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A Horse Lover's Guide To Choosing Cold Weather Riding Gear

By Rebecca Miller


If you love to ride you likely want to do so every chance you get. Unless you are fortunate to live where the climate is very warm all year long, you know that there are times where you will be out on your horse when the temperature drops. In this case, the right cold weather riding gear is essential to making sure you are safe and comfortable no matter what kind of weather you will be working in.

Buying gear for yourself is easy but choosing gear for others may not be so straightforward. If you are getting gear together for riders who are very young you need to make sure that they are properly protected. Older riders or those dealing with medical conditions may also have impaired circulation that can lead to them becoming uncomfortable much more quickly.

As with any other outdoor activity, doing some research into anticipated weather conditions can help you avoid discomfort or danger. If you know whether it is going to rain or snow while you are out riding you can plan accordingly and choose gear that is waterproof as well as warm. If you prepare for the worst you will be nice and comfortable if your concerns end up being unfounded.

While most people only think about what they wear on their bodies, arms and legs, your preparations should not end there. You need to make sure that your footwear will keep you safe in the saddle and also keep your feet warm and dry. Gloves are essential for keeping your hands warm and your fingers capable of holding on to the reins while you ride.

Many riders choose to dress in layers when they are out on the trail or working in an unheated ring. That way they can reduce the amount of insulation they are wearing as they become warmer and then put it back on when they have cooled off. This is also a good tactic to take if you will be performing activities while you are riding such as roping animals since you may heat up rapidly.

Helmets can be fantastic for safety purposes but some are very bad at keeping your head warm. This is especially true of models that are designed to have increased air flow. Putting a toque or hat under your helmet may help you avoid heat loss through your head. Just make sure that your helmet still fits properly if put on over other head coverings.

If you want to keep your legs and feet warm when you are in the saddle you may want to look for boots that have a cold-weather rating on them. Often these will be insulated so that they keep you comfortable even when you are in the saddle for extended periods. If you cannot afford boots like this, consider putting liners in your footwear and even consider a heated insert.

There are many different riding supply stores that can give you good advice on which gear will work best for riding in cold conditions. You may find that even if you cannot afford new gear they may be able to help you modify your existing wardrobe so that colder temperatures are no longer an issue.




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