When you ride a horse, you need to feel comfortable. Imagine a wonderful ride being ruined because you chose the wrong boots!
Any horse rider will tell you, the first thing to do when you want to ride a horse is buy a suitable pair of horse riding boots.
When buying riding boots, there are several factors to take into account:
- Style
- Budget
- Riding Level
Many people purchase short riding boots because these are relatively economical and convenient to look after.
Long boots are favoured by anyone competing, like dressage or competition riding, but they tend to be more expensive and difficult to keep clean.
Which option is better?
It all depends on what sort of riding you do and personal taste and preference.
Short boots are better for yard work, arena riding and if you are one of those riders that just want to jump on your horse and go.
They are also favoured by novice and younger riders.
For competitive equestrians long riding boots are a necessity, and offer greater support for the ankles and feet.
Long boots will also protect your legs from scratches and injury from vegetation if you hack a lot in the countryside.
Whatever the style, your boot of choice needs to fit your foot and lower leg as best it can.
Short vs Long Riding Boots
The difference between short and long riding boots may seem like just a matter of length.
However, there are various specific factors you need to be aware of prior to reaching a conclusion.
Short Riding Boots
A lot of young people prefer short riding boots because they have a shorter cut and shorter leg section.
Typically, they are designed to provide increased freedom for leg and ankle movement, aiding younger or novice riders in learning to ride and communicate with their horses effectively.
They are excellent for riding, but offer less support and protection once you are on the horse.
They require much less effort. Despite the fact that all boots should be polished, short riding boots can be manually buffed with a damp cloth.
Advantages:
- Simple to maintain
- Less expensive
- Offer increased mobility
- Perfect for going out on a peaceful ride
Disadvantages:
- Not as fashionable as long boots
- May not be appropriate for every style of riding
- May rub and lead to discomfort from the stirrups
Long Riding Boots
British riders’ viewpoints on particular aspects of equestrian equipment and dressage may appear quite traditional. Long or tall boots are the top pick for competitive horse riding since they are usually a requirement to be able to compete.
Long boots are usually crafted from smooth leather, typically lined with suede, hence the higher price.
They are designed to reach just below the knee and provide improved support for the rider’s ankle and calf.
Advantages:
- A more classic and traditional appearance
- Offer additional support
- No need to purchase additional chaps or gaiters
- Requirement for competitive riding
Disadvantages:
- Pricier than short riding boots
- Can feel a little warm at higher temperatures
- Need additional cleaning, maintenance and upkeep
Summary
How long or short your riding boots are will depend to a large extent on individual preferences as well as which type of riding you’re doing.
Boots that you ride in need to be comfortable; so do boots that you wear while you clean stalls, feed horses, and bring in hay bales.
We would advise you to try boots on before you buy them to see if they are comfortable.
Feature image supplied. Other images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
