Horse riding boots are protective foot gears made to be used for horseback riding. It should come second to helmets when you are dressing for safety. You should invest in horse riding boots and helmet if you are a more serious rider. Not only will it make you feel more comfortable, it can also save your life.

Studies show that one quarter of sports related fatalities are caused by horse riding. And most horse related injuries are a result of falling from a horse and being kicked by a horse. This can happen if your foot gets caught in the stirrup, which can be caused by inaccurate horse riding boots. Therefore, choosing the right boots is very vital.

When choosing a pair of horse riding boots, you must consider certain factors.

1. It has to have the right heel height to prevent the foot from sliding through the stirrup. The heel is considered to be the most important element of horse riding boots. When looking for horse riding boots, choose the one with a heel that is sufficient to keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup. The ideal heel is about one to two inches high.

Do not use a horse riding boot with heel that is more than two inches. This will alter the natural position of your foot in the stirrup and can cause for your foot to be distorted. When your foot is distorted, your riding position will be affected.

2. It has to have a sole that is smooth or lightly textured to avoid being caught on the tread of the stirrup in the event of a fall. This is the next thing to consider in choosing a pair of horse riding boots. Choose a boot with a plain leather sole that is relatively flat. A rubber sole is perfectly acceptable, just make sure that it does not extend beyond your foot.

Do not buy horse riding boots with thick treads. It can increase the risk of having your foot stuck in the stirrup.

A good pair of horse riding boots should have these two conditions ” a good heel and a proper tread. You do not have to have a custom designed boots. Your boots only have to meet the two criteria.

However, as you develop a specialty as a rider, you will want to acquire boots that are suitable for that discipline. Horse riding boots are designed with specific features to aid riders in horseback riding and to protect them as well. But, these features make the boots difficult to wear when working on the ground. If you want to feel more comfortable, you can also consider the following.

3. It has to be high enough to prevent the leathers of the saddle from pinching the leg of the rider. If you need taller boots, there are classic horse riding boots that comes high up to the leg. If you are jumping, you will want a high English boot that fits the calf snuggly and helps your grip and stability.

Ropers, which are classic, all-purpose type horse riding boots, come a few inches above the ankle to mid-calf. Riders prefer these boots because they fit snuggly in the foot but looser around the leg.

4. Some boots, like the field boots even have an extra layer of leather on the toe called the toe cap. Like ropers, field boots have round toes. These features are designed to enable riders to work on the ground more comfortably.

Tags: Horses