Horse riding is an enjoyable hobby that is made more comfortable with appropriate clothing and footwear. Riding boots are designed to come up a certain height up the leg to protect the rider's leg from the chaffing of the leathers of the saddle. It typically has a special heel that prevents the rider's foot from sliding off the stirrup. The sole of the riding boot can be either mildly textured or smooth and this is to prevent the rider's foot from being stuck in the stirrup in case of a fall.
Riding boots are traditionally made from smooth leather (Typically cowhide) although vinyls as well as other synthetic materials are now commonly used. The more expensive the boot is, the higher the quality of the leather. For horse show events after 6 pm, patent leather boots are seen being worn by the riders as it is seen as formal wear for riding.
There are a few different kinds of riding boots and one of them is the field boot. These boots are usually worn for jumping disciplines, fox hunting, show jumping, etc. Field boots are worn laced up, thus making it more flexible. This in turn allows the ankle to flex comfortably on the shorter stirrup. This shorter stirrup is essential for jumping over the fences. Although most field boots are black in color, brown ones can also be found. These kinds of boots are also worn by motorcycle riding policemen as well as those on mounted patrols.
Unlike field boots, Dress boots are a little rigid and the ankles of the boots are not laced up. These boots are worn during dressage events and formal fox hunting. Show jumpers also wear these and by tradition the boots are black in color. Hunt boots also known as top boots, are typically black in color and they have a tan colored cuff. These boots are also popular and can also be seen being worn during fox hunting.
Jodhpur boots also known as paddock boots are shorter boots. They are usually just above the ankle and used for everyday wear or when riding for pleasure. These boots are vital for saddle seat riding and can be worn with half chaps. Wearing half chaps with these boots give the illusion of a tall boot.
There are two styles to these boots and they are the laced up style and the elastic sided style much like the Chelsea boots. While the elastic sided style is used in saddle-seat and hunt-seat disciplines, the laced up style is typically used for hunt seat riding. In Australia, for example, the elastic side style is a compulsory part of the attire when riding in the Pony Club or when participating in the Australian Stock Horse competitions. A heavier version of the Chelsea boot is the Australian work boots made by Blundstone which are too heavy for horse riding.
All the various kinds of boots typically have round, tapered toe regions with an additional layer of leather on the toe area which is known as a toe cap. For ease of wear, present styles in tall boots come with zips at the back of the calf, whilst shorter ones have them located at the front. Whatever the style of riding boots, there is one to suit the occasion as well as the rider comfortably.
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