Riding in the cold!

pistolpete

pistolpete

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It’s going to be freezing 🥶 tomorrow when I’m back on the lovely share boy! How many layers? I’ve got a brill padded jacket and also have a fleece lined walking jacket? Decisions decisions. Vest leggings and extra t shirt under layers and possibly two pairs of socks! Also have dug put my trusty sealskinz gloves.
 
Depends on weather conditions I guess! I go with as little as poss as I feel restricted in my winter jacket so I wear a thin fleece and a waterproof jacket fleece lined breeches and thermal socks and gloves! Sounds like a lot but they are all thin layers and I wear that most of winter unless it's snowing!
 
Depends what you’re doing when you’re riding?

A gentle walking hack, whilst nattering to friends, as many layers as possible as you’ll freeze!

Schooling or fast hacking in mainly trot/canter, a lot less?

I get really warm when doing the latter type of riding and I hate getting too hot when I’m trying to ‘work’/concentrate. Yet on the ground I’m always FREEZING. I have to strip off to ride, so yesterday I was tacking up/getting ready in a thick equidry…. But took it off and put a hi viz v thin waterproof short jacket on to ride. I was pretty warm once we got going.


I would go for thin layers in natural fabrics to keep the heat in. I’d pay extra attention to your feet as they get cold quickly (and I get chilblains so I’m a bit paranoid about keeping them wrapped up!). Same with gloves- I find the rest of me feels much warmer if my hands don’t get cold. And tuck your top layers into your jods/leggings. Sounds silly but makes a bit difference and keeps your lower back warm.
 
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If I'm just walk hacking I wrap up or your freeze I wear fleece leggings under breeches, thermal base layer, thick fleece, body warmer, 2 pairs of socks, ear warmer band for under riding hat and gloves.

For schooling I start off with it all on then end up taking top layers off or I boil 😅

The ear warmer bands are a life saver for me as I have really short hair and hate cold ears and head.
 
HollyWoozle said:
In my experience the cold gets in your legs as they are often overlooked. I would suggest a pair of tights under your jods/breeches as a minimum - they can make a substantial difference in keeping warmth in.
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I hate cold legs I always wear 2 layers when it's cold I don't know how people just wear the thin riding type bottoms on there own 🥶
 
Pinkvboots said:
I hate cold legs I always wear 2 layers when it's cold I don't know how people just wear the thin riding type bottoms on there own 🥶
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I call that exposed thigh between your tops and your boots the ‘chiller department’. It cools blood on the way down to your feet, then cools it again on the way back up into your body 🥶
 
Keep the legs and feet warm and you will be fine. Everyone focuses so much on keeping their body warm because they don't necessarily feel the cold on their legs. But the thigh is where chillblanes take hold the quickest. Prevention is better than cure in their case.

I ride out in a either base layer trousers or the brushed cotton heat holder ones under a pair of jeans and a pair of waterproofs from October to Easter.

On my feet I have a pair of knee high socks, toe warmers then a thicker pair of socks.
 
Good lord; how cold is it supposed to be over there? I used to live in Colorado, and the most extra I ever wore in winter when riding was a fleece bodywarmer - and that often got jettisoned if things were spicey!
 
Two pairs of socks for sure- I find my feet get cold even if I'm working! My core is generally okay with a vest top, base layer, jumper and coat, but my hands and feet struggle!
 
I believe that Colorado cold is very different from UK cold where the humidity is also high. My winter riding boots are lined and I wear two pairs of socks with them, thermal and wool.
This is because my first ever hack was in snow. We hacked because the school where I usually rode was snowed over. I dismounted in my normal ariat boots and wool socks and the RI was worried that at my age, if I landed on cold feet, I might crack a bone. I was 61 at the time and she sent me off to get better winter clothes. I still rotate my feet and wriggle my toes before dismounting.
I dont switch to my winter clothers (or use the larger stirrups then needed) till it is below zero. London has had warm winters for the last few years and I dont think I have ever ridden my current share with the temperature below freezing.

However, I am a winter rider and love riding in cold weather.
 
I think the sudden drop in temperature is what gets us. Yesterday morning was 15 degrees. Today was minus 3. I haven't felt cold once since being my Equidry all-rounder. Great for riding in as it covers your legs.
 
I fine a pair of thermoregulating tights on under your jodhs help with nice long thick socks over the top. I do a long sleeve tshirt under a short sleeve tshirt then my hoodie or fleece on top. Im usually toastie with my riding jacket on top.
 
I wear 2 pairs of leggings or warmer jods, a vest top, baselayer, good quality fleece and gillet if no rain forecast and a pair of woolly socks over normal ones. If I’m not moving I get pretty cold but as soon as I’m doing something I keep a decent temperature.
 
Glad you had a good ride 😍

I did 10 miles today and set off in 1° wearing

Ariat insulated long boots
Bamboo socks
Decathlon Kipwarm breeches
Thermal base layer
Coldstream fake down filled winter coat
Headband under hat
Fleece lined snood
Gloves

I was a pretty decent temperature, until we hit the cold, exposed bit then felt it a bit more but I was never truly cold. The worst bit I find is when you've gotten warm and then get a bit chilly until you warm up again!
 
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