Am I the only short fat rider?

[bexj]

WEnt shopping at the weekend for leather long boots - don't want to spend a fortune, but want something that fits! It turns out my leg is square!!! Its 39cm wide and 40cm long, and I couldn't find boots to fit me. I'm average height 5'4 and slightly above average weight. Do I really have to resort to hand made boots? Does anyone else have this problem?
Opinions please!
Bex

[Monty]

No, you're not dear!! Definitely not. I have problems with half chaps.Kids ones would be long enough, but not broad enough around the calf!! Do the boots HAVE to be leather, and if not what size are you?? Might have an idea.

[bexj]

Hi Monty

No they don't have to be leather! I want to do my BHS 1 next year so have to be kitted out "correctly" - although whats wrong with clean chaps, boots, jods and a helmet I don't know! So the main criteria is something that will pander to the BHS's needs. Second criteria is something that I can go to shows in - not just yet as I don't have a suitable horse, but sometime soon fingers crossed!

Whats your idea? I'm intrigued!

[chapsi]

I have a similar problem with long riding boots. My legs are two short and thick around the calf (I am not overweight), and therefore, boots for such length are too narrow around the calf. As a consequence, should I wish riding boots, I would have to have them made by measure, which is obviously out of question. So, I can only ride with jodphur boots.
I also have a pair of leather chaps; they have been widdened twice because with age one tends to get wider. Now I cannot wear them any longer.

[LindaAd]

I've got short thick legs too; I wear Mountain Horse boots - the wide-leg ones for comfort, and the narrow-leg ones for looking neater. They've got elastic at the back, so they fit, comfortably, and they were too long at first but they soon sagged down until they were comfortable. Expensive, but a lot easier and quicker to put on and take off than chaps, and they don't seem to wear out..

[Nickie]

Hiya Bex

I've got the same problem!! I'm only 5"4 - little about average weight - and I can't get long boots. I always used to get mens long boots for long legs - I'd get the size and the fit - then I'd have the tops trimmed down and adjusted to the right length - it was expensive - but how many pairs of long boots do you go through in a year. (I normally wear Mountain Rider Safe Rider Boots! - They're soooo comfy!)

Aren't you allowed to wear jod boots or muckers for your stages then?

Nicola

[vixen]

Can totally sympathise!!! I'm 5'2 , have big huge calves and tiny ankles, but really big feet! Arggghh.

So.... I am officially a sausage. sigh.

I did see a very neat solution for field boots - my coach had a cobbler put an elastisized insert (a thick piece of elastic fabric about 1/2" x 2" into the top of the boot at the back near the seam (where it's hidden when riding).

This gave her much more comfort in getting the boot on and off... I'm definitely trying it on my next pair.

[bexj]

Thanks for the replies - glad to hear I'm not alone! Does anyone know if the BHS require long boots to be worn for the Stage 1?

[maverick927]

I am not fat and I have loads of problems getting any leg wear to fit. I have only ever managed to get Mountain Horse chaps to fit but sometimes I would like sometihing smarter. I'm 5'2" and have megga muscles on the back of my legs. I just wish things came in better fit and they are either too narrow or too long

[ali cat]

heheh--no help here i'm afraid--but just wanted to say you are definitely not the only short fat rider--in fact i'm prolly a wee bit taller--but still short----- and fatter than you:)

[chapsi]

Maverick,

I am about your size, and I have exactly the same problem with riding shoeware; this get even worst as I take shoe size 2 - 21/2, and most manufacturers only produce size 4+!

[Kerry's Partner]

We are talking about lower legs I think (as opposed to thighs). Mine I expect are average length but SO skinny, always have been and there's nothing I can do about it - just the same as you. So take heart. I think the problem is not at all to do with how we're "built" but that the manufacturers don't really cater too well at all for their customers.

[Silver1]

hehe, i have the other end of the problem. I'm to tall/skinny. NOTHING fits! I have to tie a double knot in my fanny pack and getting clothes is not a matter of picking what I want, but picking something that fits!

I thought I was going to faint when the first pair of riding pants i got just slipped right on!

As for riding boots, go to a consignment saddlery they'll have a million types

[Linnie]

You may want to try Loveson rubber riding boots. My daughter is only 5 foot nothing but has large calves and is a size 4. No way could she get my boots on despite being the same size. She got her Lovesons from Barrets in Wolverhampton. Although not leather they are quite smart. Hope you find something soon.

[Zingy]

You can wear short boots for the BHS exams - see http://www.bhs.org.uk/Examinations/dress_for_%20exams.htm for dress guidelines. Have you thought about short boots and gaiters? I resorted to having boots made a few years back as extra narrow boots were still too wide for me, but have now discovered I could quite easily get gaiters to fit, and they do look really smart if you're wanting something that looks like long boots. The treadstep ones seem to come in the biggest size range - Derby House sell them http://www.derbyhousesaddlery.co.uk/ if you want to check out the sizes.

[beth66]

I have stumpy legs too & size 10 feet. For Christmas I got Mountain Horse tall "Sportive" boots in wide width. They fit great but I thought they were a little too tall because when I got into the stirrups they dug at the back of my legs. I went to the tack shop and the boot fitter said that's how they are supposed to be and they will drop down some. I've been riding like crazy and wearing them all over they are already breaking down some.
Maybe try these??? I love them as I have only been able to do the half chap/paddock boot thing up until now.

Good luck!

[galadriel]

(sigh) I *love* the way the Mountain Horse look, but they don't seem to make them in a "tall."