What’s new: Hackamac

With shorter days and wet and windy conditions making riding potentially hazardous, especially if roadwork is unavoidable, your riding gear needs to perform a multiple of tasks. So instead of going out and spending a fortune on waterproof trousers, rain sheets, saddle covers, jackets and fluorescent clothing, why not buy one item that caters for all your needs?

The Hackamac is an extra long riding jacket that, when fully extended, covers the rider’s legs, their saddle and the horse’s back and quarters, forming a full length riding jacket and rain sheet in one. It offers protective wear for the rider, horse and manages to keep your saddle dry too. No longer will your legs and saddle get soaked through.

Inspired by the mounted police’s uniform, the Hackamac includes a removable reflective ‘Caution Horse and Rider’ sign. This is complimented by a reflective lining to help riders stay visible to drivers during poor weather conditions of British winters.

The Hackamac is available either in a ballistic nylon or waxed fabric with an acrylic lining. The ballistic nylon is washable and available in a combination of colours including high visibility yellow. The waxed version is available in traditional olive, navy and rustic. It has been designed to be suitable for use in both summer showers and winter weather alike.

This practical jacket has internal pockets, a two-way zip, adjustable leg straps and a Velcro fillet string to secure the coat in place. Walking, mounting and dismounting are made easy with two front fasteners keeping the Hackamac out of the way until you are safely in the saddle when they can be released to allow the coat to fall easily into place. It also comes with a detachable hood that can fit over your riding hat.

The Hackamac is available in a range of sizes: mini (9 years child and/or 12 hands pony), junior (to 13 years and/or 14hands), small (approx 30-32” chest), medium (approx 34-36” chest) and large (approx 38-42” chest) and extra large (44-50” chest) size, and horses from 14hh-18hh. It costs around £99, plus post and packing, and is available direct from the manufacturers at www.hackamac.co.uk or (tel: 0870 750 3777)