How to protect yourself from the sun when horse riding

Here in Australia, the sun is intense. Long gone are the days of being outside without protection from the sun ☀️ 

With an increase in melanomas we have become more and more aware of the dangers of being exposed to the sun for too long and how extremely damaging it can be to our skin. 
Another factor is the extreme heat ! Keeping cool and protected is number one priority when riding. 
Here are some tips to protect yourself this summer :

Water !!!

The first mention of course has to be water ! Make sure you stay hydrated, this should be your number one priority. I think this is pretty self explanatory.

Always wear a hat. But not any hat will do. Why ?

Well, let me tell you. When I first arrived in Australia (from Germany) I used to always wear baseball hats. Because that was absolutely enough in Germany. Until I got really burnt on my ears. Not just once, but multiple times. And yes, a lump formed …. I had to get it cut out…. 
I have learned my lesson, a baseball hat is just not good enough in summer.

ALWAYS WEAR A HAT WITH BRIM ! There are some beautiful businesses here in Australia selling absolutely stunning hats, like our friends at Boutique Equines. Do yourself a favour and check out their beautiful range of hats !

Clothing, especially sun shirts, long sleeve of course.

I feel like there are a ton of shirts out there now catering for this. So it is not hard to find a sunshirt as such. What is hard to find is shirts made from good materials, a comfortable fit for all sizes and a fabric that doesn’t smell and isn’t clingy, so truely keeps you cool. 
Should you still be looking for the ultimate sunshirt, check out our range at Wilmont Equestrian. We have developed a special micro hole lightweight material that is mot clingy, protects you from the sun but still allows airflow. We cater for all sizes from XS to 4XL and our cut is flattering and airy whilst still holding a feminine shape. Definitely don’t miss out on these beautiful

Find shade and ride in the mornings or at night 

Especially during the very hot summer days, avoid riding in the middle of the day, not just for yourself but also your horse. Ride early in the mornings or late at night. And trust me, it’s a beautiful and magical time of the day ! If you can’t avoid the heat, make sure you include lots of breaks in the shade and stay hydrated !