[Eklecktika]

This may be a really, really dumb question, but-

I ride in jeans. And boots-cowboy boots or insulated riding boots, depending on the temp. I own A pair of breeches, but have never even tried on a pair of real tall boots. Or half chaps.

I have done cross country (yes, I have a vest and helmet, but that's an aside...), I've done dressage lessons. I've been complimented many times on my ability, finesse, subtlety (sp?) and 'tact' with difficult horses. I've been told I have 'great legs' over fences, which tells me my legs don't slip, I've never seen a pic as I do all of my horse-ing solo.

I also have 'delusions of grandeur'-I would love to show again someday (I used to showing reining and WCH...and once upon a time (like almost 20 years ago!) showed in HUS and HH with these hideous rubber tall boots...and would win/place with the same mare in all four classes).

Am I making a mistake by training/hacking/riding in boots and jeans as opposed to bona fide breeches and boots? Is there something that will change enough with the addition of knee patches (I know full seats are dramatic, but I don't know if I'll ever need/use them) and tall boots?

Is this a really stoo-pid question?

[InsideLeg2OutsideRein]

For one, I don't ride in jeans as it would a) be way to uncomfortable for me and b) rub my oh-so-expensive-custom-saddlery-saddle (their saddles literally come with an instruction sheet that says "Never ride in jeans!!!" amongst other things.). I also think that the breeches and tall boots look is sophisticated and my horse and my instructors deserve that I at least try to look good up there (never mind riding well ). And yes, the FEEL is very different. My legs always feel shorter in tall boots than in paddock boots, and even different in the two pairs of tall boots I have (schooling and clinic/show) and it's no good trying to find the right stirrup length in the warm-up ring at the show .

[RLF]

Am I making a mistake by training/hacking/riding in boots and jeans as opposed to bona fide breeches and boots?

I wouldn't say that you are making a mistake, but you may want to try out some breeches and tall boots. Especially if your goal is to return to the show ring. Not only will the boots affect your leg (I find my tall boots offer a nice amount of support that I miss if I hack out in half chaps) but, in my experience anyway, breeches give you a better range of motion especially in the hip. I also find them more comfortable to be honest.

For the record, I used to be like you. =) Always in jeans. Now you'll find me in breeches and tall boots no matter what.

Everyone has a preference for breeches too...try different materials, full seat vs knee patch. You'll find something that you prefer.

Good Luck!

[carolprudm]

LOL, I hate tall boots but there is no WAY I would ride in jeans. They are just to rough, on my skin and my saddle

[dwblover]

Well, you certainly aren't doing anything wrong, but I don't think I could stand to ride in jeans! I fuss over every lump and bump, LOL. I do always ride in my tall boots and breeches. It really, truly IS a totally different feel. I believe it is very different for the horse also, as he can feel my leg SO much better in my stiffer dressage tall boots then say a pair of half chaps. I don't like to switch back and forth, because that means changing the amount of leg aides I have to give based on what I'm wearing. So I stick to the tall boots as I'll be showing in them and they really do look nice!!!

[myrna]

I ride in full seat breeches and tall boots all of the time.I did half chaps for a few years,but prefer tall boots.

[Eklecktika]

Hmmm. Well, that pretty much sums up what I figured would be the case.

I did get a chuckle out of the admonition to never ride in jeans-I spent my life savings (at 16, granted, but still over $3K!) on a fully custom (from the tree up) saddle for The Mare-and have never ridden in anything but. But I cut my teeth on reining horses...so go figure. I can, quite literally, count the number of times I have WORN breeches on one hand.

Well, I'm looking at a pair of Effingtons-the measurements look right, so we'll see. They're field boots, but as we're low level (as in...below level. We're still underground, I think!) that won't matter for a few years. They may be for sale if I get them and decide they don't fit worth beans. How long is reasonable to expect for breaking in (if not all the way, enough to verify comfort, at least?)

AAAND if I'm buying boots, breeches will be next. Suggestions for reasonably priced, WARM ones for now? I have a pair of tan knee patch summerweight ones.

I still haven't decided whether Reb will be happier jumping or being a dressage horse, so we'll see. Field's will do for now, I think...should we make it to a level where they are not, I'll be buying a saddle as well, so may as well start here since the price is right!

[atr]

Have no idea how you would sit the trot for any length of time in jeans... makes my eyes water to think about it.

How warm is warm? There are several brands that make true winter breeches, like Irideon, for instance, or Kerrits (I'd avoid the very sticky-seated Kerrits, personally. I have a pair that I think are postively dangerous, they weld you to the saddle so firmly, so if you are used to greater freedom, I think you'd hate them.) All these are quite thick, though, so you might want to think about whether they are going to fit into your tall boots.

I live in snwo country, so I have winter weight tall boots that I bought specifically to accomodate thicker breeches. I'm not stretching out my "good" dress boots! They only go on over my thinner breeches.

[netg]

Honestly, while I agree about seams being uncomfortable and won't ride in jeans anymore for that reason, I don't find the feel so different.

