What Not to Wear - Stable Style
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Street clothes don’t always make good riding clothes. A few of these things I’ve learned the hard way. Others are (un)common sense. Here’s what not to wear in the stable, or when you’re riding.
Thick Inseams on Jeans
Some people ride in jeans all of the time. Some of us find them like wearing sandpaper, especially if the double sewn seam is along the inside of your leg. I’ve ridden my knees and calves raw in jeans. Look for pants with a flat inseam, or tights made for riding instead.
Open Toe or Heel Shoes
Any type of sandal is a big no-no around horses. If you're around horses long enough, you will have your toe stomped on and you definitely want a bit of protection when it happens. You also want a stable footbed when you have your feet in the stirrups and open toed shoes are usually sloppy. Leave the flip-flops for the beach and the garden clogs for yard work.
Related: What Not to Wear - Riding Style
Related: Put A Sock In It!
Related: Ten Reasons Not to Wear a Helmet
High Heels
If you want to look silly and compromise your balance high heels are a good idea. If you want stability when you walk, and you want to be safe, riding boots or other sturdy footwear are a much better option when working around and riding horses. Save your heels for red carpet events and cocktail parties.
Billowy and Baggy Clothes
Flowing dresses, billowy blouses and harem pants may look romantic on horseback but they’re also a bit of a hazard if you come off. There’s a reason riding clothes are trim and fitted. You’re less likely to get tangled in your gear if you part company with the horse. You’re also less likely to catch your clothes on branches, fences and other objects you ride by.
Chunky Soles
Why do platform soles ever become popular? They’re just plain ugly. They’re not a great idea around horses either. Like heels, they compromise your balance when you walk, and they’re too bulky for stirrups. Hiking boots are similar, as they are often thick soled with a heavy tread that might not slip out of the stirrup easily if you have an unscheduled dismount. They might be just right for climbing the manure pile though.
Flats
The opposite of heels is flats. Well, not exactly. You’re probably more agile in flats, but most flats are flimsy, and have no heel to prevent your feet slipping through the stirrups. If you must choose one over the other for riding, say because you’re being rescued from a tedious red carpet event by a knight on horseback, I’d go with heels. But, flats don’t really have a place in the stable, or as part of your riding ensemble.
Long Flowing Hair
Long flowing hair floating on the breeze as you gallop along may look romantic. But, the reality is, it should be kept under a helmet and tied back out of your face. You always want to see where you’re going when you ride. You also don’t want to get it tangled in any branches you ride under. I write what I know in this case.
Shorts
If jeans don’t rub your legs raw, try shorts. I wonder how many tourists have found this out the hard way - after a romantic ride along the beach followed by a cooling dip in the salty ocean water. Ouch. I do know of people who ride in shorts. They line their saddles with sheepskin. Still, the chances of getting scratched out on trail are pretty good. Long pants are best.
Very Low Rise Jeans
Some of you may able to pull this look off. Others of us will have this look pulled off as we ride. Even with a belt, this can be risky - or risque.
Ball Caps, Toques, Bowlers...
It doesn’t matter that fascinators are all the rage, or you have the coolest gangsta cap in the hood. The only hat that should be on your head while you ride is an ASTM or equivalent approved helmet. Don’t try to convince me otherwise, because I’ll just stick my fingers in my ears. Lalalalalalalala... I don’t hear you.
Bright Undies Under White Tights or Breeches
Just don’t do this. Check yourself in the mirror in good lighting before you leave the house.
Jewelery
My husband really doesn’t understand why I’m not a big fan of jewelery. After hooking an earring on a tree branch on trail I’ve avoided wearing anything dangly. This includes necklaces. A tasteful pair of pearl or diamond studs may look elegant in the showring, but anything more is in the way. I’m not a huge fan of stockpins either. When working around horses and riding, think carefully before wearing anything with a pointy end. |
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