Riding in boots marketed as yard boots

S

stimpy

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 February 2009
Messages
548
Visit site
Would you ride in these:

http://www.robinsonsequestrian.com/harry-hall-neoprene-wellington.html

I am sick of trashing every pair of leather boots that I have ever owned so I am looking for a synthetic alternative. I have to walk across a muddy field to get to my stables and so I need something that I can hose off before I ride but still traipse through the mud which will be ankle deep before long. I have bought and rejected quite a few versions of neoprene riding boots as they all seem to have a rubber patch on the inside of the leg and I don't want that lying against my saddle flap. I figure that the soft neoprene of these won't mark my saddles like rubber has done but although the sole looks OK to me they are not marketed as riding boots. What do you reckon?
 
I would not ride in those no, as they are wellies I would expect zero feel against the horse's side and they would feel large and clumpy in the stirrups.
I always wear muck boots around the yard and through all the mud and just change into my leather riding boots as I am about to get on.
 
No I wouldn't ride in them. I have wellies for ankle deep mud and we'll... Riding boots for riding. I change just before I get on board
 
I just can't do the changing thing, I've tried it but I get *frozen* feet if I change into riding boots just before I ride. I think I need to warm them up walking around before getting on otherwise I am doomed. And then when I get off and have to put on cold wellies... aaargh! It's even worse on the days that I ride both of mine, the constant changing just ensures that my feet are permanently cold.

I don't think I'm a lightweight but I really sound like one I know :(
 
Have you considered changing boots but using boot warmers on the pair you don't have on? Either the electric ones (you can get them for ski boots, have a google) or the reusable ones that you click the button in and they heat up? That way you would have warm boots to put on and keep your riding boots clean. I have to wear wellies as it is knee deep mud to the field, but change to riding boots to ride and this is what I do as I do get cold feet.
 
I used to own a pair of Rimfrost Riders by Mountain Horse that were pretty durable in the mud yet a good riding boot. They died after about a year but it was worth it to not have to keep changing my boots around.
 
I wouldn't ride in these - they look like they have too much tread on the sole for my liking. Ariat wellies (I know they're not the cheapest) do have soles suitable to ride in - but I can't recommend riding in them to be honest. My ariat wellies are hideous to ride in!

I would get a thick pair of socks and some boot warmers and change boots before you get on.

:)
 
You may not find them that bad to ride in - i used to have a similar pair as like you, changing in to cold boots wasn't an option, especially with time already tight! The ones that fit snug against your leg actually do give a reasonable amount of support. I wish i could remember the make of mine! Maybe just togs?! Just don't go for the hunter 'riding boot wellie' as they're horrendous to ride in. Fine for hacking out but not to school in.
 
Lots of good suggestions there; thanks all. Sadly I have tried nearly all the suggestions to no avail! The most notable fail being the electric boot warmers that I bought and then found they were on a Y shaped cable that wasn't actually long enough to get the warmer bit in the foot... :(
 
I've got these http://www.ariat.com/TERRAIN_H2O_M_FOO.html
Brilliant yard boots, lovely to ride in, waterproof, pretty warm and so so comfy (you can use them as walking boots as well-went on a 10mile walk the first day I got them, not a blister in sight).
So if you can stretch to buy those, I'd really recommend them. I've ad mine 5 years, haven't looked after them at all and they're still going strong.
 
Ariat Conistons, very expensive but a fantastic boot for yard work, dog walking, mud, water, riding and even hunting. Last very well, the zips on my last pair needed replacing after 2 years but they were worked very hard. I'm currently saving up for another pair!
 
i ride in similar boots ( mine are ROK ) but ONLY in stirrups where theres an elastic bit at the sides as they are very clunky. well there was an elastic bit at the side of mine, but it broke and now i use hair elastics LOL :) otherwise i ride in my bromonts which are a godsend, but my last paid died a death due to muddy fields!
 
sarcasm_queen said:
I've got these http://www.ariat.com/TERRAIN_H2O_M_FOO.html
Brilliant yard boots, lovely to ride in, waterproof, pretty warm and so so comfy (you can use them as walking boots as well-went on a 10mile walk the first day I got them, not a blister in sight).
So if you can stretch to buy those, I'd really recommend them. I've ad mine 5 years, haven't looked after them at all and they're still going strong.
Click to expand...

