So am I the only one...?

...that doesn't go out and buy specal riding clothes? I don't show, but I don't buy special clothes specifically for riding even though I'm out there every day. Am I the only one that's ever ridden in combat boots and camo pants, or what? It seems like so many non-show people are buying expensive clothes to fit in with either the Western or English crowd. And I'm serious, here's a pic: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cf...

So am I the only one...?
When I ride, I do wear breeches, riding boots, %26amp; half chaps, but I wear them because they are comfortable to me.





the breeches I have I got from a barn sale for $5.00, the half chaps I traded a beaded browband that I made for, %26amp; the riding boots were a birthday present.





I would CHOKE before I would pay some of the prices out there for riding clothes. It's so ridiculous, just because something is associated to horses, the shops jack up the prices, like quadruple what they should be. (An exaggeration, I know, but it seems like it!)
Reply:well i dont' i think i have 3 pairs of english riding pants lol. because i do not show right now.
Reply:I don't like riding in the clothing that is offered for western or English riding.


I do ride in jeans, sweat pants, and I have ridden in my pj's too.
Reply:My special riding clothes are Stretch jeans and I try to wear darker tops since I found that Muck splattered up the back of a light colored shirt doesn't want to come clean. I like to be comfy and get out of the arena and ride most of the time in the back 88 acres. I happen to be at a barn where most of them dress like me (comfy), but there are those that feel the need to "Look" like they're at a show at all times... I also always wear shorts (not too short LOL) on hot summer days and noticed that more of them are wearing shorts this year. Hee -Hee... To me, it's all about comfort and having fun without worrying about ruining my Good clothes..


Oh yeah ~ tennis shoes in summer and Ariat ankle boots in the winter.....
Reply:I know what you mean! Haha, some of those pictures look like what I used to wear - green cargos, my stomping boots and tank tops. Everyone at my farm rides in breeches and polos or whatever. After my cargo phase, I rode in breeches, tall boots and baggy t-shirts. Now, I've found that I'm most comfortable wearing jeans, my half chaps, and paddock boots. I just don't like the clinging breeches that show panty lines (yeah, I'm not riding my horse in a thong or commando!). Plus when you get hot, they just stick even tighter. When I get off and take off the half chaps, my jeans fan out and they're easy to flip up and it just feels amazing. In the winter I trade the paddock boots for my mountain boots though, haha. Everyone at my farm just looks at me like I'm crazy. Could be because I also ride dressage in jeans (heaven forbid). I used to ride without gloves, but my instructor got on me about that so now I can't ride without them or I get blisters. If I take a lesson, I better be riding breeches though. My instructor (who owns the farm) thinks it's more professional if you wear breeches and seems like you're more serious. God forbid the student who doesn't braid their horses mane to a schooling show! I love Sue though, she's an amazing instructor and a dressage queen. She jokes with me about my jeans whenever she sees me riding outside of lessons. I also have a gray QH pony, so we ride around all scruffy, her mane long and fuzzy ears and whiskers - then we turn around a polish up for dressage shows, people have trouble recognizing us. Ah, it's amazing!
Reply:No, I don't. I do live on a farm/ranch though, so I really never had to buy special clothes to fit in with the western crowd, I was already there.
Reply:That's hilarious! Most of the time, I ride in sweats and my english riding boots (from when I used to take dressage lessons...they're just too comfy!). I'm sure I look like an idiot, but no one sees me on my own farm, and I wouldn't really care anyway.
Reply:I say it doesn't matter, especially if you don't ride for show. I got riding pants for horse lessons, but I hate them. They hug in all the wrong places and look horrible, not to mention that they're not very comfortable. Now that I ride only for pleasure, and usually with my friend, I tend to wear jeans.





For comforts sake, look for jeans that have a thin seam on the inside of the leg, rather than designer jeans with a hug double seam.





Don't ride barefoot, though. I go a nasty scratch on the top of my foot from the latch of a gate once. Especially bareback, the type of shoe doesn't really matter, but I still like to wear my riding boots (they're comfy). The reason for riding boots when you have a saddle is because they are made to not have traction on the sole of the foot, that way it makes it harder to get you're shoe stuck in the stirrup.





