Monday, May 30, 2016

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.

One of your first considerations when choosing clothing is the age of the rider. Individuals who are very young, who are older or who may be dealing with certain medical conditions may need more protection from the cold than others. You should make sure that not only is the rider's core protected but their extremities also have items of clothing that will keep them warm and comfortable.

Keep in mind that lower air temperature may not be the only issue you have to contend with. You may also have to deal with precipitation as well. Using gear that repels water is a good idea. If you get wet, it becomes very easy for you to develop hypothermia and this can be potentially life threatening.

While you may be focusing on how warm your core is, you need to also think about other areas of your body. Feet can cool down quite quickly and hands can as well. While you may think it is simply a matter of comfort it is actually a safety issue as well. Individuals have lost toes to frost bite or had serious accidents if cold hands were no longer able to hang on to the reins. If you are researching a new pair of gloves or boots make sure you check how warm they are at the temperatures you expect to be riding in.

Riding is much like other sports and dressing in layers is always a good idea. Riders often sweat quite a bit especially if their horse is moving quickly or they are navigating different obstacles while they are on the trail. If you dress in synthetic layers that pull sweat and moisture away from your skin you will stay warm and comfortable even if the temperature is chilly.

If you normally wear a helmet when you ride you may not think that you need something else to keep you warm. Some helmets may be very good at keeping you warm but others that are designed for ventilation may not. A toque or other soft hat or scarf underneath may help prevent heat loss.

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.

Speaking with staff at an experienced riding supply store can be very helpful. They may be able to direct you to different products that will meet your needs and keep you nice and toasty warm while you are outside and astride your favorite horse.




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