Chaps?

James Blunt...as a man?

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FestiveFuzz

FestiveFuzz

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Hi there,

I have just got a new horse and have moved to a new yard, everyone is lovely and has gone out of their way to be friendly however yesterday when I went to head off to the school a women came up to me and asked where my chaps were??? Now is there any specific reason as to why I should be wearing chaps when schooling as I just thought they were a personal preference?! I usually wear my long boots for lessons and either mucker boots or jodh boots for everyday riding and have never thought twice about it, but this comment has just got me thinking as to whether I should be wearing chaps when riding in short boots?!
 
Awww I don't blame you!!! lol! Sorry if anyone thinks this is a pointless post but I just realised after 16 years of riding I had no idea why people wear chaps and wondered if I was alone in this?!
 
I also only got them because I couldnt find a long pair of boots that fit because iv got short legs! But can get chaps in short length
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I wear chaps, I have two pairs my good Ariats for lessons which look smart and Tredstep ones for everyday riding and hacking. I hate jods riding up and there being a big gap between my jod boots and my jods!
 
I wear long chaps to keep my legs warm and dry in the winter
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I wear short ones when schooling and hacking as I find I have a bit more 'grip' than without, and they're comfier than long boots for every day use
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I'm a bit too reliant on them now though
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I have always been told to wear chaps because they strengthen the ankle area when riding, as well as protecting your legs.
It is also a rule to wear chaps or long boots on some yards I go to in case you get kicked or troddon on (basically as a protection thing), plus I think they look good!!!
 
I use half chaps with short ariat boots for comfort in the summer, during winter tend to wear full chaps to keep my legs warm. If not wearing half/full chaps then will wear full length boots. No rule to say you have to wear chaps, as others have said it is personal choice.
 
Personal preference really, but i wear them, keep me cleaner and warm & comfy in the winter.

Don't think they would help much though if you were kicked or trodden on as they are only another layer of material.

Never come across a yard that inforces wearing chaps though, as they are no real benefit to riding, training, safety etc.
 
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I wear half chaps for nice days and full chaps for horrid days, but you dont have to wear them. Why on earth would you, nothing to do with safety?

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Thats what I thought, but I thought I better check just in case I was being dim!!! I had a look around and the only person actually wearing chaps was the woman who questioned me in the first place, so maybe it was just her *shrugs* thanks for everyones input though
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Yea I might just do that! I think she might just be your typical yard busybody as she made some comment about my bridle too, but hey, I'll see what she says today when I go to hack out, no doubt she'll comment on my exercise sheet or something! lol!
 
Adults wear chaps because Adults mostly buy breeches which are not long enough to reach the top of your short boots.

I wear shorts boots and chaps when I hack. When I have a lesson, I wear my best long boots. I think you should wear the same footwear for lessons and schooling, as you wear for competitions. I have a theory that my horse knows the difference between work time and leisure time.
 
I always wear my best long boots for lessons but don't have a problem with breeches or jodhs reaching my short boots as I am quite short which is perhaps why I've never seen the need for chaps. Thanks for that
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I have never worn half chaps and I only wear full chaps in the winter to keep me warm.

I can school perfectly fine in short boots same goes for hacking no pain or anything and chaps weren't around when I learnt to ride. Correct riding attire for kids back then was always short johdpur boots with those joddy clips to keep your johpurs over top top of your boots. This was correct for showing to, might still be.

No need for them. But I did schock the hell out of a dealer last year when I hopped on and rode happily qithout them.
 
I had a pair of jods that weren't really jods, just stretchy ski pant things, I wear joddy boots cos I'm too tall for long boots and wore holes in the calves of them, so I made myself half chaps Blue Peter style from a pair of old leggings and some elastic and was able to wear the "jods" for several years. I wore them from habit more than anything even with real jods cos it looked a wee biteen more sophisticated at my *ahem* age...
 
I put yes as if I wear short boots then I always wear chaps. Mainly because I find the stirrup leathers pinch my legs otherwise, also feel my leg is a bit more secure as there is a bit of friction beween the chap and saddle.

At the moment I have been riding in Woof boots though as they are nice and cozy. For lessons I wear short boots with gaiters.

I dont think there is any reason why you have to wear chaps, just personal preferance.
 
i usually where half chaps, or in cold weather rambo full chaps.

The only time i dont wear them is if im just hoping on for a short stroll.

if its a really hot summer i have been known to hack out in shorts and half chaps, quite a sight i can tell you !!
 
Ask her why she said it? Very baffling as little ones are often specifically NOT allowed to wear chaps....
 
Half chaps for just about everything 'cos I have such short legs that finding boots to fit is a real nightmare - so very posh short boots with super-posh half-chaps is about as good as it gets. Mind you, we don't compete very high level (Obviously)

E
 
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