Get a grip on these gorgeous pro-touch performance gloves by LeMieux.

As the name suggests, these are a serious glove designed to stand up to serious use, but smart enough for the show ring with a lovely leather palm. I put mine to the test eventing on the hottest day of the year, but thanks to the mesh upper which provided ventilation, my hands stayed cool and they felt lightweight and comfortable. Silicone grip strips over the fingers meant that even when he was sweating from working in 32 degrees, the sweat on the reins didn’t cause me to lose grip which was handy, seeing as he was a bit keen cross country!

They fitted really nicely, and felt like they were durable enough to stand up to some abuse without looking tired. They come in four different colours; I chose the brown but I'm might tempted to buy another pair in navy for cross country matchy matchy. They even do waterproof and all weather versions, so they’ve really got you covered.

These get a big, super smart, silicone gripped, mesh ventilated thumbs up from me…and all under £20. Bargain.
Buy your from Horsehealth.co.uk here: 
http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/rider-dog/gloves/pro-touch-riding-gloves 

Looking for a summer weight, super light cooler rug? I tried out the brand new LeMieux Carbon Cooler rug from Horsehealth.co.uk and it didn't disappoint. Light in weight and thickness but certainly not light on features. Blue gave it a good test in warm conditions as a travel rug, and after work. Here's how it performed...

Multifunctional; use it as a cooler rug, a travel rug, or an under rug.

Excellent for sensitive horses; the fabric is ultra soft and made with comfort in mind. Reinforced soft fluffy padding protects the withers, and a shiny panel round the chest prevents friction and rubs. It survived the Blue test – I can adjust and move it without him making a face because it glides across the coat with pulling.

What’s cooler than being cool? Primarily designed as a cooler rug, its super lightweight fabric and mesh means it does what it says on the tin. Layers of woven nanofibers and mesh control airflow in a clever way – the top panels help to maintain temperature in key muscle groups (shoulder, back and hindquarters) while still proving breathable, and the lower mesh provides total breathability. No sweat.

Before, during and after; Use before work as a pre-warm up for cold muscles. Use between classes to cool down without letting the key muscles get cold. Use after work to cool down gently and dry off sweat without letting muscles get cold and stiff. I used it while competing at combined training after dressage, to help keep his muscles warm and loose before the showjumping. Worked a treat, he didn't feel cold or stiff after standing around between classes.

Quality fit and make; Like with all LeMieux rugs, this is completely true to size and the 6’3” was a perfect fit for Blue. The gun metal fastenings give a top quality finish, and also provide complete adjustability around the chest and surcingles.

​Brains and beauty; The contouring of the rug, the fabric and the design make it look like a right smart, sporty little number but don’t be fooled – it’s more than just a pretty face.  By far the lightest cooler I’ve had, but made with smart fabrics and styling to make it work as hard as it looks. We loved it!

Currently available in classic black or navy. Get yours here> ​http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/horsewear/lemieux-travel/lemieux-carbon-cooler-rug

Just a post-competition musing really, about something seemingly insignificant but which really stuck with me as a personal success.

On Sunday I took Blue to combined training. Having only been back in work for two weeks after time off with an injury, it really was meant as a training exercise for us. I focused on gently bringing him back into work, starting with a week of mainly just walking and roadwork and a lunging session.

The second week I started asking for a bit more – longer periods of trotting and a little canter work plus further lunging to help build his topline, and one schooling session where I’d hired an arena.

Something I’ve worked on consistently across the two weeks however, are our transitions and halting in particular. One of my biggest frustrations is that Blue can have a tendency to perform a nice halt but immediately feels his work is done, loses concentration, hollows and turns his head to have a look around before I can salute. Bit rude, that, and not the best impression to leave the judge with at the end of your test.

With no arena at home and limited fitness, I think there are certain really basic things you can still focus on which make a difference; in my case, that halt. All the more important as Novice 30 has two within the test.

I was really chuffed that even when Blue tired at the end of his test, our work on the halt had produced two really good movements where he remained attentive and in an outline. Yes it’s basic, and it’s only one small part of the test, but there’s something to be said for sweating the small stuff and working on things you can improve. With limited time, facilities and fitness, I wasn’t going to suddenly find ten marks for improving his suppleness or way of going - but I was able to ensure he nailed those two movements where I knew I could make a difference.

This time it was a quick win for me. But looking at the bigger picture, consistently working on those small things where you can influence a change and gain a mark here and there, is how you can end up finding that extra five or ten marks over time. 

As Van Gogh once said - great things are done by a series of small things brought together. How true.