Horse

Horse Riding Boots

When it comes to safety in horse riding, boots come second in importance only to the helmet. Horse riding boots keep you comfortable, protect your feet when around the yard and prevent the foot from slipping from the stirrups. A brief glimpse into the pages of horse riding history shows that these boots have always been made with high heels for the purpose of preventing the foot from slipping. Nowadays, horse riding boots are made in different styles and patterns for different purposes. Boots for show and pleasure are not the same as those for field and hunting.

Types of horse riding boots

There are various kinds of boots. Broadly speaking, horse riding boots are divided into two: English and Western boots.

English equestrian boots These boots are made with soft leather that is of high quality. English boots are of different kinds like tall boots that come up to your knees and paddock boots that come just above the ankle. The long ones are preferred in competitions. They come in different styles and look graceful with their curved top. Long English boots are more stable and provide protection to the lower leg when compared to short ones. Hence, they are often used for dressage, jumping and cross-country riding. The short ones, meanwhile, provide the lower leg with more flexibility. The famous jodhpur boots and paddock boots belong in this category. Jodhpur boots are worn with jodhpur trousers that come down to the ankles. These boots have a zip and elastic on the side as well as a heel whereas paddock boots have laces on the front and a heel. Muck boots are short boots suitable for general handling and stable duties.

Western riding boots These boots are also available as long and short types. They are normally made of leather with a solid heel and sometimes have a decorative pattern on the calf area. Western boots are the ones that come up to your calf. These are normally made of cowhide but occasionally materials like alligator or snakeskin are used.

When you buy horse riding boots

Check online shops first before you actually buy. This helps you to get familiar with the market and the range and cost of boots. Have a clear idea in your mind about your favourite types of riding. There are specific boots for specific purposes. As with other horse riding equipment, boots should also be bought that correctly fit the rider. Correctly sized boots are safer for riding than ones that are too loose or too tight. Heels and sole tread are important parts in horse riding boots. Hence, take special notice of both when you buy your boots.

Cleaning the horse riding boots

Cleaning of your boots should be done carefully and frequently since they are made of fine leather and are therefore expensive. There are several things to be noted while cleaning. Cleaning with neatsfoot oil makes the boots clean but not if you need a good polish on your boots. Once you clean your boots, let them sit overnight before you polish them. Don't let water penetrate the leather when you wash it. While cleaning the sole, do not apply water directly. Instead, wet a rag and apply it on the sole. Let your perspiration get absorbed by your socks. Never omit wearing socks while wearing horse riding boots.