Friday Fashion Tip Number 9. Dressing your horse for cross country.

This is what your horse should wear for competing in cross country.

English Jumping Saddle.

Saddle pad in any color.  A half pad can also be worn for extra protection.

English Bridle.  The bridle chosen for cross country often has fancy nosebands that offer more control.

More variation of bits are allowed when riding in cross country.  Including hackamores and gag bits like the one shown below.

Your horse should wear a breastcollar to keep the saddle from slipping over the jumps at high speeds. A martingale can be attached to this if your horse needs it.

Your horse should wear protective boots on all four legs to protect his tendons.

It is also a good idea to have your horse wear bell boots on his front legs so he doesn't cut his front legs with his back hooves landing after jumps.

Your horse should have studs on his shoes.  These are the horse version of cleats that help your horse keep solid footing.  They come in different designs for different types of footing and screw on and of the shoes.  You DONT want to be stepped on when your horse is wearing studs.