Do long boots help your leg/lower leg position?

Kat_Bath

Kat_Bath

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I have already discussed this with a fellow HHOer but I am interested in other peoples opinions too.

Almost all my riding has been done in short boots and chaps apart from when I was 12 and I had an awful pair of rubber boots which I wore mostly when I worked at a riding school and mud was involved.

Do they help? How do they help? Anything else I should know?

(By the way, really, that top line line should read 'PLEASE answer yes to the question above so I have more reason to buy some new shiny boots tomorrow at Newbury show'....) ;)
 
Yes.
I ride in boots and chaps, or short walking type boots but they are riding ones if that makes sense? I feel far more secure with my lower when in my boots and chaps than just the boots.
 
The RIGHT pair of long boots will definately help... my position has done a 360 in a good way since I bought my Donatellas - prior to that was riding in bog standard boots, where as the Donatellas are an exceptionally close fit.
 
I think there's 2 sides to this. With a pair of boots your leg can look to an observer like it is in a better position than it is I think. However, with soft chaps and boots or similar you can't "hide a multitude of sins" like you can with boots but I personally feel like I can get my heel much lower and alter my lower leg position much more easily so that is what I prefer on a day to day basis. Sadly my competition boots and chaps are quite stiff so I don't feel they're as good as my day to day scruffies but I don't suppose they really make that much difference to my scores as I'm quite lucky that lower leg positioning isn't too much of a problem for me!
 
My lower leg is in the process of being improved. I've gone from having my legs bent right underneath me as I thought, as my legs are long, that that's where they should be, to more forward and more round the horse rather than sticking out at all angles due to thigh clamping!

Like your point Angelish! I actually did fall off, aged 13, in my rubber boots and got trodden on. Paramedics removed the one from the bad leg (much to my dispute as I was worried my feet would smell!) but had to cut the top and said they probably prevented anything worse! Despite that, I went to short boots and chaps (was a skint teen)... I'll see what I see tomorrow! ;)
 
I prefer short boots and chaps for position (and I do like a bit of suede for extra grip on my silly loan horse!) But long boots protect your ankle much better. If anything I think long boots that are not very supple or are too snug on the top of the leg would actually prevent you getting your heel down! Heck buy them anyway they look smart...
 
My lower legs are fine but I do feel my toggi canyon boots make them feel more secure than jodhpur boots as the suede is grippy.

I don't think in reality they make a difference to my leg position however.
 
If you want an excuse to buy the they are absolutely essential :). Personally I like chaps and boots. I got some boots ages ago and it's been a real battle breaking them in. I hate my ankles feeling constricted. However after lots of saddle soap and leather conditioner they are now really comfy. I have better feel though with my lightweight leather chaps.
 
Weirdly I like long boots for flat work, have ariat windermere for day to day and mh black long boots for shows. I like the freedom at my ankles.
However for jumping I prefer my boots and chaps as my ariat joddy boots are snug and supportive around my ankle and my generic suede chaps give me imaginary security :D

If you want them get them :) particularly if you can try lots on ..
 
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