HORSE PEOPLE! ADVICE PLEASE!

[manuka]

Posted message on horse thread too.
Please can anyone advise me on hats and boots as I've been away from riding for 15 years so am completely out of touch with whats around.

I want a top quality hat but stylish too if possible and I want a good pair of top quality great looking boots.
(I know it sounds terribly superficial to bang on about wanting them to look good but I really want to get something really nice for once!)

you would probably be better to look on some equestrian mail order websites to get an idea what is out there, it will also show you the price ranges aswell depending on how much you want to spend, try www.robinsons-uk.com they have a good range of products.

Thanks!

Love my Mountain Horse long boots. They were about £135 but wear brilliantly and scrub up like new. Hat wise I'd go for a scull cap and silk or a vented one. I have a JRT one, about £80 but does keep you a bit cooler on hot days. I prefer the scull cap for comfort though and I feel more secure in it.

Tell us what sort of riding you do and we can advise you.

I hack out in a regular crash hat (Champion) but hoping to get one of the new vented ones for christmas (which don't need a silk).

However for hunting and showing (when I can't wear a bowler) I use a smarter Charles Owen velvet one.

Regarding boots are you talking just for hacking, or for hunting, dressage, etc - presumably you're looking for long boots rather than jodphur boots to be worn with half chaps?

Long boots often have zips on the back these days for comfort and style really depends on your discipline.

What Butkin says....

I wear short boots and half chaps for schooling and hacking, and long Sergio Grasso (sp?) for competing (eventing).

I wear scull cap with silk for schooling, hacking and XC, and I wear a velvet riding hat for Dressage and show jumping.

I think when it comes to hats you'll just have to try a load on and pick which one fits best - for general use prob best getting a scull cap - just make sure you get a silk for it - otherwise you'll look like a right dick!!!

The half chaps migh be best if you're a bit out of practice as they are made out of suede and give a bit more of a grip than long boots. Also to avoid looking like a dick - try not to get plastic boots!

I've got short mountain horse boots and half chaps for most of the time, and a pair of long leather boots for competing (lol, haven't done that since before dd!). Try half chaps and long boots before you buy - not all styles fit all legs.

I'm extremely grateful for all your replies!! I'm going to start with some refresher lessons and hacks first then want to get back into jumping and cross country is my long term goal. I used to have such great ballance I had an amazing teacher who taught us all the 'circus' style tricks. I imagine I would probably fall straight off if I attempted any of that these days!
Whats your opinion on Troxel Orion riding hats? I don't want to look like an idiot wearing something not right for my level of ability.
I'd never considered chaps before. Do they help a lot?

A friend of mine loves her Troxel

If you go for short boots (which are a lot cheaper and (imo) more comfortable for walking around), half chaps give a bit more grip against the saddle flaps than jodhpurs alone do. Also, I really recommend 'sticky bum' jodhpurs, the ones that have suede or mock suede fabric on the inner legs - they really do stop you slipping around in the saddle. Mine are Dublin ones, and my saddle is one of the most slippery saddles I have ever come across (but it was the only one that fit my horse, who has a back like a table top)

I'm right there with you on the sticky bum jods Roksva. I still have the odd pair without an equisuede seat (or whatever they call 'em) and I'm slipping about like a wet kipper when I wear them.

I have short boots and chaps too but find the long boots give greater ankle support/stability to ride in. However, the short boots are much more comfy to drive/muck out in.

I've never tried the Troxel Orion, but don't you think they're fugly??

Roskva, sorry!

I like the Troxels because they look less bulky than traditional skull caps. At least they do on the photos on their website!
thanks for the sticky bum tips! I'll most definitely be getting a pair of those!
I wish I'd never stopped riding. Its really crap to think how when I was younger I thought nothing of going bareback and cantering around with my arms out! Christ if I did that now I'd end up in a+e!
I would love to have that balance again I really hope it's possible.

doctor arse! I forgot to ask, where did you get that name from?! Its hilarious! Are you indeed a doctor of bottoms?!!

I don't actually have one, Doctor

You must have missed my original thread( no pun intended) as the amateurarsedoctor Manuka. My current name is an Italian (IIRC) variation on that theme via babelfish or some such translation thingy thanks to another mumsnet thread.

Here's my first incarnationhere

NO WAY!!!!!!! That's incredibly brave to even attemp it never mind see it through to the successful conclusion!!!!!
I am in awe!!
I'd never dare do that!