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How should I care for my Hunter Boots?
White marks have appeared on my Hunter boots...
How should I care for my Ariat boots?
How often should I replace my riding hat?
Can you explain the safety standards for body protectors?
We want you to enjoy your Hunter boots and for them to last. So please be kind to them and follow the simple guidelines below to ensure they are loved and cared for.
Maintenance
Wipe and dry naturally after use. Only use lukewarm, soapy water. Never use solvents to clean. Store in a cool, dry, dark location away from sources of ozone and never store boots whilst damp. Avoid storage near sources of artificial heat or direct sunlight. Do not store folded or creased. In hot or humid weather, white marks may appear on the boots. This is not a defect but a release of protective wax that can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. For boots with zippers, zipper teeth should be kept clean and free of dirt.
Hunter manufacture several products to maintain the ‘like new’ appearance of your Hunter Rubber Boots. You may wish to consider purchasing Hunter Boot Buffer (LINK TO PRODUCT HERE) with your boots. Hunter Boot Buffer restores the natural finish to your rubber boots quickly and easily.
Occasionally, it is possible that white marks will appear on your Hunter wellington boots. This is a phenomenon called 'blooming' and is your boots attempting to protect themselves from environmental damage.
Every Hunter wellington boot is made from 100% natural ingredients and small amounts of wax are included in the rubber compound during the vulcanisation process that is used to make each pair. When exposed to certain environmental factors, this wax can "bloom" to the surface and appear as white or blue marks.
This is not a defect with the boots, and is completely natural. If this does happen, you can wipe this blooming clean with a warm, damp cloth.
Like any leather footwear proper care of your Ariat boots is one of the best things you can do to prolong their life. Good leather care includes cleaning, conditioning, polishing and protection against the elements. We stock various leather care products (LINK TO LEATHER CARE PAGE HERE) which when used regulary will ensure you get the most out of your Ariat purchase.
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This is largely based on use, exposure to the elements and the treatment of your riding hat or helmet. However, due to evolving helmet standards, technologies and the potential for unseen material deterioration, it is recommended that you replace your helmet once every three years. Should you be involved in a riding accident your riding hat should be replaced immediately. For further information on rider safety please refer to www.beta-uk.org.
There are three categories of protection as follows:
Level 3: - Purple 2000. A body protector conforming to BETA 2000 Level 3 will provide a level of protection that is considered appropriate for normal horse riding, competitions and for working with horses.
Level 2: - Brown 2000. A body protector conforming to BETA 2000 Level 2 will provide a lower level of protection than Level 3 and is only considered appropriate for use in low risk situations.
Level 1: - Black 2000. A body protector conforming to BETA 2000 Level 1 will provide a low level of protection that is only considered appropriate for licensed jockeys.
The Country Store stock Airowear body protectors, all of which have been manufactured and tested to meet the requirements of EN13158:2000, (European standard for 'Protective Jackets, Body and Shoulder Protectors for Horse Riders') The body protectors are also CE marked to show their confirmation to the Personal Protective Equipment Directive 89/686/EEC. In addition Airowear test to the BETA 2000 Standard for Horse Riders' Body and Shoulder Protectors.
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