3 Things to Remember When Buying Riding Boots

As a riding instructor, I’ve seen it all. I have had people arrive for their first lesson in running shoes, over the knee suede boots, fashion cowboy boots, and Doc Martins. Some of these, admittedly, I allow, and others, I require a change. In this article I’ll share with you the three things you need to consider when choosing your riding boots.

Riding boots are arguably one of the most important pieces of safety equipment you can have while riding a horse. Proper footwear, while it can be fashionable, can also save your toes if stepped on, and can even prevent you being dragged (yikes!) if you fall off your horse (though we hope that never happens, knock on wood).

So, if you’re in the market for a new pair of boots, whether english or western, here are some things to keep in mind.

English vs Western

Before we get into features of boots, we need to differentiate between a few different styles. While these often come down to preference, there is also a huge functional difference between the styles.

The first major difference is between english and western boots. English boots cover the calves to protect from thin, pinching stirrup leathers. Western boots, AKA cowboy boots, are shorter, usually going midway up the calf. Western riding boots, it is important to note, are different from what we call “dancing boots” or fashion western boots. Fashion boots are typically made of soft leather or pleather, while riding boots are made of sturdy, thick leather, and made for function over form.

Within the disciplines, there are various styles. English boots can be broken into tall boots, field boots, and paddock boots. Tall boots are, as they name suggests, tall. They go up the lower leg to just below the knee, and have a zipper along the back of the calf. Tall boots are typically worn in dressage. Field boots also go up to the knee, but have laces just on the top of the foot and ankle. These boots need to be pulled on with boot pulls and removed with a boot jack. Field boots are frequently worn in eventing and jumping disciplines. Finally, paddock boots only cover the ankle and either zip or lace. In kids under twelve years old these can be worn on their own. In adults and teens these need to be complimented with half chaps to protect the calves.

Western boots are sorted both by toe shape and shaft height. Toe types include square, pointy, and round. Shaft heights can be low (often called “fat baby”), mid, or high. These are largely up to your comfort and style preferences, however some disciplines have more common styles.

Okay, with that said, let’s get into the three things you need to think about.

1.Heel

It is critical for safety that your riding boots have approximately a two inch heel. The reason for this is that heels act a stop for your foot in the stirrup, preventing the foot from going through the stirrup and getting caught up. In the event that you were to fall off a horse with heel-less shoes, you would be at risk for being dragged. No fun. So, a two inch heel is a must.

2. Calf Protection

Stirrup leathers on an english saddle have been known to pinch calves, and fenders on a western saddle can become caught on too-low boots. That’s why at least mid to full calf coverage can make your ride significantly more comfortable. Additionally, calf coverage often means ankle protection, which can help keep your ankle stable in the stirrup.

3. Sturdy Toe (but not steel!)

A horse weighs 800-1200lbs. If your toes get stepped on it can be big trouble! This is so much weight that steel toes can bend, trapping your toe inside your boot. Therefore, it’s safer to have a sturdy leather toe, hold the steel.

With all of that information you should feel equipped to go choose your riding boots, and hopefully understand the reason behind the styles that have emerged in the horse world. If you want more help choosing riding gear for your child, check out this free guide where we cover everything from boots to helmets and everything in between.