Winter Riding

[oatey_]

I haven't mess with horses alot in the winter....I would like some tips on how to stay warm....I know layers, but how do you still stay where you can mount and dismout with so much cloths on...and what about boots...where can i get warm western boots that will still fit in a normal stirrup...I have found english boots that are "winter typ" but not western..

[Jessey]

Hey, I suffer from the cold and there are great things out there to help :D

I love Carhartt jackets/vests/overalls, they do various weights but I normally go for the artic ones, they keep me dry and toasty and they are not terribly bulky either (once you wear them a little they settle right down).

I also have Double H boots, the Packers which are lace up paddock boots and they keep my feet toastie (and I normally have the electric blanket on year round for my cold feet :o) the trick is not to get boots that are too tight (or to lace them tight) as it restricts circulation and they just get colder. Oh and these def fit into any stirrup (western or english)
I also always wear a hat, even if just a base ball hat and I have fleece ear warmers and gloves (though with the rest of the gear my hands rarely get cold) Seal Skinz are my best ones, warm and completely waterproof :D

You can also now buy electric gloves or get hand warmers in boots, you just have to prime them at home but you just activate them when you want them and they stay warm for hours in your pockets so offer some relief if you are out in it all day.

This was my gear last time we went to montana, it was -10 and we rode 6 hours a day, but most of the time (much more than some others) I was warm enough :P and thats coming from a girl who was wearing jumpers in the nevada desert last week :D

J x