06 Dec Winter Horseback Riding: What to Wear
Winter Horseback Riding: What to Wear
Not sure what to wear when you go horseback riding in the winter? Mountain Creek Riding Stable has all the clothing tips and tricks to make sure you’re comfortable in the cold. Don’t let the weather stop you from enjoying this activity!
The Basics:
- Wear a helmet with a tight cap underneath for warmth
- Plan to use thermal layers, a coat and additional upper body clothing
- Wear thin layers on your lower body to improve comfort and warmth
- Take advantage of winterized riding boots
- Accessorize with a neck gator
Helmets vs. Hats
If you’ve been on one of our Horseback Trail Rides before, you know that we always offer helmets for riders. You might think helmets aren’t suitable for horseback riding in the winter since they have air vents in them. However, if you ask anyone who’s a skier, they will tell you those little vents don’t let out much heat. So, should you wear a hat or a helmet? The choice is yours, but a helmet will keep you warm just as well as a cap, except for the ears. Bring some ear muffs if you opt-in for the helmet or a tight hat to wear underneath.
The Upper Body
You’ve got your thermal layer, your long sleeve shirt, your sweater, and your hoodie. You’re all set, right? Not quite, but not for the reasons you might think! The cold is one thing, but the wind is what will really get you on a horseback ride. And if snow falls and you get wet, it can become dangerous! So, regardless of what you wear as a base layer, make sure to bring a high quality wind-proof jacket that is water resistant if you want to remain warm.
(P.S., helmets will also protect from wind, but your hat won’t).
The Lower Half
So you’re all bundled up like your mother dressed you for a walk to school in the cold. Unfortunately, all that extra material on your legs could lead to one uncomfortable ride! It’s better to dress in some thin layers. If you run cold, we recommend wearing two pairs of thermal leggings and your pants. The air pockets between the fabric will keep you warm. Remember: wind-proof is cold proof! Layers will be your friend when it comes to horseback riding in the winter.
Winter Riding Boots
In general, the main thing in winter is to wear WATERPROOF footwear. If you think you’ll be on a horse and your feet won’t get wet, don’t forget about the time spent walking in the parking lot and out to your horse. And if you go into the office between getting out of your car and riding your horse, then any accumulated snow is going to melt. Then it will freeze again when you go outside. A pair of fuzzy socks and some rain boots will work just fine. Please remember though, if your boots are too wide at the toe, your feet won’t fit in the stirrups, and you’ll have to change your shoes before you go on your ride.
The Accessories
Although these can be a winter staple, leave the long scarves at home. They could easily get caught on something. It would be better to wear a neck gator to cover up that cold spot right above your coat. As for gloves, you’ll need dexterity to hold onto the reigns and saddle, so don’t wear gloves that are too chunky and we advise against mittens.
Beyond that, doubling up on gloves with a fingerless pair underneath is a good idea…. how else will you take photos with your phone?! And finally, don’t forget sunglasses. That snow can be real bright!
Although the rides are only 45 minutes to an hour long, that can seem like forever if you’re freezing! Follow the tips above, and you can enjoy all nature has to offer in the winter atop a horse in maximum comfort. Check out our other blog post, What to Wear Horseback Riding: A Guide for Beginners if you’re going horseback riding outside of the winter season.
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