Okay, here's a short back story. Last year, I started horseback riding Western. I didn't have cowboy boots and wore tennis shoes.
Now, it's one year later and I want to do English riding. More specifically, Dressage and/ or Jumping. My family and I aren't the kind where we have tons of money to spend, but not the ones where we don't have any money to spend. What I'm wondering is, do I need Dressage boots or could I just use tall boots for English riding, no matter what the discipline. Also, I am a male and am bigger, especially in my legs. I need to get English riding boots for lessons but they can't be more than like 0. I would prefer they have a full length zipper in the back, but I'm open to all boots. Thanks so much for the help! Oh yeah, how do you measure Dressage/ English saddle sizes for me? And would boot sizes be the same as regular shoe sizes? I'm a twelve by the way.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
If you are a begginner rider and don’t want to spend a ton of money, I recommend some paddock boots (Ariats are the best) and some half chaps. Once you decide you are going to be commited to dressage you should then look into tall boots. Once again, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, buy some field boots. Of course, as loong as you aren’t going to be doing upper level dressage, you don’t need to have dressage boots. Now, dressage boots are the boots you buy when you are REALLY commited. They are expensive (about $500 for a decent pair, but can go up into the $1000s easily) and they are a b!tch to break in. Most of them (unless you are buying Ariats or Dehners which have softer leather) required a high pain tolerance and a strong will. My trainer’s boots actually make her bleed!
I agree with the short boots and gaitors. They will look nice for dressage and will be more flexible for jumping. I found that I can’t jump in tall boots, I find it easier and more comfortable in my gaitors.
I would vote for Ariat. They might be a bit more expensive but they will last a long time.
As for your saddle sizing, take the size of your western saddle and then add another half inch, or full inch. You can go to a saddlery and be able to sit in a few saddles to get a better size. I would recommend getting an all purpose saddle since you want to try dressage and jumping. You will be able to do both in an AP. When you want to get more specific you can get a dressage saddle and still jump in the AP.
Tall boots are the boots used in dressage. Field boots are also okay for lower levels. I would look into consignment stores in your area. The best boots are the used ones. They are already broken in so you don’t have to go through the blisters and sores.
First, who was stupid enough to allow you to ride in tennis shoes??? That is EXTREMELY dangerous. To start, just get a pair of field boots. The only difference bewteen field boots (what you use for eventing, jumping, hunters) and dress boots (for dressage) is field boots have laces and are slightly more flexible. At the lower levels and schooling, field boots are good for any discipline, including dressage. You can find them for under $100. You can find some at doversaddlery.com
this is what they look like:
http://www.peatsridgesaddlery.com/images/clothing/field%20boot%20W.jpg
well start out with paddock boots untill you get more serious than you can buy good boots when you start showing(if you do) because by the time you learn how to ride english than you will have grown out of your boots and they will be worn out. This is what I did
these for me , were 60-80 dollers for a pair. I hope you the best of luck with finding boots and riding english!!!!
You do not need dressage specific boots for general riding. You can use normal riding boots. In your price range, I would suggest looking at Ovation boots from Dover Saddlery. Boot sizes are the same as your shoe size as far as the foot part is concerned. There should be a measurement chart in the catalog to help you select a calf size.
Glad to see you\’re ditching the tennis shoes. That\’s a prescription for disaster. I\’d suggest starting with the short boots/half chaps option.
Saddle fit is a lot more complicated than just adding an inch to your western size! You need to take the length of your thigh into consideration, as well as the size of your butt. I\’m 5\’10\", and had always ridden in a 16\" English saddle. Talked with a GOOD saddler, and she put me in an 18\". Imagine that – I rode a heck of a lot better! Also, go with the ABSOLUTE best saddle you can afford – in fact, spend more than you can afford on it. If you can get one that fits you AND your horse, it\’s more than worth the money. You\’ll go a long ways in keeping your horse sound, and you won\’t have to work so hard, as YOU won\’t be fighting the saddle.
You also need to take into consideration your horse, as you need to find a saddle that works for both you AND your horse. If your horse is short-backed, you need a slightly shorter saddle. Way too many things to go into here on the topic of saddle fitting.