Individuals who ride horses can be referred to as 'equestrians' although an equestrian is mostly thought of as a horse rider in a competition rather than a cowboy.
Equestrians ride in competitions such as the Olympic Games and Gymkhanas.
These games are usually costly to enter and so are considered rich people's sports.
In these sports the skill of the horse is equally as important as the skill of the equestrian.
The health and fitness of the horse and its rider are of paramount importance.
The vet will take care of the horse's inner being and the stable boy will take care of its external care.
Part of this care depends on using proper horse blankets some of which are known as horse rugs or horse sheets.
Horse blankets are used to protect the horse from the elements in much the same way as we use clothes.
Race horses are highly strung animals and can become sick fairly quickly if they are not looked after in the right manner.
They have to be treated like an Olympic sportsman would take care of himself.
When a horse has been exercising, which mostly means running or jumping, it will develop a sweat.
When it stops exercising, it will get a chill unless looked after.
This is where anti-sweat or cooling rugs come in.
These rugs have a fine mesh weave, which allows the horse's skin to breathe, which means that the sweat will evaporate without the horse cooling down too quickly.
There is also a fly sheet or fly rug which will keep horse flies, mosquitoes and other insects off the horse whilst it is at rest, grazing in a field.
The fly sheet can have other attachments to protect its neck and head.
These additional pieces are known as neck covers, bonnets and fly masks.
This full kit provides better protection from insects which can spread diseases as mosquitoes do in humans.
A summer sheet is a lighter form of rug, which will protect the horse from insects and direct sunlight during the warmer months.
They can also be used as travel rugs while the horse is in his trailer.
Under blankets or liners are used under heavier blankets to inhibit rub or friction from weighty stable rugs.
These under blankets are often made from wool because it is soft, natural and absorbent.
Stable rugs are used to keep the horse warm during the colder winter months and they come in several thicknesses and weights much the same as duvets come in various tog values.
Turnout rugs are more like overcoats and are long enough to wrap around underneath the horse's belly to protect it from the chill and rain.
These turnout rugs also come in different thicknesses for protection against different degrees of cold.
Turnout rugs can also be utilized in the summer, but they are significantly thinner than the winter kind.