Ah those are my boots - well obviously not the same pair! They are amazing boots. Mine are very old now. Generally only use them for muddy dog walks etc. but they are holding up brilliantly.
My Ariat Grasmeres are troopers too in mud and water. Keep my feet warm riding in freezing cold. And my feet and hands are generally blue with cold all winter. But they are expensive. The boots, not my frozen toes.
 
Do Dublin still do their 'River' boot ie a fake Dubarry :) ?
My friend had a pair of those on when we walked through the river at the E&S team chase and her feet stayed completely dry, so I'm sure you can hose them off. They're also much better for riding in than anything wellie shaped. Just bear in mind that any leather boot needs looking after in order to stay waterproof.
 
No i wouldnt ride in them - The toe will split after a short while as they are not designed to bend in the right way when you are riding.

Also they will be chunky and not fit into my stirrups as well.

Try the welly warmers again - Or just do the welly warmer dance like the rest of us ;)
 
the cold feet/changing boots thing is why I originally bought my Ariat Grasmeres & I now have a pair of Glaciers. On days when I'm not planning on riding I just wear wellies but for riding days I love my ariats. Expensive I know, but so comfortable, warm and have lasted well despite being used for poo picking fields etc.
 
I think you need to go more down the combo route with a waterproof liner Ariats/dubarrys if you are feeling flush. Kanyons, dublins etc if less so ;)
 
Tapir said:
the cold feet/changing boots thing is why I originally bought my Ariat Grasmeres & I now have a pair of Glaciers. On days when I'm not planning on riding I just wear wellies but for riding days I love my ariats. Expensive I know, but so comfortable, warm and have lasted well despite being used for poo picking fields etc.
Click to expand...

Ditto. My Grasmeres are one of the best things I've ever bought. I haven't looked after them as well as I probably should have but 2 winters in and they have been worth every penny. When I bought them I worked in a really cold garage so I would wear them to work with skinny jeans, keep them on at the yard through al the mud, ride then hose off and leave them ready to put on the next day. Love them and never had cold feet in them.
 
Hacking out in these will be fine. Not great for schooling, but hacking will be no bother. I don't know about the rest of you, but the majority of the time I ride before work and I do not have the time to mess around changing footwear - priority is in getting the horse exercised, not having the ultimate riding boots on my feet!
 
Ariats Grassmeres

Yes expensive but last forever - so think instead of paying 50/60 quid every 6months, pay 250 or so up front and not have to worry for years!

They are the MOST comfortable and WARM boots ever.

They are the only good thing about winter!!!
 
Another vote for ariat Grassmeres. I've had mine for about 4 or 5 years, I haven't looked after them in the slightest but they are still completely waterproof, happy to trudge through mud, keep my feet toasty and are fine for riding in. I think that although they are quite expensive, they work out best value over all. I live in mine all year round :-)
 
Have you tried fleece socks? Cotton gets cold when damp but not fleece and you can have one pair of welly socks in the wellies and keep your riding socks underneath. Can't tell you if they are good yet but have ordered some Horseware softie socks to keep feet warms. Had a pair of cheap fleece welly socks from B&Q last winter and they worked a treat (gave them to my mom in France as they are not common there).
oh, sheepskin insoles is another idea!
 
Last edited:
I ride in wellies loads. Well my grubs But I'm a scruff and they're fine for me. I get told off loads but I feel fine in them and don't think roo cares.
 
I don't know those ones, but I ride regularly in these (in fact, I arrive at field, feed, groom, tack up, walk young horses in hand, poo pick,wade through streams, ride and drive to and from field in them). They are lovely and warm in winter and can be hosed off when I get home. A pair seems to last me about a year to 18 months before starting to let in water, but given that I walk miles in them, ride miles in them and drive the car in them, I think that's allowable. The Muck Boots Riding boot is similar - I've had them too. They're not wellies, they have a proper shaped foot and heel for riding.
http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/just-to...boot-p283376?gclid=CMuviamZj8ICFQQOwwodXbMAeA
 
Oh my god, how can this thread have developed to the point where I am now considering £250??!

Only in horsey circles... ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top