If you are into Western riding, a good pair of Western horse riding boots is imperative if you want to make each ride adequately comfortable and secure. Usually, the sorts of Western boots differ in the height of the uppers.

The tall Western boots also referred to as the tall “cowboy” or “riding” heels, have uppers that may extend up to the knees. They were initially created for use in fashion, as they have intricately designed uppers out of alligator, snakeskin, or ostrich that are quite expensive and their use for complex riding will prove to be impractical as they can only be destroyed due to constant rubbing against the saddle’s leather parts. However in the modern times, they are now used for actual horse riding, but with minimal designs on the uppers. The Western boots in mid-calf height keep the fenders of a Western saddle from rubbing against the ankles and calves of the rider. They are the most classic style of the Western boots as they are just enough to protect the calves and ankles, and comfortable enough to move without restrictions especially when going about hunting, herding, or roping around the farm. The low-cut “roper” style Western boots rise just a bit above the ankle to aid in more comfortable wear when going about the daily routines and errands around the barn.

It is best to have a number of pairs for horse riding, each pair with a specific purpose. Having one pair for a variety of purposes won’t be ideal as it will damage the pair sooner than expected.

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1. To prevent the legs from discomfort against the leathers of the saddle
2. To protect the calves and ankles from the fenders of the saddle
3. To protect feet from slipping from the stirrups

There are obviously plenty of boots to choose from in the online market and through local tack stores. However, be it known to you that the two most basic types of the riding boots are the English Equestrian riding boots and the Western “cowboy” riding boots.

The first consideration you should emphasized on when making your choice in riding boots is for what riding discipline you will be engaging in. usually, the low cut riding boots are ideal for everyday casual riding that do not entail complicated routines when riding on horses. Simply put, it may be used for pleasure riding. Children can also benefit from the low cut boots in their early stages of training because high cut boots can eventually become uncomfortable when the kids rapidly grows. Trailing typically requires high cut boots to protect your legs from dirt, water, mud, and tall grasses. High cut mountain horse riding boots are crucial in riding moments that require tougher footwear.

Horse riding shows and tournaments commonly prefer English riding boots that may belong among the groups of English boots for field, dress, and hunt or top. These boots are ideal for equitation, show jumping, eventing and other forms of English riding disciplines. The Western boots on the other hand are present in cowboy events and competitions such as rodeo, barrel racing, other forms of racing, reining, and roping.

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For this article, we will focus on Western horse riding boots. The other type of boots is what we know as the English riding boots that are usually in black and come just under the knee. The western style is also referred to as the cowboy boots, and we know that when we talk about cowboy boots, we speak of the brown colored ones. Although they may be available as well in black, its distinction is seen with its exotic styles and high heels. They are categorized into three types that differ primarily with height: high, intermediate, or low cowboy boots. The higher riding boots rise nearly to the knee, and its upper is widely decorated. The intermediate length, or shall we say the mid-calf length of cowboy boots is the most classic style that keeps the fenders of the Western saddle from rubbing against the ankle and calf of the rider. The lowest boots is similar to that of the English riding boot’s paddock type only that it is at least one inch higher.

Most Western horse riding boots are made of cowhide. They can also be made in suede. However, the uppers of the very expensive designs are usually made from exotic animals, like alligator, ostrich, and snakeskin.

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In general, riding boots are of two types: the English horse riding boots and the Western horse riding boots. The English boots are commonly seen on horse events that involve showing, jumping and galloping. The Western boots on the other hand are commonly visible at rodeo events that may involve barrel racing and herding. We will now focus more on the English riding boots.

The English riding boots can be categorized into tall boots or short boots. The tall boots end just a little below the knees that are commonly worn by competitive riders in jumping and dressage disciplines. Plenty of riding disciplines benefit from the tall boots as the legs are protected from rubbing against the leathers of the saddle. Some of these riding disciplines are hunt seat equitation, show jumping, fox hunting, and eventing. When looking for tall English riding boots, they may be referred by boot makers as field boots, dress boots, or hunt boots.

