Riding in shorts and other inappropriate kit...

[Shadowdancing]

Anyone? It's super hot! Saw a friend at my yard riding her horse in shorts the other day. I've still got the scar on my calf from where I did that last year! Do you ride in shorts or other inappropriate kit in the summer... I've been contemplating shorts and trainers but live in absolute terror of getting trapped in a stirrup so probably won't- I've done it bareback but the school is booked tonight so I have to ride out.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I used to hack out in shorts with full chaps over the top with short boots when I worked at yards just because it's quicker than changing and found they are unbelievably cool to ride in considering how bulky they are, I could never ride in just shorts my legs would be rubbed raw and I never really schooled in full chaps but they did the job for hacking.

 

[Damnation]

Nope, too much of a wimp! I may ride in Jeggings, and jodphur boots but the most rebellious I go is a vest top!

 

[Casey76]

I'll ride in shorts and short boots and chaps. But then again my shorts are always knee length, my thighs are really not fit for public viewing

 

[EBHouse]

Used to do it all the time as a teenager... Jodhpur boots and hot pants were all the range for me

Remember one memorable day when I rode down to the lake with a synthetic saddle on. "It'll be fine to swim with because it's plastic". Lost both my stirrups due to the drag in the water which promptly sank. What blisters I ended up with riding home on a wet wintec My mother wasn't amused when she had to replace my stirrup irons and leathers...

Would avoid riding in shorts now for fear of chafing. Would and have done it bareback but have the fear of horse hair in the nether regions

Also the idea of falling off with bare legs makes me cringe, have had carpet burns on my arms from our arena surface before and I tend to think now the less skin on show the better.

 

[Pinkvboots]

bare legs in stinging nettles is not good either and some round here are so tall your poor legs would be in them constantly.

 

[twiggy2]

Always wear 'proper' attire on lower half and feet but a sports bra with hi viz vest over the top is hot weather wear if hacking my mare

 

[Auslander]

Used to hack/gallop the event horses in shorts, half chaps and a bikini top in my younger days!

 

[spacefaer]

I'll always remember a woman who was escorting a pony trek I went on aged about 10 - in Scotland - wearing a shocking pink string bikini.

With a saddle. On a wide Highland pony. She must have been doing it for years as her skin was the colour of the bay pony she was riding

 

[pennyturner]

Shorts are fine if you're bareback. With a saddle, you need a very steady lower leg to prevent the stirrups pinching.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

spacefaer-where was that? I think I might know her lol!


In the US we wore shorts, jod boots and long chaps for riding (hunt seat) and shorts and trainers on the yard. The US girls would rife in trainers but a lifetime of conditioning meant I couldnt do that or ride without a hat.

 

[lewis2015]

I'll always remember a woman who was escorting a pony trek I went on aged about 10 - in Scotland - wearing a shocking pink string bikini.

With a saddle. On a wide Highland pony. She must have been doing it for years as her skin was the colour of the bay pony she was riding

Wow! Although I'd never ride in that, a tiny part of me aspires to be this lady! Lol

 

[Lanky Loll]

crop top, cycling shorts, short boots and full chaps back in the day... not anymore people would go blind

 

[ponyparty]

i rode horse bareback from the field on Sunday, wearing a slip dress and little slip on sandals, because i went to the yard straight from the pub and forgot to take my boots with me - the stony, dusty ground was too much to bear and it's a mile walk from summer grazing too!

I got bitten on the shin by a horse fly and when i got out of the car after driving home, i'd left white horse hair all over the drivers seat. needless to say I had a shower as soon as I got in! don't think i'll be trying that again any time soon!

 

[Crackerz]

i don't ever wear shorts, so riding in them would never cross my mind I don't even wear vest tops!

 

[chaps89]

Shorts and vest tops for me when the sun comes out. Haven't had any problems with my legs pinching this year but have only been pootling round the lanes in walk and trot. And if I'm in the field poo-picking or ragworting then bikini top it is. Had a groundwork lesson yesterday- had my hat, gloves and riding boots on a la bhs style, then shorts and a vest top. My very respectable instructor was still in long sleeved t-shirt, breeches and long boots

 

[Damnation]

Used to hack/gallop the event horses in shorts, half chaps and a bikini top in my younger days!

Bikini top?!!

I would have had black eyes

 

[Auslander]

Bikini top?!!

I would have had black eyes

So would I nowadays! I was 19, and a string bean in those days!

 

[twiggy2]

Bikini top?!!

I would have had black eyes

Show off ;-)

 

[LibbyL]

2 girls up the road from me who run a riding school regularly take out rides in bikinis and no hat! Certainly slows down the traffic...

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I used to. Wore jodhpur boots not trainers though. I had a seat saver fleece that covered the whole saddle with a slot at the bottom for the stirrups to poke through. No pinched legs :smile3:

 

[Auslander]

So would I nowadays! I was 19, and a string bean in those days!

Claim to fame http://www.foxpitteventing.co.uk/gallery/ I'm on the bay horse in the last but one row of pics (WFP on the grey)in the "William over the years" gallery. I reckon I'm twice the size nowadays.

Chair/safe seat FTW!! That saddle was affectionately referred to as the "Fanny Basher", so I had a good excuse...

 

[Holding]

Would never ride in anything but breeches and boots these days. The one time I rode in shorts (aged 18) I lost all the skin on the inside of my lower legs - too much blood and pus for me to make that mistake again. I used to take rides out in Argentina in leggings and a dress (and no hat), for reasons known only to my younger self.

 

[LHIS]

Nope! I can't have any bare skin, the risk of sun burn and horse fly bites don't make it worth the risk. I wear the same gear all year round, and always a long sleeve top. Putting my BP on last night was almost a step too far heat-wise , but I wouldn't ride without it.

 

[Hannahgb]

Ive still got the scar on my knee from falling off in shorts. Haven't done it since!

 

[Mariposa]

When I was a polo groom in NZ we wore shorts and half chaps, with just a sports bra/crop top to exercise the ponies most day! Oh to be young, carefree (aka idiotic) and have a flat stomach again! I did however always wear a helmet, despite the lack of other clothing!

 

[silv]

Frequently ride in shorts with jodhpur boots and decent 1/2 chaps in the summer. Have even turned up for dressage lesson like that, quite common over here. Just got to make sure that the shorts are of the longer variety so they don't ride up too far as too much thigh is not a pretty sight!

 

[monte1]

strappy tops shorts and trainers - no saddle and bareback down to the river through my teens and twenties- used to pop a saddle pad to sit on though to avoid horsehair getting where it shouldn't!

basic standard kit of bikini top and shorts for any stable/field duties nowadays, then change to vest top, breeches and boots to ride in.

 

[Damnation]

So would I nowadays! I was 19, and a string bean in those days!

Even in my "skinnier" days I couldn't risk it!

Show off ;-)

More of a burden I assue you! I get suffocated if I lie on my back! Then the shoulder pain...

 

[Annagain]

Even in my "skinnier" days I couldn't risk it!



More of a burden I assue you! I get suffocated if I lie on my back! Then the shoulder pain...

I feel your pain, I forgot to change into my sports bra when I rode the other day. My intention to do a good 45mins in the school soon turned into a walk only hack.