| Horse riding boots come second only to helmets when | | | | resemble the inside feel of a tennis shoe with a similar |
| you are dressing for safety. One of the most | | | | bottom tread, but with a good heel. Just be sure the |
| frightening accidents you can have with a horse is | | | | rubber sole does not extend beyond the foot like the |
| getting thrown (or falling off) and having your foot | | | | old waffle stompers! |
| caught in the stirrup. Once you are off his back, but | | | | If you meet these two conditions, a good heel and |
| your foot is stuck in the stirrup, your horse will run | | | | proper tread, then your horse riding boots are |
| away from this dangling body that appears to be | | | | appropriate. You do not have to have a boot |
| chasing him. They are not smart enough to understand | | | | specifically designed for horse riding, as long as they |
| any better than this. He will run faster to get away and | | | | meet these two criteria. |
| you will be dragged along the ground, somewhere | | | | The classic, all-purpose type horse riding boots are the |
| near his back feet and legs, unable to dislodge yourself. | | | | Ropers. People may refer to several slightly different |
| People have died from these accidents. But, a good | | | | styles of boots as "Ropers", but suffice it to say these |
| pair of horse riding boots can help diminish the chances | | | | boots come several inches above your angle to |
| of this happening. | | | | mid-calf, they fit the foot snugly but looser around the |
| Although they come in various styles, the most | | | | leg. They usually have a rounded toe, not squared or |
| important element of horse riding boots is the heel. | | | | pointed. Some may come in exotic leathers and |
| Horse riding boots must have a heel that is sufficient to | | | | intricate tooling (designs engraved in the leather) but |
| help keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup, | | | | most are rather unassuming! You can work around the |
| about one to two inches high. If you have a heel that is | | | | barn and ride in them all day long in both English and |
| much higher than that, however, it may alter the natural | | | | Western saddles. They are a great all-around work |
| position of your foot in the stirrup. For you ladies out | | | | and horse riding boot. |
| there, imagine riding in high heels! The arch of your foot | | | | Of course, horse riding boots can be very specifically |
| is distorted and will adversely affect your riding position. | | | | designed for what you are doing with a horse. As you |
| The second element to consider is the bottom sole | | | | develop a specialty as a rider, you will want to acquire |
| tread. You want a boot that does not have thick | | | | boots that are suitable for that discipline. For example, |
| car-tire type tread that would make your foot too | | | | if you are jumping, you will want a high English boot |
| snug in the stirrup. You NEVER want to risk having | | | | that fits the calf closely and helps your grip and |
| your foot stuck in the stirrup. It is recommended that | | | | stability. There is a preference in every discipline. So, |
| you have a plain leather sole that is relatively flat. A | | | | ask your fellow riders who share your specialty what |
| rubber sole is perfectly acceptable. In fact, some boot | | | | they use. Just remember, whatever the style, it should |
| companies have designed horse riding boots to | | | | have a good heel and appropriate tread. |