The shorter English riding boots are what we know as the paddock boots, also known as the Jodhpur boots. They rise just a little above the ankle and are commonly used for pleasure riding. They are also ideal for children beginning their training on horseback riding. A child’s rapid growth will not make the taller boots attractive for them as their legs will eventually increase in size as well, and insisting on the tall boots becomes eventually expensive when you buy at one point or another set of boots as soon as the child gets bigger. Instead, wearing half chaps to cover the legs that may sometimes be combined with the paddock boots is recommended.

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Typically, a pair of boots can either be an English equestrian style or a Western style. These are the two basic types of riding boots.

1. English equestrian horse riding boots. When we speak of English riding, we refer to riding styles intended for horse shows or pleasure riding. The English riding boot can be further categorized into the tall boots, or the shorter paddock boots. Tall boots are those boots that end just below the knee is mostly chosen for competitive riding such as jumper and dressage riding. Particular styles are created for more convenient riding to people engaging in hunt seat equitation, show jumping and eventing. The tall boots are also used in fox hunting. On the other hand, the shorter boots known as paddock boots (also called Jodhpur boots), rise just above the ankle for protection. Its use is normally for the purpose of everyday riding or pleasure riding. They are ideal for use among children as you won’t have to worry about the fast growth kids experience in which tall boots will not be flexible to adjust with.
2. Western horse riding boot. Also known as cowboy boots, they are commonly seen on rodeo events. They are usually brown in color as dirt that will stick on the boots won’t be too visible compared to the black boots. However, with women known to be active participants in an event known as barrel racing where they are expected to make quick turns around barrels in a cloverleaf pattern, more vibrant and bright colors for the Western boots emerged.

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There are two different basic riding styles and the riding boot that goes with each style is going to be very different as well.  The two basic riding styles are English Equestrian and Western.  The boots that are worn for each riding style can be broken down into categories as well. There are boots that are required for competition and boots that are worn when cleaning out stalls and everything in between.  You are going to want to purchase more than one pair of riding boots for each task.

English Equestrian boots are one of the most commonly known types of this style riding.  They are tall black boots that come to just under the knee.  They are used for shows and competitions.  These boots have a low heel and protect the ankles and calves when jumping or going through bush.  English riding boots are made of leather and are typically black in color.  Many boot makers replicate this style for fashion boots which is why they are very common to most who do not ride horses.  These come in both mens riding boots and women’s riding boots.  Ariat riding boots are a good choice when it comes to choosing the English Equestrian boots.

Included in the English style of boots is not only the long riding boots, but shorter boots as well.  These are called Jodhpur and paddock boots.  Jodhpur boots offer a bit more flexibility than the Equestrian boots offer.  They are worn with a special pair of trousers that can be zipped up over the boots to offer more protection for the legs.  While the protection is not the same as it would be with Equestrian boots, there is still protection for the ankles from the boots.  Paddock boots are typically made of rubber and rubber riding boots can also be worn in place of paddock boots.  These boots are typically used when cleaning out the stalls and riding in the rain.

Western boots come in two basic styles.  These styles are mountain horse riding boots and western show boots.  They are commonly called cowboy boots and are very popular even for those who do not ride horses.  The materials used for making these boots can range from the basic cow leather to more exotic styles such as ostrich and snake skin.  Many who purchase these exotic styles do not wear them for casual riding.  They are used for show or for going out rather than riding.  The reason for this is because these exotic boots are quite expensive and riding can damage them.

One of the great things about western boots is that they can be purchased in many different colors.  The most popular of all the colors is brown riding boots.  These are popular because they go with just about any color of outfit that is worn while riding.  Most who ride in rodeos prefer this color as it does not show the dirt as much.  Others may want to choose colors to match their outfits.  Barrel racers tend to wear bright colors when racing.  Their boots are going to match their outfits.  Women are typically known to do this type of racing and that is why colored womens riding boots are the most popular of the western riding boots.

The main difference in the types of western boots is the height of them.  They are made to come above the calf and just under the knee.  They also come to mid calf.  The taller boots are used for protection when riding in the brush.  They protect the calf up to the knee and were originally made for cowboys who needed protection from the horns of the cattle that they were herding.  Today, they are still used for this reason, but during riding shows, they are more ornate and can be quite beautiful as well.  The heels on both styles are going to be between an inch and an inch and a half to help keep the boots in the stirrups.

