overly delayed shipping times, and to promote smaller, local shops.”

Although the term “matchy-matchy” isn’t typically used in the western world, the concept is alive and well. Western lifestyle blogger and Horse Illustrated contributor Raquel Lynn of Los Angeles explains what motivates riders to coordinate with their horses.

“You work really hard taking care of your horse and you want them to look good,” she says. “Putting nice tack on a horse is a finishing touch.”

How to Get Started

For western riders, the sky’s the limit with matchy-matchy. “There are a ton of options in colors and print,” says Raquel. “For example, a barrel racer could put turquoise boots on their horse and have saddle pad wear-leathers in turquoise. More options are light oil tack, dark oil tack, or black tack, which is trending now.”

She cites cowhide print, serape and sunflowers as popular at the moment.

Some equestrian brands are known for creating sets that are perfect for matchy-matchy aficionados. These include matching saddle pads, fly bonnets and brushing boots or polos. Alvarado names a few of the major brands in the English realm as PS of Sweden, Equestrian Stockholm, Eskadron, and Equito. For western lovers, Raquel says Desert Rose Equine is known for coordinating stirrups, breast collars and headstalls, and Harris Leather and Silverworks have all the varying shades of tack.

Alvarado identifies the two biggest struggles of being matchy-matchy are limited supply and price gouging.

“With matchy-matchy becoming more popular, finding certain items can be difficult,” she says. “There are several sets that have been declared ‘unicorns,’ because they are very rare and hard to come by.”

For example, PS of Sweden is known to have two ‘unicorns’ with the highly sought-after colors Couture Red and Pacific Ocean.

“Usually if you are patient, in time you will find what you consider a unicorn,” says Alvarado. Like wine, certain saddle pad sets become more valuable with age, becoming collectors’ items due to the rarity. And that is where price gouging can occur.

Matchy-Matchy Fun for All

For most riders swept up in matchy-matchy, the quest to find tack and accessories in perfect hues and the ability to add a splash of color and designs to your equestrian pursuits are just plain fun.

“What drives me to be matchy-matchy is the happy feeling it gives me,” says Alvarado. “I love dressing my horse up to look his best, and he quite enjoys being told how handsome he is on a regular basis, too. The best part of having my matchy-matchy Facebook group has been creating a space for people to share what makes them happy. Times are hard for everyone right now. If sharing your photos or purchases makes you happy, by all means, share away.”

The post Matchy-Matchy Equestrian Style appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.