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Finding the right Western horse riding boots for you

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:16:17 +0000

Horse riding boots come in different styles that are fit for any horse riding discipline. If you are involved with show jumping, there is a particular boot designed to help you conquer any event. When you are into barrel racing, any woman competitor would definitely want brightly colored boots to add some fashion into her fierce riding. Newly trained riders who start off for pleasure riding, especially children, perform best when they wear low cut riding boots. If you are into dressage riding the English riding boots are recommended. These are just some examples which show that every riding discipline has a specific requirement for a particular pair of boots designed for a specific purpose.

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.

How to buy the perfect horse riding boot

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:14:40 +0000

Horse riding boots are no doubt an essential part in your horseback riding hobby or profession. Do not make careful consideration in your selection of boots and that will be a guaranteed disaster. The roles of the riding are outlined below:

To prevent the legs from discomfort against the leathers of the saddle
To protect the calves and ankles from the fenders of the saddle
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.

Western horse riding boots

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:13:22 +0000

A pair of riding boots is an essential part of the equestrian’s wardrobe to prevent the feet from slipping from the stirrups and keep the feet comfortable as well whether you are involved with pleasure or competitive horseback riding. Each style of the riding boots has unique attributes and each type is ideal for a particular horse riding discipline. It is therefore important to be familiar with the many characteristics of the riding boots and understand for which riding discipline the boot will be before you decide on buying your very own pair of horse riding boots.

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.

English equestrian horse riding boots

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:12:20 +0000

Any person with a passion for horseback riding whether for pleasure or competition knows that it is not right to wear just about any horse riding boots without considering for which riding purpose it will be used. There are plenty of riding boots available for men, women, and even kids. Having enough knowledge of the style, the materials they are made of, and the design of the riding boots will make you appreciate even further the art of horseback riding.

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.

The two basic types of horse riding boots

admin — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 20:10:55 +0000

A riding boot is the footwear used primarily for the purpose of riding on horses. The main reason why a horse riding footwear is in boot style which comes high up just slightly below the knee is to prevent the legs from rubbing against the leathers of the saddle. A horse riding boot comes in many styles and colors depending on the riding purpose.

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.

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.
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.

Prevention of saddle sores and the use of treeless saddles

admin — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:10:46 +0000

The treeless saddle has been increasingly popular because of its ability to not restrict the horse’s movement while being ridden due to its lightweight and bendable materials. The saddle will make the horse comfortable. Without a bar lying on its back, it can easily move around as it has a closer contact with its rider and is more able to react to the leg cues of its rider. Also, it only has to adjust with the weight and natural body shape of its rider, without giving a thought to any thick bars positioned on its back.

Aside from using this type of saddle with the proper treeless saddle pad for added support, there are other factors that will help prevent the horse from having a sore back. Proper cleaning is the first rule before you place the saddle onto the horse’s back. Brush thoroughly the areas of the horse’s back which are likely touched by the saddle pad and saddle parts. The withers and the girth are the body parts that are usually prone to soreness, so make sure that as you do the brushing you are getting rid of any dirt that may rub against the horse’s skin once the saddle is placed.

The second rule is to make sure that the saddle fits the horse properly. Too large or too small saddle is extremely unhealthy for the horse. A saddle bigger than what the horse’s back can bear will definitely make the weight of the rider unevenly distributed beyond weight-bearing areas. A very small saddle will put too much pressure on the horse’s back.

Lastly, make sure that when you ride the horse, you are in the correct posture. Sit erect and make sure that you are rested on the central part of the saddle. Never lean too far to the front or back. Stay at the center so your weight is equally distributed throughout the saddle.

Treeless saddles: principles of seat size and weight distribution

admin — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:09:49 +0000

Treeless saddles have certain guidelines should you decide to put aside the use of the treed saddles. Perhaps the basic thing would be the use of padding onto the saddle. Since the treeless does not have the luxury of a bar holding together the cantle and pommel the padding becomes very important to keep the horse away from friction at his back eventually leading to a serious health condition due to stress and trauma. Other than that, the use of added accessories to make the saddle become comfortable as much as possible to the horse and the rider is essential as well. In this article, we will be dealing at two key points determining the correct saddle fit on your horse.

First is the seat size. The saddle must not be too long for the horse because when it does, the weight distribution will extend beyond the weight-bearing parts of the house. And that is immediately a big no-no or else the horse will suffer a lot by the end of day, exhausted due to a long travel and some back pains out of unequal weight distribution. The seat size is just determined by the size of both the rider and the horse. Refrain from saddles that are too long for the size of the horse. It will have the tendency to sit far back. It will cause pressure, discomfort and movement restrictions. The rider should be centrally located in the saddle seat for precise balance and movement freedom.

Secondly, balance is another consideration. Make sure that as a responsible rider, you are seated comfortably at the center of the saddle (lowest point of the seat, and knees placed on the kneepad). A correctly fitted, well-balanced saddle has the lowest point of the saddle slightly lower than the highest point of the cantle.