Once a rider has decided on the style that they want to perfect, they can then choose the right boots to go with it.  Shopping for boots can be fun when there are so many choices to make.  It is always wise to make sure that there is an extra pair for those times when the main pair of boots is worn out.  It is always a good idea to have an old pair or a rubber pair when mucking out stalls or riding in bad weather.

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Bareback riding is something that many people would like to experience, but the fear of falling off a moving horse is just too much to overcome. One of the closest experiences possible to bareback riding is using a treeless saddle instead of a standard treed saddle. This allows you to get the closest feeling to bareback with a little something to keep you on the horse. A saddle of this type puts you in close contact with a horse as physically possible, while riding with some type of tack on the horse.

Treeless saddles as a whole are basically the same as a standard saddle, minus the tree of course. A saddle tree is simply put, the “framework” of a saddle. This is the plate around which the saddle is constructed for even weight distribution and giving it the ability to hold its shape. The treed saddle will also aid in relieving certain pressure points along a horses spine and back.

Here are our top treeless saddle picks:

Barefoot treeless saddles are an anatomically designed saddle to fit to the horse like a second skin. These saddles are made to have a high spinal clearance, yet allow freedom of movement for you and the horse. A treeless saddle like this will shape and mold itself over time to the exact contours of your horse insuring a perfect fit for years to come.

Saddles, treeless or otherwise, are needed to be chosen for comfort. Yours and the horses ultimately, as he is the one wearing it and the more comfortable he is, the more you are and that makes for a much more pleasant ride. Finding one to fit your particular horse is not as daunting a task as it may sound and with the addition of a treeless saddle pad, the comfort is increased that much more. Many manufacturers recommend that you use a pad with your treeless saddle and normally have a line of these to choose from.

There are treeless saddles for sale both on the internet and at your local tack shop. The internet, however, will give you a much wider range of choices and prices, giving you access to every major manufacturer and supplier there is. There will also be consumer reviews by horse people who may have already used the particular saddle you are looking at and you can get a better feel for which one may be right for you. This saves you buying one and finding out later it was not quite right when someone may have already had the same experience.

For those more serious about their riding, particularly if they ride dressage, they may want to consider changing from a standard dressage saddle to a treeless dressage saddle. These saddles fit much closer to the horse, thereby giving much more contact and communication, which in turn leads to a much cleaner looking dressage session as the horse is receiving signals much quicker. This allows much more freedom of movement for the horse and lets them move about without feeling restricted or adding any unnecessary pressure.

The Bob Marshall treeless saddle line is a work of art on top of being very function. These are constructed with a mix of fabric and very intricate hand tooled leather to make them unique in their own right. There are also basic models available with the same high quality as the hand tooled ones. Bob Marshall treeless saddles are one of the leading sport saddles in the industry and an investment that will be well made.

The Torsion treeless saddle is considered to be one of the finest made. Manufactured in Italy, and available all over the world, these treeless saddles are touted by amateur and professionals alike as being one of the best all around treeless saddles on the market. These are available in leather, buffalo leather and synthetic materials and in a wide range of colors to suit anyone’s taste.

The Trekker treeless saddle is made in Europe by master saddle makers and each is hand crafted to rigid specifications. These saddles are very unique in that the underside is constructed with memory foam that returns to its original form once removed from the horse. They also are individually numbered, making it easy to identify and retrieve in the case of a theft of misplacement among other saddles.

The one thing that all the manufacturers agree upon is the use of treeless saddle pads under their products. Each one has more than one recommendation and usually has some to choose from. There are many companies that specifically make only the saddle pads for use with multiple manufacturers. These are constructed from simple padding material and even gel type pads that will give both the horse and rider the most comfort possible when using a treeless saddle.

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Wintec saddles, based in Australia, have a classic look saddle with all the modern upgrades. The Wintec western saddle has a sleek design with synthetic suede and leather materials that will help make this saddle last a lifetime. This saddle is completely adjustable to fit almost any rider and a double fender design for added protection while riding. It is reasonably priced and available online through a few suppliers. Their Equileather and Equisuede is weather proof, easy to clean with just a damp cloth and require no oiling or waxing.

