Month: July 2018

The 2018 Just Chaps Mounted Games

Date posted: 26/07/2018

Mounted Games Ad

The 2018 Just Chaps Mounted Games

Just Chaps have teamed up with the Pony Club again this year to sponsor the Just Chaps Mounted Games.

With the finals now less than a month away, on 19th – 21st August during the Pony Club Championships at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, qualifiers are already underway out in the Zones.

These games test the rider, the pony – and the kit – and half chaps and gaiters from the Just Chaps range will be providing comfort and protection to competitors of all ages as always and will also feature in the prizes for the winners.

With Just Chaps now also the official supplier of the Pony Club’s own range of leather and neoprene half chaps and waterproof trousers and full chaps, you can feel part of the Pony Club team throughout the year – whatever the weather.

If you’re interested in taking part or learning more about this great sport within the Pony Club take a look here.

Come and meet the Just Chaps team and try some of the range on for size at our shop in the grounds of Cholmondeley Castle throughout the Championships or go to www.justchaps.com to order online.

How Young Can You Start Horse Riding?

Date posted: 26/07/2018

Dinky range for young riders

How young can you start horse riding?

You are never too old to start to riding, but like with a lot of sports, the younger you start the better!  The precise age might depend on how well the child can take instruction and how well coordinated they are.

Above anything else the jockey needs to be safe, so the right pony or horse and right equipment is paramount.  The British Horse Society provide excellent guidelines on riding hats and helmets as well as body protectors, so do take time to get correctly-fitting safety equipment.

If you are inexperienced, make sure that you have a British Horse Society qualified instructor, who will be able to give advice on the suitability of your pony or horse.

Younger children are very adept at learning to ride but will lack the physical strength needed, so it is very important to be aware of this and mount your child accordingly and keep them on the lead for as long as needed.  Even many adults are challenged by learning a new skill and how quickly you learn to ride is dependent on confidence, calmness, athletic ability and of course what level you want to ride at.  However, if you aim for weekly lessons you should notice your progress very quickly.

To get the very most out of learning to ride, you need to spend time with your horse, so learning to look after him, groom and tack up are also an important part of the journey.  Spending time with your horse is a great way to de-stress so make the most of learning general horsemanship.

To get the maximum enjoyment out of riding you need to be comfortable, so it is always a good idea to wear half chaps which will stop your lower leg getting pinched and sore by the stirrup straps.  At Just Chaps Ltd we have the widest range of half chaps and gaiters to suit any age, size or budget, please take a moment to have a look on our website www.justchaps.com.

Just Chaps half chaps start from age 2 – these are our Dinky range – and come in a number of different colours and for extra fun you can have a motif added, such as a daisy, star or hi viz hearts.  We also have a very wide range of half chaps and gaiters for adults, whatever your level.

Our friendly and experienced team at Just Chaps Ltd are always happy to help, so if in any doubt please drop us an email or pick up the phone.

What are the benefits of riding chaps?

Date posted: 19/07/2018

shorter dri riders

Just Chaps have been designing Riding Chaps since 2003 and have become the specialist in providing riders with the widest selection of both Half Chaps and Full Chaps and gaiters. Customers regularly ask, “what are the benefits of riding chaps?”. Here we look at why this riding essential is so key to every rider:

Benefit No. 1:  Protect from the weather

Wearing Full Chaps for riding – and even for mucking out and yard work – protects the rider from the cold, wind and wet. Wearing waterproof full chaps allowsriders to spend more time riding. If you are comfortable when spending time outdoors, even when the weather is bad, the rider can spend more time doing what they love most.

Benefit No. 2: Protect when hacking

If you spend time out hacking with your horse you will understand that from time to time your legs can get scratched by thorns, brambles and the like. Also most riders have at some stage or another had their leg bumped against a gate post or tree. Wearing riding chaps can help protect your legs from this type of scrape. Full Chaps will offer most protection here, but any Half Chaps will help.

Benefit No. 3: Protect from pinching

One of the most obvious benefits of wearing riding chaps is to stop the stirrup straps from pinching your lower leg. We all know how sore this can be! Wearing a well fitting pair of half chaps or gaiters will prevent this. Well-fitting here is key. Half Chaps that are loose will twist when riding, be uncomfortable and cause more problems. Chaps that are too tight will be uncomfortable too. We recommend that your Half Chaps be a good snug fit, to hug the lower leg so as not to twist while riding.  Take a look at our Sizing Guide and do contact our expert, friendly team if you’re unsure of your size.

Keeping you Clean

Wearing full chaps for riding, mucking out or preparing for shows will help to keep you much cleaner. We all know how tricky it can be to stay even vaguely clean when around horses, full chaps will help a lot here with all your horse activities.

Easier to Fit

Many riders choose Half Chaps or Gaiters over Tall Boots as it is generally easier to find a good fitting item. As we all know, riders legs come in all shapes and sizes and, more often than not, it is easier to find a well fitting pair of Half Chaps or Gaiters, especially if the rider does not want to pay a high price.

Style

Half Chaps gives the rider many style options…the rider can opt for a traditional look with Suede Half Chaps. A smart competition look with Saltos Gaiters, All Purpose Neoprene is the perfect everyday great fitting, great looking option. For a bit of fun, there are lots of coloured half chaps with added motifs.

If you feel your riding would benefit from a pair of Riding Chaps then the next question to ask is  “Do I need Full Chaps or Half Chaps?”  Full Chaps will essentially offer you more protection from the weather and environment, whereas Half Chaps protect the lower leg from pinching by the stirrup strap and are an inexpensive option for the rider. For more information, check out this topic in our recent post Do I need Full Chaps or Half Chaps? Or contact our expert, friendly team.

Mother and daughters riding ponies showing the benefits of wearing half chaps.

Do I Need Full Chaps or Half Chaps?

Date posted: 11/07/2018

Just Chaps are at the top of their game when it comes to offering the riding community half chaps and full chaps. Lots of customers ask, “Do I need full chaps or half chaps?” and we talk them through the differences and their options. Largely this is a personal choice but the first question we look at is “Why do I need to wear Riding Chaps?” In a nutshell this is to prevent the stirrup straps from pinching the lower leg while riding. Then we can answer the question “Do I need Full Chaps or Half Chaps?” Let’s explore both options.

Full Chaps

Full Chaps cover the whole length of the leg. Our extensive Dri Rider range of full chaps are largely worn to keep you warm, dry and clean. Waterproof and lightweight,  they can be worn all year round whether you’re mucking out or riding out. They will also help to prevent pinching of the lower leg caused by stirrup straps but most riders will also wear Half Chaps or Tall Boots underneath. Dri-Rider full chaps are available to fit children from Age 6 to Adult XL and to ensure the best fit, all adult sizes are available in 2 leg lengths.  Our Full Chaps come in two weights: a Fleece-Lined option, super cosy and comfortable for the colder weather or for people who just feel the cold; and a summer or lightweight version, without the fleece lining.

Summer-weight waterproof full chaps, perfect for keeping dry and clean.

Half Chaps

Half Chaps cover and protect the lower half of the leg when riding. They protect the inner lower leg from pinching of the stirrup strap and provide a flexible, inexpensive solution to all riders. Half Chaps can be made from Leather, Suede or man-made neoprene. Just Chaps have a wide range of sizes to fit almost everyone and we pride ourselves on developing a range that not only look great but feel great too. Getting the right size is important. Take a look at our sizing guide or visit our website for further help.

Now that you know the differences between the two options, you can browse our range of Full Chaps and Half Chaps and decide which option makes the most sense for your needs and budget. If you still can’t decide, talk to our friendly team, who will be able to give you some advice on which to try.