why can't you ride in wellies?

So do I because when i was hacking if I had to get off it was often too muddy etc to have jodphur boots on. I liked the little 3/4 boots but they did sometimes catch the saddle flap. In summer i would put Jodphur boots on only if ground was bone dry. I did use safety stirups(so never worried) and I think it was also in case the foot got stuck in the traditional irons ie heel and treads etc.

And have you ever tried riding in shorts....ouch ooooh never again...painful!!
 
I think it's something to do with the sole being flexible and more likely to get stuck in the stirrup. I've got some Ariat mudbusters that are specifically designed to be ridden in as well so when the weather's rubbish (ie cold and / or wet) then I do so and only problem I've had is that they're a bit useless for no stirrups work for me as they're just right length to catch on edge of saddle (don't think how wide they are at top helps!). I've had mine for around 5 years now and they're definitely up there with my favorite horsey possessions! In that time the only damage to them is that the straps at the top with the clips on have snapped (this only happened in the last month though!) and they have a chunk out of one of the soles courtesy of a very stubborn kickbolt! No idea what to replace them with when they do eventually die as I've heard that they're now nearly as bad as hunters...
 
I always understood it was because jod boots had smooth soles that wouldn't get caught in the stirrup if you fell off. I wear Skellerup Terranovas when riding as I ride on the beach and if I want to do ground work or get off the sand is wet!!! And I might want to walk in the sea!!! But then I use flexi stirrups and cages so I think that makes things safer for me!!
 
I was always told there is a greater risk of being dragged in wellies because of their design. I wear riding design muck boots in the wet/winter. They are used to do the paddocks/ stables/riding/everything. They are lovely & warm too. Riding is dangerous enough without adding to it.
 
I have worn wellies plenty of times for riding. However my wellies are about half a size too big for me so if the wellie got stuck in the stirrup, my foot would come straight out.
 
Normal trudge in mud wellies the tread is too thick which can cause the stirrup to get stuck, also wellies are too wide and high in the toe, the heel isn't prominent enough and it's hard to keep your stirrups on the balls of your feet as you can't feel the stirrup.
Also if they are muddy your going to get mud all over your horse and saddle.

There are wellie/yard boots now that claim you can ride in them but I still think they are too big in the foot.

I would buy a cheap pair if wellies to trudge to the field and either long riding boots or short boots and chaps.
 
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