Dressage boots

[Kris]

Hello! I have a question about tall boots. I'm a beggining rider and I think I will be concentrating in dressage. I'm going to be buying my first pair of tall boots soon, and I was wondering whether I should buy dressage boots or regular dress boots. I'm pretty sure I'm going to stick with dressage, but could I wear my dressage boots if I also wanted to try a little jumping? I know dressage boots are supposed to be stiff in the backs, so will this be very uncomfortable for other disciplines? Thanks!!

[horselover]

I don't do dressage, but I jump, and field boots are more accepted now as the boots for jumping, and definately if you show jump. In contrast, you don't want to use field boots for dressage- they wouldn't let you at a show- b/c you want to have a tighter ankle for the moves. I am not sure about the comfort level, never having worn anything but field boots, but a couple people here do dressage. i know Floppy does, and maybe she can give you a little more input!

[floppy]

Most dressage riders tend to buy boots which are made of stiffer leather as they provide much more support to keep your leg in the right position. However there is no reason not to jump in these boots. Leather boot stake a month or so..maybe be more to wear in and become really comfortable. I dressage and jumping and I love my Cavallo boots..I would suggest that you probably avoid for your first pair the ones which have the high outside dressage curve as you may find it digs in at the back of your knee when you put your stirrups up to jump.

hope this helps..and sorry it took me so long to find you :)

[Kris]

Thanks for your help!

[floppy]

no probs :)

[fionahogg]

My dressage boots are the Cavallo Slim Profile boots. They are so comfortable. They have a stiffened outer leg for support but also a soft leather inner leg - this allows you to 'feel' the horse through the boot so your leg aids are more effective. You could jump in them if you want. I use mine for everything.

Fiona.

[JackiAH]

Lol, I just have to ask something whilst on the subject of high boots-

Anyone know any boots that fit rider's with short, chubby calves? *g* I've bought two pairs of high boots, neither fit. *sigh*

-Jacki

[fionahogg]

I know that Sarm Hipique boots come in over 300 different sizes - there must be some that fit short, chubby calves!
Jacki - why don't you try the boots on before you buy them :)?

[floppy]

do you want leather boots or the leather wanna be 100% waterproof boots??? i have both...but thats not the point..
if you are having probelms getting leather boots (which are extremely expensive) then i would suggest you get a pair made to measure..but i perosnally don't think leather boots are worth it until you have stopped growing because your leg shape will change as you get older and leather boots are not exactly cheap..especailly if you get them made to measure. There are cheaper leather boots...but its mroe of a question what brand will fit and what wont. When i went to buy my lether boots i tried on all the cheaper ones and they were all too big and i ended up having to pay alot more..
the waterproof tall boots are worth your money(they're cheap) because they will last a long time...and once you've out grown them your parents arent banging their heads against a wall because to get a new pair of waterproof ones wont cost muhc.and also i think you will find it easier to get the waterproof ones to fit you because they have started catering for people with wider calfs short legs..long legs etc..but i dont knwo whats availble for you...i have a chart that shows you how to measure your legs for ordering riding boots...i dotn knwo what else to say right now...hehe..

[JackiAH]

Just wondering, do you mean like... rubber boots or synthetic when you talk about the 100% waterproof boots?

I've actually tried on and came close to buying a pair of rubber boots, but then I decided against it because of how hot they are. Here in sunny Florida I'd only be able to wear them Late September- April! Which isn't a problem, but still. I also heard that riding in rubber boots (I think they may be called Wellingtons in the UK) isn't all that easy...

Jacki

Gosh, I know how expensive the high leather boots are! It's ridiculous!!

[floppy]

yup i mean rubber ones...
they are easy to ride in..i use to use them before i got my leather ones and i still use them more than my leather ones
because they are easier to put on and off . When i worked in the stables i use to clean out the stalls..and then i would have a lesson in my rubber boots and afterwards i would help with the kids lesosns with tackign up etc and afterwards with washing the legs down so my boots were abused to no end...I know alot of people who use them too..my cousin competes but when she is training and generally around the yard she wears her rubber boots and saves her leather boots for best.
But they are not hard to ride in...it takes a lesson or two to get use to them after wearing chaps and paddock boots.:)
and yes you feet do get hot in them in them the summer months.
But the rubber riding boots look exactly like the lather ones! wellingtons are not the same thing...wellingtons is somehting little kids were when they go out to splash in puddles...or fishermen or gardeners wear them :)

[Kris]

On a side note, anyone have any preferences for zippers? What's a better postion for them--back, inside back, or inside front?--Does it make a difference?

[floppy]

i never had a pair of boots with zippers but my friend does and she has them going down the back and she finds them as comfy as boots without zippers...th eonly differenc eis the zippers make it easier to put the boots on and off!
i havent seen riding boots with zippers down the sides

[Edited by floppy on 18th May 2001 at 06:41 PM]

[horselover]

i don't think any riding boots will have the zipper inside- OUCH! You would have very sore legs if they did! :p I have only seen tall boots with zippers down the back. Paddock boots and such have the zipper in the front.

[fionahogg]

Well I know how hard my boots are to take on and off (despite being super comfy once they're on!) so if I had the money I would definately buy some with zippers! But tend to be more expensive than normal boots.

Fiona

[floppy]

ok i been thinkign and you can get boots with zippers up the sides...but on the outside not the inside but they are not dressage boots.
they are general bulky long riding boots by mountain rider i think..

[Kris]

Hi!

I've heard that over time the zippers can start spreading apart so you have to get them replaced by a shoe repair person. Has your friend with the zippers on the inside front/side had this problem? I've been thinking about it, and maybe it wouldn't happen with one down the back, since the inside front/side ones come into contact with the horse. What do you think? :)

Kristie

[JackiAH]

Ahhh!

Fiona- *grin* I would've tried the boots on, cept I ordered them online! I read all the sizing info, and I measured my calves, and of course, when I get them they don't fit. *blink*

Anyways, I'll look up the ones you suggested!

Thanks,

Jacki

PS Flossie, I think she meant that the zipper's are on the outside of the boot (not touching your sock), but that they are positioned on the inside of your leg.

[floppy]

hehe jacki i know what she meant about the zippers ..
i cant honestly say what i htink about leather boots with zippers because i have never used them..
but i think if you are worried about the zips runing being on the inside of the boot get a pair with zippers down the back that way they are not always in contact with the horse..
for my next pair of leather boots i would like to get them with zippers down the back because im fed up of the fight i have to get the darned things off :D

my theory about zippers on the inside ruining from being in contact continuously with the horse is because your boots get rubbed alot on he inside from the stirrups leathers...
my last pair of boot si had i used them everyday and eventually after a year or soemthing i started to get holes in my boots from the stirrup leathers so now i only wear my new leather boots for 2 lessons a week instead of everyday like before just so they last longer!

by the way i was looking ina cataoluge the other day and they got some new ugly looking long riding boots

[SaraAnn]

Hi Jacki,

I can sympathize, I have chunky calves. I got an odd look from the others at the stable the other day when I did a quick cheer when I realized I could actually fit a couple fingers between my boot and calf! Although, I don't know if my calves are getting smaller or my boot's pipes are just stretching! I'd like to hope my calves are getting smaller!

Sara :D