The ReitenRight Difference

When researching which additive is ideal for your arena there are a few things to keep in mind. The type of sand you plan to use or currently have, how much maintenance is required (including watering or specific equipment required for grooming), and the climate are just a few factors to consider.

What is ReitenRight?

ReitenRight is made from all natural rubber yoga mats, a premium material to create premium footing. The open cell rubber is structured to retain moisture helping to reduce dust and frequency of watering, while significantly increasing the cushioning and overall energy return to your footing. This high performance footing, unlike many options in its class, is a low maintenance additive with simple upkeep and install, with the ability to be used with any type of harrow or drag.

ReitenRight is compatible with a wide variety of sands and footing combinations. ReitenRight can be a great solution for your arena if your current sand has little to no cushion, a tendency to pack, or needs help controlling dust. With it's open-cell properties, ReitenRight allows your sand to have a little space in between preventing it from packing and bringing new life back into an older sand without having to replace it. If adding ReitenRight to a new build, you will ideally want to use an angular sand in a medium particle size. Choosing a sand with a good amount of traction and stability on its own is key, as ReitenRight, being a rubber additive, will not bind a fine/loose sand, but it will supply a great deal of cushioning and energy return. We recommend our clients to download our Sand Guide to better help navigate and inform them of sand options and abilities.

What sets ReitenRight apart from other rubber additives?

When most people think of a rubber additive, they think of old school crumb rubber which is a black closed cell rubber made from tire regrind. Crumb rubber does help increase the cushioning to sand, however being closed cell it has limited abilities and will not aid in dust control or water retention. Crumb rubber does contain carcinogens which as it begins to breakdown can be quite toxic and will require top-ups on a more frequent basis.

When comparing ReitenRight to other foam/ rubber additives keep in mind although they may look similar, they differ in abilities and price for many reasons.

Most are aware ReitenRight is a colourful additive; which at first glance, may look similar to other foam additives on the market, and while the material used sounds similar, they preform quite differently. 

ReitenRight is made from high grade open cell yoga mats and differ from other foam additives that are closed cell and EVA based. In terms of performance, ReitenRight holds the unique ability to retain moisture and unlike lighter EVA based rubbers it can stay better blended within your sand.

We put it to the test with EVA rubber on the left and ReitenRight on the right. The weight and open celled structure allows ReitenRight to stay submerged in the water and avoid floating to the top, which can be important when footing is outdoors and exposed to the elements.

How does ReitenRight and Fibre compare and/or complement each other?

ReitenRight and Fibre additives are two very different additives but can work extremely well together! Fibre is meant to bind to create stability and traction while ReitenRight is meant to supply cushioning, energy return and water retention. It also has the ability to help with compaction in fibre arenas, which can have a tendency to pack and become too tight or sticky over time, causing unnecessary stress on the horse’s tendons/ligaments and joints. Instead of removing the footing and starting fresh which is very costly many customers have chosen to add ReitenRight to their existing fibre arenas to correct those issues.

We have had wonderful feedback from clients who have added ReitenRight to their arenas. Curious to learn more about the complimentary combination? Hear some testimonials from Christine Traurig and Guy McElvain.

All The Pretty Things

Left: Pikeur Amelia short coat Right: Pikeur Lilien Tailcoat

With show season in full swing in some areas and gearing up in others we have started to see the latest fashion trends in the warm up , show rings and everyday schooling. Whether your style is more Meryl Streep or Elton John there is something for everyone! I went over to one of our local shops in Langley, BC which has been a staple in the community called The Dog N’ Pony Shop. You can find everything you could possibly need (and want!) in one place. From custom boots, helmets, breeches, saddles pads you name it, Nina has it.

Let’s start with the evolution of show jackets. The days of hot, heavy, wool coats are long gone (Thank-you!) and welcome to the world of innovative fabrics in every colour combination you can imagine (not to mention bling). Pikeur has always been an absolute favourite of mine, the fit, the style, the fabrics; they really have it down. For a short coat their new Amelia jacket is absolutely beautiful, it’s lightweight, stunning bling details on the pockets and collar with a hidden zipper under the buttons to avoid any pulling (ladies this is a real win if you’re busty!). The Pikeur Lilien Tailcoat with rose gold details is a show stopper, who doesn’t love rose gold?!

Let’s talk about matching sets! Wether you save your fancy sets for clinics or you embrace it in your everyday riding you can’t help but want to add to your collection with some of these stunners! If classic black with a twist is your style or you like to stand out from the crowd then the PS of Sweden set is for you (with matching DeNiro boots).

Helmets were not always a staple for every rider, it was very common to see trainers schooling horses in baseball hats rather than protective headgear but times have changed (for the better!). FEI even made it mandatory that all riders must wear protective headgear anytime they are mounted as of January 2021, pack away your top hats! I think after Courtney King-Dye’s accident in 2010 we began to see more and more riders opting for helmets instead of baseball hats.

Helmet technology and style has come a long way over the years and continues to advance, they are so comfortable and breathable now there is no excuse not to wear one. There are 3 tests that help determine how well a helmet performs, minimum standards must be met to be certified.

OneK Helmet with MIPS technology

- The impact test corresponds to a horse rider falling on his head. It measures the helmet’s ability to absorb a blunt impact.
- The side-distortion test simulates the squashing of the helmet by a horse. It measures the ability of the helmet to resist distortion.
-The penetration test measures the resistance the helmet offers to a pointed object that could penetrate the ventilation area.

