Breathing to improve your riding performance

Breathing is something we all do, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. Yet this banal observation belies a fascinating truth: we may all breathe but very few of us breathe as well as we could. Research shows that unborn babies are more efficient at breathing than adults. Indeed, we breathe best when we are least aware of it – when we are asleep.

 

Learning to improve our breathing is a brilliant way of coping with stress. Its free, simple and can be used instantly to calm us, whenever we feel unable to cope.

 

When we get distressed we breathe in a manner called chest breathing. The focus as the mane implies is around our chest: our breathing becomes shallow, irregular and rapid. Less air is able to reach our lungs and this in turn leads to an increased heart rate and greater muscle tension.

 

The alternative form of breathing is known as diaphragmatic breathing. Rather than the emphasis being on our chest, we breathe with our diaphragm – a membrane is naturally taut and expands when we breathe in, gently moving back into place to help us breathe out.

 

Whereas chest breathing is shallow, irregular and rapid, diaphragmatic breathing is deep, even and loose and allows the respiratory system to work as effectively as possible (it does this by using the full amount of oxygen dioxide to be removed). As chest breathing leads to increased heart rate and muscle tension, diaphragmatic breathing lowers our heart rate and normalises our blood pressure.

 

The goal is to learn to breathe using our diaphragms. If we do that we can put our bodies into a state closer too relaxation rather than closer to stress.

 

The Kan body protector allows you to take full diaphragmatic breathe allowing you to perform at your optimum

"The body protector arrived and it's perfect. My daughter is very happy with it. You didn't say to much: yours is the best!!! We will promote the KAN bodyprotector"
John Van Herk - Netherlands
"I put my KAN body protector to the ultimate test.  The horse somersaulted and as he rolled over me, I heard my hat crack.  He seemed to be on top of me for ages until he struggled to his feet.  When we both got to our feet I was truly amazed, delighted and enormously grateful that I had been wearing my KAN body protector. I will always wear my KAN and am proud to promote it as I cannot believe how unscathed I was in coming away from this incident.
It is the only body protector that I have had that I forget I’m wearing; it becomes part of you."
Nicola Wilson, Team GBR WEG Gold medal winner 2010
"Some years ago I fractured 2 vertebrae so having a good body protector is very important to me. With Kan Teq’s superb design I feel safe and have the movement which other body protectors don’t always allow"
Izzy Taylor
"I bought one of your new Body Protectors from Badminton Horse Trials last year and unfortunately I have suffered a very serious fall XC schooling recently. Thanks to the body protector I have sustained injuries that will heal in time. The Kan body protector provided me with the highest level of protection possible. I strongly believe that if I hadn’t been wearing my Kan body protector I would now be in a wheelchair."
Kerry Arnold-Herrick
“Finally a body protector that allows for a women’s shape. Once on it is comfortable and lightweight, it is also breathable and flexible. I also liked the way it was curved to fit the spine.”
Lottie Prentice
"Just thought I would let you know I am really pleased with this body protector. I was unfortunate enough to hit the deck at Mattingly, however I had no bruises and no aches afterwards, unbelievable."
Debbie
"I am delighted with the fit and the amount of mobility I have with my Kan body protector. Although I hate wearing body protectors this one is by far the most comfortable and I am very pleased with the purchase".
Hannah Walker
"I had a fall on one of my horses and broke my femur, however when the paramedics got to me, along with one of the organizers i was told that my body protector was absolutely fantastic and it was the best they have seen and without it my injury most probably would have been a lot worse."
Rowan Haywood
"I went to a pony club one day event with a couple of babies last weekend and it was much more breathable and more comfortable than my normal one. I had much more movement and I hardly noticed that I was wearing a body protector at all - which was really nice because I have always felt restricted in my other one. So far so good, I’m really impressed with it!!"
Charlotte Castle
"I absolutely adore the Kan body protector. The attention to detail in the design is evidently enormous. The shape & support it provides is fantastic, it makes me feel very safe which I think nowadays in this sport is imperative. I would just like to thank Kan Teq for (without sounding too over-dramatic!) saving my life. I had fall at an event in June and the horse stood on my arm- causing serious muscle damage, smashed out two teeth, and stood on my ribcage (with two studs in!). The Kan is not only revolutionary in its shape, comfort and breathability, it is a lifesaver!"
Eleanor Barnes Graham
"This body protector allows me to breathe and maintain my own oxygen levels and performance; I find the Kan very comfortable and my movement is not restricted at all"
Jeanette Brakewell
"The body protector arrived last week and I am thrilled with it. The back length is perfect and it's a good snug fit. I loved being able to deal directly with the person who designed the product and I am sure that you will go from strength to strength. (I am raving about the Kan to all of my friends.) Wishing you the best of luck with your company for the future."
Helen W
"I just wanted you to know that I am currently enjoying the benefits of my Kanteq body protector bought this year after visiting your stand at Badminton. I have come off twice this month so far in exactly the same way that I have done in past years when my (normally extremely docile) mare Silk gets her Winter spirit and leaps around for excitement at the mere prospect of a canter ahead across fields and dumps me out of the side door!  Every time it's happened in the past, I somersault over her shoulder and land on my back and every other time I've hurt my shoulder, sometimes taking months to really get right again (even though I was wearing a body protector). This time there has been not a single bruise or strain (apart from the neck muscles from the jolt)- brilliant!!"
Gina
"I received the body protector. It's amazing! Thank you so much for all the trouble you went to. I think it'll be perfect"
Nadia. Australia
"Just a little note to sat thank you so much for sending me two body protectors to try on. I am so grateful. Fantastic service. I love my new Kan. Fits me like a glove."
Helen Mc
"This is an amazing body protector. We hesitated about buying it because of the price but could see what an exceptional safety product it was. I’m so glad I bought it – it turned out it saved my life. I would recommend it to all horse riders from happy hackers to competitors."
Celia. Somerset