I had to get custom boots because of a combination of leg/foot shape issues which meant a specific style of Vogels were the only boots which could be made to fit me. (Ugh! I am not at a point where I "need" customs, and would have been happy to get much less expensive Mountain Horse field boots for now! They were the closest to fitting me of the shelf.) The only difference I really have between half chaps and tall boots is in my ankles - I have weak ankles which want to collapse when I put my weight down into my heels, and the tall boots give more support so I am able to trust my legs not to collapse on me and drop into my heels more. Definitely a nice plus. Because I got customs, they immediately fit me fine and didn't have a break-in period, but I was told it can take several weeks for normal tall boots.

I really don't find a difference between different types of breeches, knee patches vs. full seats, etc. when I ride. Other people tell me that anything but full seats feels too slippery to them, but I adore my Irideon winter tights which feel like a slick sweatpant material (and are fleece lined) with small knee patches. I think those were the ones I was wearing in a jumping lesson when my horse went on a bucking spree my trainer described as starting off looking like a trial for the SRS with the aerial movements. I didn't feel any less secure in them than any of my full seats. When looking for breeches, I basically looked for sales to try all different brands, and have found specific brands which seem to fit me best. I tend to do well in Tuff Riders, Grand Prix and Riding Sports, typically in low waists, as normal rise gets closer to my armpits in all brands. A huge part of it does become your specific body shape. My trainer and I wear the same size of just about everything, but are totally different shapes, so any time I get something which doesn't fit me right I give it to her and it fits her perfectly. (Or I get my show jacket which fits me, and it fits her better... grrrr.)

[Eklecktika]

Have no idea how you would sit the trot for any length of time in jeans... makes my eyes water to think about it.

How warm is warm? There are several brands that make true winter breeches, like Irideon, for instance, or Kerrits (I'd avoid the very sticky-seated Kerrits, personally. I have a pair that I think are postively dangerous, they weld you to the saddle so firmly, so if you are used to greater freedom, I think you'd hate them.) All these are quite thick, though, so you might want to think about whether they are going to fit into your tall boots.

I live in snwo country, so I have winter weight tall boots that I bought specifically to accomodate thicker breeches. I'm not stretching out my "good" dress boots! They only go on over my thinner breeches.

Actually....I can sit the trot (on any of our AQHA-ranging from a tiny lil 14.1 gal to a big 16.2 guy, my big OTTB that I had and sold) with no problem provided the horse offers his back...but again...it's essentially all I've ever known. Ignorance is bliss...

The freedom thing may be an issue-I AM accustomed to shifting as necessary-though sticking firmly would be appreciated should Reb find his buck. LOL...give me six months and I may become a wholehearted convert, who knows (I doubt, though, as I still have cows to gather at the bottom of the canyon, and there NO way I'm wearing breeches for that! I'd be laughed out of the county!) I will always have a use for my western saddle and jeans-between colts and team penning and cows.

Hmm...warm...how about teens/low twenties? It CAN get cooler, but I'm a wuss about riding if it's very cold-fingers and toes won't hack it.I never thought about stretching the boots out-maybe I'll wait with 'breaking in' my boots til spring because I have icy cold toes even in wool socks and whites insulated riding boots. Maybe I'll try a pair of the irideon tights...they sound cozy. And priced reasonably too...hmmm. Heck, I don't know. I have a christmas bonus coming, and I'll be darned if I spend it on practical stuff.

Now, If I could just find my figure so I can make breeches look good. I sure appreciate all the help...now, just don't tell me Effingtons are known for being uncomfortable or some such thing!

[leilatigress]

Try yoga pants before you go the breech route. Now here me out on this! I too ride exclusively in boots and jeans but was having an issue opening up enough to really sit the lovely mare's extended trot. Being Western I can usually sit just about anything the lovely throws at me but my trainer wanted me in breeches. I don't do breeches, I'm just not that confident to not look great in them. Instead I got my boots and tried yoga pants. MUCH Better ride and as my boots are full boots not paddock boots I didn't get any burns or ride ups but I did loosen up much better. I might eventually get into breeches but not anytime soon. I personally cannot stand the paddock boots and half chaps, it just doesn't feel great to have that much material sticking to my leg like glue. Plus it makes it difficult to get my heels in the right spot.

[catmchorse]

Eh, I rode in jeans w/ boots and half chaps for years. I guess I just got in the habit of wearing breeches after I joined Pony Club.

I think breeches are less restrictive, but if I forget to bring a pair out to the barn I'll wear my jeans with no issues. Try a pair - riding tights are a good compromise, they can be very very comfortable! - but don't feel too bad about riding in jeans Kerrits riding tights are very comfy. I also had a pair of Tuff Rider full seats that have been going strong for about 6 years now...they finally shrunk just a little too much in the wash, so I gave them to another PCer, but other than that they're good as new.

I can't speak to the tall boot matter. I don't notice much difference between my tall boots and my paddock boots/half chaps. What I CAN say is that I can't stand to ride without half chaps. Makes me feel like my ankle's flopping around...not to mention the pinching from stirrup leathers.