OneK has developed their latest technology with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), statistics show that falls are often on an angle rather than linear. Rotational motion and impact can cause damage to the brain tissue leading to concussions and/or severe damage to the brain. With MIPS it reduces the rotational motion which can reduce the risk of brain damage. No one expects to fall but accidents happen!

Checkout The Dog N’ Pony Shop on Facebook or visit them in the store! They will also take orders over the phone and ship 604-532-2060.

https://www.facebook.com/dogand.ponyshop/?ref=page_internal

Pilates for Equestrians

ReitenRight client, Sandra Verda Zanatta is not only a High-Performance Coach and Grand Prix competitor but is also the owner and founder of Fit to Ride Pilates for Equestrians. F2R Pilates is an excellent total body workout that focuses on core strength and stability while addressing symmetry, flexibility, coordination and balance.

“In my Pilates studio it is important to provide clients with a safe, comfortable space allowing them to improve their posture and alignment to promote correct, functional body mechanics; the same goes for my horses training environment. It is imperative to have a safe, functional surface for my horses to work on. For this reason, I added ReitenRight to my existing sand. The result was improved shock absorption and just the right amount of grip and stability. These qualities allow my horses to train comfortably and confidently resulting in correct muscle development, improved balance and self-carriage.”

— Sandra Verda Zanatta

Sandra Verda Zanatta and Wilhelm

Here are some of Sandra’s top exercises for Equestrians!

Foam Roller Balance:

Lay flat on the foam roller, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Relax your neck and shoulders, take a few deep breaths and when you exhale draw your bellybutton in slightly towards your spine to engage your core, then extend your arms up. Inhale, bend elbows and repeat.

Once you feel stable, lift one leg. When the leg lift feels solid and you can maintain balance then extend arms at the same time as your leg lift. Repeat on the other side.

Ball sit with a resistance band

Focus on your posture and sitting equal on your seat bones. Put a flex band around your back and extend both arms forward while sitting tall and connecting your core (draw bellybutton towards spine). Keep your shoulder blades flat and your back in a neutral position when you extend elbows. As you extend your arms forward you should feel your core engage more. Adjust the tension on the band as needed.

One Leg Standing Balance

Stand on one leg with your knee slightly bent, close hip angle while keeping hips square and draw your bellybutton in. When you feel balanced and stable- exhale and keep your core engaged while extending one leg back and reaching both arms forward. Hold that position for 5 seconds then return to starting position and repeat.

For more information about Sandra and the programs offered please visit www.fit2ride.ca

Surviving Winter with Horses

As we approach winter and all its challenges that present themselves when caring for horses like freezing temperature, endless rain, snow, mud and all the other joyful factors that come into play, here are some tips to hopefully help you through it!

Clothing Essentials:

Riding in the winter can prove to be a challenge even for the lucky ones with access to an indoor arena. Working long hours in the freezing cold can seriously make you question why you chose this a profession or hobby and didn’t take up an easier (indoor) sport.

Fleece lined breeches are a worthwhile investment; if you are prone to Chillblains like I am you will not regret the investment when temperatures plummet. Pikeur and Eurostar are my personal picks! If having specific winter breeches is out of reach invest in some very good thermals: Under Armour has some really nice ones that fit very well under breeches without breaking the bank.

Along with your fleece lined breeches, good winter gloves are an absolute must! LeMieux makes an amazing winter glove you can actually ride in without feeling like you are about to go skiing. If the temperatures are especially grim, I will put hand warmers in my gloves; you can buy a jumbo box from Costco (they are also great in your boots!).

Heated jackets! Milwaukee makes a battery-operated heated jacket which has made a world of difference for coping in the extreme cold. The jacket has a low and high setting that distributes heat throughout the back, collar and front pockets. The battery fits into a pocket in the back of the jacket; the battery will last about 4 hours on the high setting and around 6 hours on the low setting. I purchased an extra battery so that I can have a charged extra one on hand, I personally use my jacket on the high setting for the majority of the day and turn it to low or off while I am riding. The battery is a little bulky in the back pocket so I would not suggest riding with it on your semi-wild (or very wild) ones.

In the Barn:

Solariums are wonderful to keep your horses warm while grooming before and after your ride but for most barns they are not in the budget. We do not have a solarium, but a heated blanket works wonders as well! I found a very large one at HomeSense for $30 CAD, not to mention it is also amazing to wrap around yourself while teaching. Another option is electric patio heaters, they can provide a decent amount of heat with a very low purchase price. The one pictured can be found on Amazon while other replicas can be seen in stores such as Home Depot or Rona.

Winter Footing care:

If you are in an area where your footing is prone to freezing in the Winter months there are a few things you can try to prevent it or at least prolong the riding season. Applying Magnesium Chloride will help prevent freezing as it pulls moisture from the air and footing. This reduces the temperature at which your footing would start to freeze at.

ReitenRight is a very effective additive for providing cushioning and energy return but the additive itself also does not freeze. This will help prevent your sand from hardening in the colder months. ReitenRight can also be used in sand paddocks to keep the ground softer to ensure our horses have a good safe footing not only in the arena but in their turnouts as well.

If you are interested in learning more about ReitenRight please reach out!