Ever been freezing cold, wet and miserable while riding? Well you're in the right place for a solution. Here are a few good tips to dress warmly for horse riding:
Steps
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First of all, put on a thermal t-shirt or long sleeve top(sometimes called a skin). These are very handy, but are optional, as they can be expensive. If you do not have a skin, just wear a tight t-shirt as your first layer.
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Next, put on 1 or 2 sleeve tops. This will enclose the heat in your first layer, making sure that no hot air from you escapes.It doesn't have to be a particularly tight, clean, expensive or thermal one, just one that fits and isn't too small.
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Then put on 2 or 3 hoodies or jumpers. These will enclose more heat, are really cosy and they are fashionable. You can get a fairly high quality one for not a lot of money.
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Now put on a thick coat or puffy jacket. This will wrap everything up and will keep you warm and trendy
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Now you will need: A neck warmer, which is like a scarf, but is a wool tube that fits around your neck to prevent you from being choked, very thick socks or a couple pairs of normal thermal socks, and earmuffs. You can get earmuffs that fit nicely under your horse riding hat, which is what i have done.if not, you can get special headbands which go over your ears. But make sure you can still hear the instructor!
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Also pop on some thick jodhpurs, maybe even 2 pairs of them. you need to keep your legs warm and moving so that the horse is still responsive to your aids.
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Have lots of fun! I know winter can be cold and miserable, but if you follow these instructions, you should be toasty warm and you can enjoy riding in winter months!
Tips
- Put on LODES of layers. If you get too hot, take one layer off. I'd rather keep taking layers off than putting layers on.
- Don't follow these instructions exactly. Add a few twists to them if you want. This is just a guide.
- If your horse or pony is getting cold, look at my article How To Keep Your Pony Warm In The Winter. I mean, we can't have your horse being cold, can we!?
- Just keep putting the layers on!
- You can purchase hand/foot warmers. The are very, very helpful!
Warnings
- Always wear a BHS approved riding hat
- DON'T wear earmuffs under a riding hat if they are uncomfortable, make your riding hat looser or stop you from hearing as well.
- Always make sure that your riding gear (i.e. chaps, gaiters, riding boots, riding gloves,etc)are in good condition and that putting on all these layers doesn't affect them or the way you ride.
Things You'll Need
- A tight t-shirt or thermal skin
- 2 long sleeved tops
- 2 or 3 hooded sweatshirts or just sweatshirts
- Thick coat or Puffa jacket
- Thick winter riding gloves
- Thick jodhpurs
- Thick socks
- A safe hard hat riding helmet
- Scarf(optional)
- A pony or horse to ride!