Security strap

NECK STRAPS ARE often associated with young or sharp horses. However, all kinds of riders use them, and all have their own reasons for doing so — even five-star and Olympic eventer William Fox-Pitt is well known for always using one, including at the very highest level of competition.

Mitty Hardy runs a schooling and sales livery yard in Herefordshire. She competes up to two-star level at British Eventing, and in British Showjumping and British Dressage competitions.

“I have a lot of horses who are just backed or fresh. I always use a neck strap on an unknown horse for extra security. When we are training our youngsters, a neck strap means we can leave the horse’s mouth alone, which is so important. When they are young