Western saddles in general are the mainstay of many people that ride horses. While the smaller, lighter English and dressage saddles appeal to some, many traditionalists are dead set on their western ones and with good reason. This is a tried and true design that has never disappointed the true rider. The western saddle keeps a timeless appeal for almost anyone who has ridden a horse. Odds are, the first time they were ever on a horse, it was in a western saddle.

Finding a used western saddle is as easy as a click or two away. The internet gives you access not only to private sellers but to tack shops and suppliers all over the world. This lets you shop around and choose exactly what you want at a price you can afford. Used western saddles are like used cars, if these were properly taken care of, an old one will look like new and work as well as the day it was made. Spend some time and do some research, you will be quite pleased with the selection you find.

As with any saddle, the use of a saddle pad is highly recommended by all manufacturers and suppliers. A western saddle pad can be purchased online through many different suppliers and with so many to choose from, finding a unique one that fits your style should be quite easy. These not only help protect the horse and your saddle, many are available that are able to assist in a more comfortable ride for you by adding gel or air incorporated into their construction to help absorb the shocks from riding. The western saddle pads available are almost as innovative as the saddles themselves adding modern technology to an old necessity.

When shopping online for a saddle, make sure to browse the manufacturers’ websites for the new western saddles for sale. These are the ones with all the new innovations in materials that make horseback riding even more pleasurable than before. With comfort for you in the seat and ride and comfort for your horse in the way the saddle fits, there are only benefits in looking at these websites. With the advances in modern technology, a horse can be fitted for the perfect western saddle without ever wearing it first by using computerized saddle pads and imagery. They have developed saddles that relieve pressure on the horse while giving you the best ride of your life.

Western show saddles are a thing of beauty. This is western saddlery at its finest. The works of art created by master saddle makers include hand tooled leather, silver and gold accents and engraving to rival the finest jewelers. These are some of the most beautiful saddles ever made, not to mention, extremely functional. A western show saddle has many hours of work put into the crafting of it and must still be used for riding so it not only has to look good, but be as solid as a work saddle on a ranch. Many different custom saddle makers can be found online and their websites have full color pictures of all the show saddles they offer.

Western horse saddles will always be a favorite among riders, no matter what they are made from, whether it is the new synthetics or plain leather. The look is timeless and the functionality of these saddles will always be a mainstay of the cowboy or cowgirl at heart. A western saddle can be both beautiful and practical at the same time, while still being affordable as well.

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The Wintec dressage saddle is among the leading saddles of this type. These saddles are thin enough to provide extraordinary contact with the horse, yet durable enough to last a lifetime. There a few models to choose from including a pony dressage saddle designed specifically for young riders and their smaller mounts.  As they are very light, it makes these a great choice for the young horse person looking to do it all themselves, right up to carrying the equipment to and from the horse.

The Wintec Isabell dressage saddle is one of the premier dressage saddles on the market today. Designed with the assistance of Isabell Werth, a World Champion in dressage, this saddle has all the features you have come to expect from Wintec saddles with a world class touch. An adjustable block system allows you to custom fit the saddle to your exact leg size and the seat is designed to keep you in the correct position at all times.

A good close contact saddle is essential for even the casual show jumper and the Wintec Close Contact saddles are just that. This Wintec saddle is constructed with traditional leather like appearance and form fits to the horse for excellent communication while riding. The seat is well balanced and the knee contours are a much added comfort during long shows and is available in both black and brown to fit whatever your style is.

For the more traditional rider, Wintec Western saddles are the optimum choice for comfort and durability. These saddles are extremely lightweight compared to standard leather saddles and will give years of use while retaining their great look. Fully adjustable, these are designed to fit almost any rider’s needs whether it be for just pleasure riding or even barrel racing and trail runs.

The Wintec western saddle has a traditional look of the old west style saddle with all the modern innovations you have come to expect from Wintec. These are very easy to take care of and require no oiling to keep them looking like new. These come equipped with quick change buckles and constructed with a double fender pattern.  They are designed to last for hours and hours of comfortable riding.

A Wintec stock saddle is designed with the long ride in mind. Built for maximum comfort for the rider, these saddles will let you trail ride for hours because of their deep seats and comfortable padding.  These use the same technology in materials as the other Wintec saddles along with the added comfort of a lifetime warranty on the saddle tree. This lets you ride knowing you are well covered.