Good luck with your new boots!

[ArabDiva]

I was a dedicated jeans girl. Or in the summer, yoga pants, as one poster above mentioned. I'm now a breeches convert. They are just so darn COMFY for one thing. For dressage it's been really important because they allow me to open my hip more. In winter, fleece-lined are the best. If you don't want to spend so much, try Tuffriders brand. Also, I have gotten used to the stability the tall boots offer, and miss it when I ride in paddocks.

I DO think that starting in jeans/yoga pants really helped my seat and balance. There was some extra 'slide' there (specially with the yoga pants) and I learned to control my muscles and go with the horse. My mare's girth tends to loosen drastically after our warmup, and my instructor is always amazed that I don't even notice it.

On one of my mares, who has a very smooth trot even when she's moving out, I can sit her trot in jeans without being in pain. My other mare, sitting in jeans leaves me chafed to smithereens. So, from that aspect, it depends on the horse I think.

Also, i just got a brand new dressage saddle. no jeans will ever touch it. I used to think, when people said stuff like that, that they were being picky/snooty/anal. But i love that saddle too much to let it get rubbed up from my jeans. I want it to last me the next 30 years.

[SillyHorse]

They're field boots, but as we're low level (as in...below level. We're still underground, I think!) that won't matter for a few years.

Glad you got the boots. You don't have to worry that they're field boots, as you can wear them in the show ring, even at FEI levels (for FEI they must be black). Now get thee some breeks!

[thatsnotme]

When I was in my teens and early 20's I couldn't afford tall boots or breeches. I rode in leggins-like the super cheapies from Walmart. I even showed in them, I had white for dressage/stadium and dark green for CC I used paddock boots and leggins until I found a cheap pair of used tall boots. I schooled at home in jeans. Once the money wasn't so tight, I did graduate to regular knee patch breeches for showing but still schooled in jeans. I was riding both english and western horses and would just throw on my 1/2 chaps when needed. When I had my first custom saddle made=no more jeans. I haven't now worn them in years. I think the seam would bother me, but it never did before. I'm a dedicated full seats/tall boots girl now-but I'm all grown up (read: old)

[jawa]

My first pair of tall boots were Effingham's. With the Vogel boot conditioner, it didn't take long for them to break in. I wore them for many years, until the edge of the foot began to get a whole in them. I had gotten a pair that was slightly too narrow for the width of my foot. I still wear them occasionally, but not on wet or muddy days.

I have a pair of the Tuffrider winter breeches and a pair of the Kerrits winter breeches. The Truffrider material pilled up faster than the Kerrits. If the pilling doesn't bother you, then don't worry.

No half chaps, wearing half chaps and wearing tall boots are all very different feels. If you are used to riding with out the ankle support then it won't make much of a difference to you, but once you start riding with the support and then you go without it!!! YOU WILL NOTICE!

The idea of wearing Yoga pants or the leggings is a great way to start to get a feel for what breeches are like. I personally like full seats, but do have knee patch breeches. I just save the knee patch ones for when I'm riding the steady eddies.

I find breeches much more comfortable than jeans. I've had days when I didn't think I'd have time to ride, so showed up in jeans, and then rode with paddocks and half chaps!! OH MY THE RUBS and CHAFFING!! It was even a short ride, because of the pain.

[Eklecktika]

Crap. Now I really feel like schmuck. Yep. EffingHAM not EffingTON. Geez. Amateurs. Sheesh.

I haven't ever had rubs/pinches in my english saddle-ever. Heh...hope that's not a BAD thing. Now my western saddle (all of them) would rub the crap out of my leg-right behind my knee. Never noticed seams. (Bet I will now!)

'll get myself some Vogels-Thanks for the suggestion, Jawa-I just hope they fit. Ebay has it's place, but I've always been skeptical about buying boots/saddles there.

Now-I read somewhere about not OILING boots, as you'll never get a shine again. True/false? I assume the Vogels bypasses that particular issue?

What brand polish is best? Soft rag? Brush? (please use small words and red crayon-I'm used to oiling and polishing my cowboy boots.)

Since these are gonna be my 'do-all' boots, anything else I need to know about cleaning them up for showing? (Hey, you never know-we could have an epiphany and suddenly be ready for showing in six months!)

You guys are awesome-I really appreciate the help/info/do-this-and-not-that! Makes life much easier, since I'm surrounded by barrel racers and ropers, and the occasional reiner.

[walktrot]

One of my barn buddies rides in paddock boots and jeans. She bought my old Albion general purpose saddle and I can't convince her that the jeans will wear the saddle out at the seam. she has one pair of winter breeches but won't wear them. I think she is very selfconcious, but if anyone should be that, it should be me. I walk around in full seats all the time, and I ain't no skinny minnie.

If for no reason other than to take good care of your saddle, I'd go with breeches.

[Fixating]

Used to wear jeans. After putting rub marks on my last saddle, I always ride in breeches with either half chaps or tall boots. Lesson learned...luckily it wasn't a very expensive saddle.