Are Western boots suitable for English style riding on a horse holiday?

[Greekgoddess2000]

I’m about to do my second horse-riding holiday in Morocco and need some new boots.

I’ve got the usual big muddy Dublin boots for fields/home, but for travelling I’d love something lighter and more stylish that I can also wear as my main boot through the airport, walking around etc.

I’ve found these Ariat Western boots and really like them, but I’ve never seen anyone riding English in Western boots.
Does anyone?
Is there any practical/safety reason not to?

And if not these, any recommendations for lightweight, stylish riding boots that work well for horse holidays would be very welcome!

Ariat Boots Ariat

Depending on your length of leg and comfortable stirrup length, it would worry me the top of the boot will catch under the saddle flap. Jodphur/ankle western would surely be better? Are you used to riding without leather to protect your calves on the saddle flap though?

I’ve got some short Ariat boots and I don’t think they have much grip.

They don’t.

Thank you - last time I actually rode in leggings and regular fashion ankle boots - but I did get some bruising to the calf’s especially after gallops!
maybe chaps half and ankle boots then….

No, they're fine. Just mind they don't catch under the saddle flap. My muck boots sometimes do and are the same height.

When you say “horse holiday” how much riding are you doing?

if it’s a on off hour or so then it’s less important.

if you are trekking every day for a week invest in some decent gear. Proper boots, jodhpurs. You’ll be much more comfortable and far safer.

try the kit out as well before you go. As pp have said you may get those boots then find the tops catch, then what? Again ok for an hour, not so much for a 3 hour trek.

it’s like most activities, proper kit makes a massive difference.

If you've booked via a tour operator who specialises in horse riding holidays, then contact them and ask for advice.

Same height as a lot of boots worn in racing yards. Never bothered me although most work was done with shorter stirrups so less potential for saddle flap issues.

Look like they'll be fine. How much actual riding are you dojng- catering and jumping or more relaxing plodding along?

I ride Western & English so have both.

I wouldn't ride in western boots with English stirrups as there's a risk the boots will get stuck in the stirrups if you fall. They are much chunkier around your foot.

How about Ariat Telluride for example - short boots that are comfy enough to wear all day plus lightweight?

I ride long distances, work in airports for a living, and spend a lot of time in hot countries and a lot of time hiking. I’m here to tell you there is no such thing as a single piece of lightweight footwear that will do all of the above and do it stylishly.

First off - those boots will not be lightweight. They’ll be well made of substantial leather and weigh a ton. I had western boots (purely for fashion) when living in the southern USA and they are solid bits of footwear! They are also really hard to get off unless you have a boot jack or a friend with you.

They won’t be practical in an airport - you’ll have to take them off for security (make sure you’ve got your friend with you again!) and they will click like a bastard on the hard floors. Everyone will turn round to see what is coming as you approach.

You could ride in them but they won’t help you keep your lower leg in the correct position if you are riding English style. This in turn will make you uncomfortable over long hours in the saddle. Plus any regular rider will look at your feet and have a quiet laugh among themselves. Who wears cowboy boots for riding? Really? Unless you are a genuine cowboy and can demonstrate the skills, you are just a weirdo with all the gear, no idea!

So, having dissed your choice what would I recommend instead? Well, not long Dublin boots either, they are for mucking out in st a push, but mainly for walking the dog or going to the pub in if you want to look ‘country set.’

The most practical boots for this sort of thing would be a pair of endurance boots. Ariat make various versions of those too. But my favourite brand are these Tuffa short boots with a pair of half chaps. I’ve been told by a more fashion-conscious friend they look like orthopaedic footwear. But they are lightweight, comfortable and you can walk all day in them. I also wear Bareback Kentucky boots, but I hesitate to recommend them because the first pair I bought (8 years ago) are like comfy old slippers, the second pair nearly sawed my feet off at the ankle.

Whatever you buy will need wearing in, like good walking boots would. And for gods sake please buy yourself a proper pair of riding tights while you are at it and ditch the leggings. The seams on leggings are in all the wrong places and could rub you raw if you are unlucky.

If you are really going to be on a riding holiday for riders, wear regular riding gear. Both for the sake of comfort and practicality. Leggings and/or cowboy boots scream ‘no idea’ to real riders, even Moroccan ones.

Thank you that’s all been really useful. I’ve bought some short boots with half gaiters and some new jodphurs.