Most barefoot treeless saddles for sale are capable of fitting perfectly most breeds of horses. Yet, not all horses have similar shapes on their backs. It is always best to try a saddle onto your horse before you buy to assure that its features easily complement with the horse’s body shape, most especially its back.

Benefits of treeless saddles

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:56:12 +0000

If you are new to horseback riding and are still in the process of getting more knowledge on this new hobby, then you have probably heard of the debate about which is better to use both for the rider an a horse between a treed or a treeless saddle. There are plenty of articles surrounding the Internet that discuss about the superiority of one over the other. There is really no direction in this type of writings because in reality even before men have decided to put the saddle on the back of the horse as, our ancestors were pretty okay with bareback riding. As a matter of fact, ancient people didn’t have all the luxury of sturdy materials to secure them as they are mounted on the horse, and yet they are flexible with it and their horse still manage to complete their normal lifespan. With regards to the use of the saddle, it does not really matter too much whether to select a treed or treeless one. Whichever you choose, the important thing is that the weight of the rider in not distributed to areas where added support is not bearable by the horse.

One advantage of the saddle such as the Bob Marshall treeless saddle and the Torsion treeless saddle is that it acts like a second skin to the horse. Its materials are very light, and provided that it is properly fitted on the horse especially to those with wider backs. Another advantage with the treeless is that the horse’s movements are not restricted thereby allowing him the freedom to move without any strain on his back and shoulders. Also, the horse can easily react to its rider’s leg cues and so they have a closer contact when riding. Lastly, most saddles of the treeless type can fit most variety of horses therefore choosing a saddle for your horse won’t be too difficult provided that you are very much aware of the contour on your horse’s back.

Treeless saddles for different riding purposes

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:55:39 +0000

Treeless saddles today are chosen by both amateur and professional riders because of its major feature of providing the rider a feel of bareback riding. When you are new to horseback riding, there are plenty of ways for you to enjoy it according to which form of riding you are most interested in.

On the other hand, there are certain guidelines in the selections of saddles for your horse, as much as there are important facts about how each part of the saddle contributes to the overall performance of the horse with attention to its certain conditions that will either make or break his duty of providing you with the most comfortable ride. One of these guidelines is to make sure that the padding on the saddle is accurate enough to provide clearance on the withers and spine so as to protect the back of the horse from too much stress.

Dressage riding is one of the many forms of riding that requires a saddle that properly fits the contours of the horse’s back. It is not just some form of simple riding as it involves classical approaches and techniques to horseback riding. Just like any sport, dressage riding is a step-by-step process of learning how to ride properly; giving you the opportunity to learn the basic ideas in dressage competition should you decide to join one day.

Barrel racing is another form of horseback riding where a rider mounted on his horse makes three quick turns around barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. This is a very quick sport thereby requiring the horse to quickly react to its rider’s leg cues.

Western riding is when you desire to quickly adapt that form of riding the way cowboys did. This is also pretty much a complicated form of riding in that it requires speed, focus, plus a whole of exceptional skills and method to survive the basics in running a huge farm.

Trailing is a perfect horseback riding form to maintain as a hobby especially when you are fascinated with nature’s beauty and discovering new places.

Endurance riding is a great way to test your skills in long distance riding.

Features of Barefoot and Torsion treeless saddles

admin — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 18:54:42 +0000

Treeless saddles have become popular these days as the need to ride a horse with the feel of bareback riding is increasingly demanded by even the newest riders. We all know that there are many purposes for riding the horse. Whatever the purpose may be, using the saddle of the treeless type is just as effective as the treed saddles. The only difference is that the absence of bars and the use of adequate padding instead in the treeless improve the movement of the horse thereby making room for quick reaction to its rider’s leg cues. Ongoing debates have flourished regarding which among the treed and treeless is better to use. People say that the absence of bars can cause more friction or strain onto the horse’s back or that the treeless cannot give adequate clearance on the withers and spine. This is not really true. Whichever one you choose, treed or treeless, the basic approach here is to make sure that the saddle’s pommel and cantle adequately blends with the contours of the horse’s back, the weight of the rider is properly centered on the seat and not distributed on the front and back arts of the saddle, the saddle is not too long for the horse, and most of all, clearance on the withers and spine is exhibited. When these guidelines are not followed, whether you use the treed or treeless, the horse’s performance cannot meet your expectations and worse, your horse will suffer from serious conditions.

The Barefoot treeless saddle is one of the very popular and widely used saddles. They fit the horse like a second skin. They have a high spinal clearance making sure that both you and your horse have movement freedom. They have plenty of models to choose from according to which purpose our riding is for.

Another brand is the Torsion treeless saddle which is exposed by most amateur and professional riders as one of the finest saddles ever made. They are made of leather and synthetic materials, and are available in different colors.

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