Fouganza innovation: half chap socks!

It's been a while since I had not talked to you about Fouganza, Décathlon's riding brand!

This article will make you forget about my mistake as it is targeted on their new innovation: the half chap socks!

The concept: the sock is reinforced at the level of the calf level so that you can ride without half chaps, without hurting your legs.

But why would you ever want to ride without half chaps?

Well, for many reasons! Some people just like riding without them. Also when the weather is really hot, it can be annoying to put your half chaps in leather on as you will get really warm. You can also put the socks in your locker for the day when you will forget your half chaps (don't tell me it never happened to you, I would not believe you).

It can also be useful when you start this wonderful sport that is horse-riding and that you do not know if you are going to enjoy the activity or not. Then, investing in a pair of half chaps can be risky if you realize on your second lesson that being flung to the ground horse-riding is not your sport. Then, the half chap socks can be great for you!

For the time being, only two sizes are available: from size EU 35 to 38 (UK 2.5 to 5) and from EU 39 to 42 (UK 5.5 to 8).

The socks can be washed in the washing machine and they are available on Décathlon's website (UK: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/black-half-chap-socks-id_8279196.html). They cost 17.95€, £14,99.

Waldhausen boots are dead, welcome Norton boots!

After 5 months of collaboration in order to protect Totem from himself, I can officialy declare that the Waldhausen stable boots (Article here) are done. They have been a great ally during these five months, as Totem did not hurt himself once!

They broke around the fetlock area, the neoprene lining because of frictions did not resist and now there are some holes in the stable boots.

Mmh yummy!

I could have bought another pair of Waldhausen stable boots as I was happy with them but the Norton stable boots were sold with a 30% discount. 

At the time I wrote this article in french, Totem was wearing the boots for around two weeks. But now we are in May, and I can tell you that the Norton stable boots lasted for 4 months, the exact same period as the Waldhausen.

The Norton boots are a bit difficult to place on the horse leg at first but once they took the shape of the leg (after 2 use), they become really easy to use.  

Sometimes we can read that the stable boots can nearly have the same effect as standing bandages but on Totem it does not. Totem is always a bit congested on its hind legs before exercising and the stable boots do not help at all on this matter.

Last information, I bought a stable boots pack (fore legs + hind legs). On the picture, it is the fore legs boots I put on the hind legs (no use for me to put the boots on Totem's fore legs). It is ok to use them like that, the legs remain well protected, they are just a little less high than the hind legs boots.

Métalab spurs

As I was spending my holidays in "Le Touquet", last August with Totem (by the way I totally advise you the stables, horses are really well treated and there are a lot of riding paths), I went to the showjumping on the wonderful grounds the stables own.

Of course, I could not stop myself from going shopping but I stayed reasonable and only fell for Metalab spurs, the Prince of Galles kind, with rubber on the sides.

At first, their price scared me a little (43€! (talking about that, I did not understand it all, on Métalab website, they cost 53€...), but still, I wanted to try my first pair of spurs covered in rubber, hoping that the price would be related with the spur's life expectancy.

After 9 months of using the spurs around 2-3 times per week, they remain the same (that would have been a great scam if not...). They are really nice to wear, you don't feel them and the fact that they are covered in rubber and also that they have a technology that makes that they cannot slip (picture below) make that they do not move at all while you are riding.

I am really satisfied with them!

Small advice however: with these spurs, it is better to get leather or fake leather straps as the nylon ones slip from the "S" holes (let me reassure you, not when the spur is on the boot, only when it's not).

PS: The "souvenir" picture of Totem and I having a great time during our holidays:

Sure thing: we will be back in Le Touquet for the next holidays!