How Equestrian Footwear Is So Different These Days

Equestrian footwear has come a long way since those pioneering days of horse riding, when those very basic, but almost always leather boots were created and manufactured for whatever purpose you had in mind. Today, riding boots come in all types of configuration, all shapes and sizes and are selected according to your riding preference.

While Western riding boots, or cowboy boots, are perhaps best well known and have developed into quite a fashion statement themselves, boots designed for English riding are very diverse indeed. You really must decide what you plan to do when riding before you select your boots, or of course have a wardrobe of different boots according to your selection of the day. Western boots are so universal that they have developed into a chosen item of fashion for many social occasions and can often be seen "out on the town."

You can find English riding boots designed for use in hunting, Paddock, dressage or field events, or indeed for casual purposes. Wear them with different styles of clothing, or with breeches or jodhpurs. If you intend to participate in show jumping or dressage you will need the stiffer, longer riding boots leading up to the knee. As these are no good for active events like jumping, shorter boots are chosen here, which lace up to the ankles.

If you're looking for a comfortable fit, why not select short boots and pair them with half chaps as many amateurs do, giving more protection for your lower body. Half chaps can also be worn to give the impression that you are wearing longer riding boots when you are not.

Riding boots are not just designed to look good, but they are also very functional and protective as well. They are very sturdy in structure and designed to protect the legs and feet in the event of some kind of incident. The best riding boots will also be designed to stop the feet from slipping from the stirrups, especially during active participation.

For the longest time, boots designed for jumping and active events would only come with a smooth sole. The idea here was that if you did get into trouble and were thrown or fell off the horse, the smooth sole would allow your foot to slip freely away from the stirrup and you wouldn't get dragged around to your detriment. However, these days you'll often find that these riding boots have "grippy" soles and riders do report a much more positive experience as far as control is concerned. Now, whenever they jump over a hurdle or obstacle they feel much more stable and in charge than they may have before. If you choose this route, just make sure that your stirrup leathers will come off the saddle completely, if you were unfortunate enough to fall and your foot didn't come with you, as it were. Place the safety latch in the right place before you start.


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Nick Morgan is a true professional when it comes to the finer points relating to equestrian footwear. To learn everything you could want to know about riding boots, visit the site at ... http://www.derbyhouse.co.uk/