The Wintec Pro Stock saddles are built with all the features of the standard stock saddle but with the added benefit of adjustable fenders for added communication with the horse while keeping the rider seated correctly in the saddle. The Wintec Wide saddle is unique in the fact that it is adjustable to the width of your horse where many are not, this allows for a much more comfortable ride for both you and your horse. With a waisted seat, you can adjust this saddle for the horse while maintaining a perfect fit for the rider.

The Equisuede and Equileather that some of the Wintec saddles are constructed of is designed to be easy to care for and keep clean and to be weather resistant as well. There is no waxing involved and cleaning them is as easy as wiping them down with a wet cloth. There is always hosing them off too, as all these saddles are entirely weatherproof and very durable.

The CAIR panel system incorporated into some of the saddles insures a comfortable, even weight distribution across the entire saddle, not just at certain points. By using pockets of air instead of traditional filling in the saddle, this also helps to lighten the actual weight of the saddle itself. Another special feature of some of the Wintec saddles is the E-Z Change Gullet System. This allows the saddle to “grow” with your horse with four different gullet straps to choose from. You may also buy an entire kit with all strap sizes included or simply order one strap at a time as necessary.

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A proper pair of equestrian riding boots is a tall set of boots fitted not only to the foot, but up the leg as well. The form fitting of a boot to the leg is essential as this part of the leg is where the horse receives its signals from the rider. A loose topped boot will tend to give possible false signals which could mean disaster if in the middle of a show or presentation and this is easily avoided by selecting the correct boot for your build. If you have difficulty finding ones that are a snug enough fit there are many custom boot makers online to assist you in getting the correct boot for you.

There are two basic styles of the equestrian riding boot. The one is the traditional plain front pull on boot which has no laces or zippers, these are mainly for dressage or show and the lace front or zippered back field style boots. These boots are particularly suited to the field showings for hunter/jumper class events and are built to withstand the rigors of a three day show with no issues whatsoever. When using the pull on boots, having a boot jack and boot pulls handy is a very good idea for taking them off and putting them on. This aids in reducing any possible creasing or damage to the boots.

Men’s equestrian riding boots are available in a wide variety of styles from many manufacturers and suppliers. Ranging from tall riding boots to paddock boots for working around the stable, you are sure to find ones that suit you. Mens equestrian riding boots tend to be made a bit wider in the foot area than the women’s equestrian riding boots. This lends itself towards a much more comfortable fit without losing any of the style up the leg.

Women’s riding boots are a bit more colorful and stylish than the men’s counterpart. These allow for a bit of straying from the traditional stodgy black, plain front boot and allow the women to have a bit more flair when gearing up for a show. They are available in a wide range of colors to choose from and guaranteed to match any show outfit that can be thought of, which is sure to please the horse woman in your life.

While used equestrians riding boots may sound like a very odd idea it is really not that much of a stretch. Many people have purchased a set of boots only to find that theychafe or are simply not comfortable to them. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these boots, just the fact that every ones feet are a bit different, what fits one perfectly from the factory may not fit another. Taking some time to search for these online will possibly save you quite a bit of money when it comes to equestrian riding boots. Anyone that has ever purchased a new pair knows that some can be quite expensive and this is a way to get a pair of boots that may otherwise be out of your price range or budget.

The most important thing in regards to buying equestrian riding boots is the fit itself. This may seem impossibility if shopping online but it is not quite as far off as you think. Simply take a trip to the local equestrian supply that carries boots and try on a few pairs, find something you like and that fits you well. Then come home, get online and shop to your heart’s content as you now know the style and size you need. This alleviates any guesswork as to whether the boots will fit once they arrive and will give you some peace of mind when ordering and paying for these online.

When trying on new equestrian riding boots, make sure to wear the proper clothing. If you have your riding breeches on then you will know if the boot fits correctly up the leg. It does no good to stuff a pair of jeans down them or just a sock as that is not what you will be wearing during your show or ride. Maintaining the consistency when trying on the boots will insure a perfect fit when they are in actual use and this will be the most important time of all.

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