The only essential riding clothing is a helmet. Always wear a helmet, because even on a trustworthy horse, anything can happen, and its a long fall to the ground.





Other than that, have fun riding your horse! The horse certainly doesn't care what you wear!
Reply:thank you!!! horse people that aren't all stuffy. It's about how good you can ride not how expensive your gear is. Although getting used to jean rubs kinda hurts but heck your riding a horse your already on cloud nine, who cares about a lil rubbin. ;}
Reply:Jeans, tshirt and my Ariat's, thats my normal dress...I wouldnt be caught dead in cowboy boots...
Reply:the only thing i worry about having is riding boots but other then that i don't buy special clothes to just pleasure ride. i do do some english showing and for that i do buy special clothes but i don't go for the really expensive stuff like some people cause it will get dirty just as easily as the cheaper stuff and it all looks the same.
Reply:No you are not the only one.


I ride in what I wear most days.


I own a tree trimming company so I work in jeans and t-shirts.


That is what I ride in also.


Most times I wear a lace up western boot but I wear those anyway.
Reply:No, you aren't. The only purpose for having riding breeches is to have something to show in- I ride and do dressage in jeans all the time, and it's much more comfortable for me than wearing breeches. Plus, jeans are easier to keep clean, and they are FAR less expensive than breeches. Now, I know that some of the top people in the sport would berate me for not wearing breeches for schooling, but personally, I could care less what they think. If they want to torture themselves by wearing hot, sticky breeches when it's 90 degrees out, then that's their problem, not mine. I haven't ever ridden in combat boots- I was never in the service, so I've never owned or had access to them. As for camo pants, they are tough enough, all right, but they don't look to me as though they are all that comfortable to wear. I live in a military town, and there are a lot of service people around all the time who have to wear these things, but I can't imagine riding in one. There are a lot of people who don't show that buy breeches, etc, because they think that this is what is expected of them, or because they want to be fashionable in front of their peers. You are right- the horses could care less- it's all about the people.
Reply:Dam, you sound like my perfect riding partner! To heck with the rest of the "Wanna Be's" You look fine! I do understand your question though, reminds me of the guys that call theirselves cowboys, but there boots never been off the black top! Call me! LOL!
Reply:Nope you are not alone. I usually ride in jeans, T-shirts and sneakers (egads! I know you aren't supposed to but I keep my heels down so it is not a problem).





I live in Florida and in my younger days used to throw an old towel over his bare back and ride in shorts or a bathing suit and barefoot! The towel was just cause the sweat and hair made my legs itch.





I was shocked the first time I went to an English barn and everyone was wearing breeches and boots for everyday riding. I only had 1 pair and that was from my show days.





If you are comfy in what you wear I say go for it and screw the fashion police. THAT SAID - I do wear a helmet *half* the time now since I got thrown off onto my head. I'd say the is the only special gear I have bought lately.





And I don't do anything barefoot around horses any more.
Reply:my riding teacher hated it i ride in blue jeans a t-shirt and hiking boots hes always saying i should wear my riding boots at least but they are really uncomfortable so i don't.
Reply:I'm with you on that !


I have my short boots ( which I have also been known to go shopping or the pub in) but have also ridden in wellies or workboots and my leather half chaps that I've had forever. Gloves I got for Christmas and usually my jeans or a pair of jodhpurs that someone gave me cause they didn't fit her.


About the only things I consider essential are my hard hat and a reflective waistcoat thingy.


I also know a couple of professional riders who don't give a damn unless they are actually competing - you'd never think it was the same people !!
Reply:I get what you're saying, to me what matters most is an appropriate shoe (combat boots don't sound like the best idea)...you sure don't want to fall off and have your shoe (and thus entire foot) stuck in the stirrup!!! If you don't show, you don't need anything special as long as it's safe! And you don't want to "fit in" with the western or english crowd anyway...they all look like weirdos to non-horsey people.
Reply:No, I dont ride english......so i dont have to worry about riding in breeches or anything. But during the summer i ride in shorts bareback. I wear old jeans during the winter........when i use a saddle. I just ride for the fun of it rather than competitive.
Reply:No way, I cant afford that stuff lol.


