Wow! Can new riding boots really do this?

[Naiad]

My old riding boots are Ariat paddock boots - about 8 years old now (not in constant use over this time, but still old). They were really worn, and the old Ariats had less arch support and are wider.

Well, I put on my brand new Ariats last night (not the Quantum Performer, which I dislike, but last year's version, Cobalt Performer) and had a ride in them. Amazing. They have more arch support, not so wide so less excess width, and leather is not all floppy so more ankle support. In short, it felt like my entire leg (esp. lower leg) position was instantly better! I wonder if the position was really better, or if the support just made it feel better. Either way, I should have replaced my riding boots years ago! What was I thinking riding in those old worn boots. When I put my old boots on after the ride for hanging out about the barn, it felt like I was wearing unsupportive rubber rain boots in comparison to the new boots.

Has anyone else ever noticed a real improved difference in their legs when riding in good boots vs. old worn boots etc.?

[DollysMum]

When I stopped riding in trainers ( ) and bought a proper pair of long riding boots I instantly felt like I had a more secure leg position. It's a nice feeling

[ChrissieW]

Yes I pretty much only ever ride in long leather riding boots now, as I have dodgy ankles and find their support much better and improves my leg stabilty.

I hate riding in short boots and chaps nowadays as have got so used to riding in long boots.

[Heather]

I do know riders who find this, folks. But I am the opposite, I love my German riding trousers, and havent had a pair of breeches and long boots on since buying the first pair of riding trousers, in 2007!

[TashaKat]

I'm the opposite too, I always rode in long boots or gaiters but I much prefer to ride in short boots, no gaiters, these days.

[Claire]

if i ride in short boots - which i practically never do these days - they have to be ariats or similar which support the ankle - but much prefer long...

[Naiad]

Interesting that many of you prefer long boots. My new Ariats are also paddock boots and I wear with some half-chaps. I've never tried riding in a long boot.  

I do know riders who find this, folks. But I am the opposite, I love my German riding trousers, and havent had a pair of breeches and long boots on since buying the first pair of riding trousers, in 2007!

What are German riding trousers? Are they those pants that Anja et al. always ride in or something else? What boots do you ride in?

[3DE]

I prefer short boots - much more feel from the horse. If I ride in long boots I feel 'dead'. Yes you have more support but isn't it better to learn how to support yourself that relying on something else to do it for you?

[whisper's mum]

I prefer long boots because I have over flexible ankles and they are much more stable in long boots, also stops me from jamming my heels down. I take all the help I can get!   

[Naiad]

I prefer short boots - much more feel from the horse. If I ride in long boots I feel 'dead'. Yes you have more support but isn't it better to learn how to support yourself that relying on something else to do it for you?

The thing is like one of the posters above, I also have overly flexible wiggly joints (just the way some people are born) and the extra stability can make your leg more supported, which will be nicer for the horse rather than having wiggly lower legs due to overly flexible ankle joints moving the lower leg in strange positions. I wear short paddock boots with a half-chap. So it is not lack of wanting to support your own leg, but often just natural human conformation issues that are improved with support etc. If this makes my leg feel better to the horse, then it all seems okay to me. 

[happy-horses]

I usually wear ariat short boots and chaps (unless its really hot!)   I find normal stirrup leathers used to pinch without chaps but the bates/HM ones are fine without chaps. I like riding in my long boots to, like whispersmum I'll take any help I can get  

[winnieandben]

I am bad and ride in my walking boots, not really suitable for getting stuck in stirrup  but I do find my long leather boots better for stability and I also need the help 

[feemac]

I love my ariat grassmeres to ride in they aresoft and flexible so you can feel the horses side but you can lace them up for supporting your legs getting a bit worse for wear. But I'd loveto get back in my brogini's they are super for competion!

[sandpiper]

The best pair of boots I've ever had have been the Ariat Cobalt H2O DevonPro boots, they are fantastically comfortable and supportive with a good pair of chaps.  But I do also like riding with long boots, I don't really have a preference except I tend to ride with short boots during the summer.  I like to have protection over my calves and couldn't ride with nothing there.

[thecatsmother]

I prefer short boots - much more feel from the horse. If I ride in long boots I feel 'dead'. Yes you have more support but isn't it better to learn how to support yourself that relying on something else to do it for you?

The same could be said of Heather's saddles, in that they put/support you into a better position, even though one can hold oneself in decent position in a stirrup-bars-set-forward saddle  . (Also the use of the pelham helping those of us with less than perfect hands give a steadier contact to the horse   )  Personally I'm another who feels that if it helps you to help/communicate more clearly/consistently with the horse then that can only be a good thing? Heather communicates so subltly with a horse compared to me  When I am able to move my legs precisely enough to say "brushing against this hair on your side means go forwards, but brushing against this hair means go sideways, and brushing as hard as a midge means halt-to-walk, but brushing as hard as a bluebottle means halt-to-canter", then I may consider myself worthy of riding in German riding trousers   (I'm a bit like an ignorant English tourist at the moment - if Chocky doesn't understand what I'm saying I'm mighty tempted to just say the same thing louder