I mean Ive got my boots in all, i love them But heck I'm a bar gin shopper last years style is in for me.


I always ride in pajama pants, old jeans whatever.





The distinction between good and riding clothes is just not there. Come home from school- go ride.





I dont have to pay money for pre-ripped jeans. I rip them riding or out on the farm, theres a story behind every rip lol.





No your not the only one, i show my horse and feel soo out sometimes i use hand me downs and totally out of style stuff sometimes, but hey i still win lol.
Reply:I ride with knee-high riding boots, and that's my only piece of "special" clothing. Otherwise I ride in jeans a lot and save my breeches for when I'm in competition. My shirts are all divided into "barn shirts" and "dress shirts" aka anything that will need dry-cleaning.





And yeah, everyone at my barn at home tells me I must be at least borderline crazy to ride dressage in jeans. What's the big deal? It's not like the horse cares.
Reply:most of the clothes that I wear is everyday wear for me. if you don't get anything else you a female needs to make you have good sports bra because if you sometimes you can sore and it not your behind that I am talking about.
Reply:no ur not i always wear my school trousers because i go up the yard after school. i do have my hat and boots and 2 pairs of jods/breeches but they are really comfy and the jods are cooler ones so dont get sticky in the hot weather ( yes british weather can be hot :) ) most of my clothes i wear down the yard are old t-shirts and jeans or school trousers and jods at the weekend. i used to do showing so have one pair of showing jods and 2 jackets 1 for hunter classes and 1 for showjumping my boots are used everyday now and i just used a blouse i wear for school for showing. and can i just say i dunno about in america but in england we all dont wear jodphurs all the time most of us wear jeans and yes its shocking trainers :o
Reply:your not alone the only expensive things i buy for myself are my boots which usually cost about $80 because they're work boot's. All my money goes to my horse feed and treats and all that funn stuff but the most expensive thing i have bought for him (other than feed) is his saddle and it only cost like 250 or sumthin like that
Reply:i don't. my mom doesn't. my friends don't. most of my mom's friends don't. a lot of people don't. my dad and brother don't either. of course i'm teaching my dad to ride. my mom teaches my brother since he does't listen to me. lol! i'm going to do 4-h jumping though so i'll probably get some special clothes for the shows! don' be intimidated by them and think you should go get special clothes. if you're not in shows or parades or somehting like that then don't even bother. it'll be a waste of money.
Reply:I agree with you. When I go riding, I go in whatever clothes I feel most comfortable in. The horse doesn't care what you're wearing, why should you? LOL
Reply:Nah. Any shoe with a heel works fine for me and I just throw on a pair of jeans. The only thing I bought just for riding is my helmet. You won't catch me in the saddle or bareback without it.


My trail riding gear for my horses is mixed up. Western nylon bridle and a dressage saddle. With a snaffle bit. Don't get stuck on this western/ english stuff. If you ride for your own pleasure, who cares what the horse or you are wearing as long as it works for you and you're happy.
Reply:No, when I ride I wear what's comfortable.





All the expensive clothes don't help you ride any better - the only thing I've ever purchased was a hard hat, and of course that's for saftey, not looks.
Reply:mostly you need to wear some sort of riding boots because they are more safe. if you get some decent ones they will be more comfortable
Reply:i had a pair of cammies once and they were absolutely the best pants to ride in. i would chose them over my jeans anyday.





the only thing i do buy special are my boots. i do a lot of trail riding and use a pair of H2O proof boots by Ariat. they have a rugged sole if i ever need to get off and walk it for a while.


other than that it is usually jeans and a t shirt or tank
Reply:I know exactly wh at you mean!!!!!!! seriosly. who wants to wear nice cloths while riding a horse! i have worn pj's while riding bareback several times.



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