[Winter Riding] Keeping Warm When Riding in Winter

"At home, before I take the 4.15PM bus to my barn, I don’t usually think much about keeping warm for my riding class later. After all, I just want get out to ride and take care of the horses. But as soon I’m freezing at the ring or field, I lament a lot about how I should have gotten dressed to keep warm. And no matter what I do, every attempt ends in vain. In this article I’m going to sum up all the points that have succeeded for others, however, and you might just stay warm this winter season.

"Let’s start from the inner layers to the outer layers. First of all, I always wear a pair of tights, usually black, and over that, a pair of long johns. But if your riding pants are tight-fitting jodhpurs, I'd recommend just sticking to the tights. If I could I’d wear a snowsuit, but I might have problems riding in them. Maybe I’ll invent some when I grow up…

"Anyway, I then put plastic bags over my feet. I don’t know what it does, but my riding teacher prescribed it to me and it works. The only problem is finding bags big enough to cover your feet. Over that, two, or perhaps three layers of socks. And not the thin, dinky kind that can hardly keep a squirrel’s tail warm. I mean thick, bulky, sport socks. (Ever needed a good reason to get boots a few sizes bigger so you won’t outgrow them? Here’s one!)

"And over that I put another plastic bag! It does seem a little extreme, maybe, but I, for one, need all the warmth on my feet I can get. And last of all, you put on your boots (of course). I’d recommend, if you have paddock boots, to pull the breeches or jodhpurs all the way down, sliding the breeches under your paddock boots. And if possible, to put on elastic stirrups, then pull socks over the top of the paddock boots. This keeps cold and water out.

"For your upper body I can’t really say much. Long johns, undershirts, then a turtleneck, perhaps. I for one don’t like turtlenecks, but they keep me so much warmer when I ride. Over that, a sweatshirt, then a bulky coat. If possible, a hot water bottle feels wonderful dropped inside your coat.

"For your head, you need an ear cover. I know that they’re not the most pleasant things to wear, but it’s very important to keep your head warm, as you probably already know. I'd recommend one that covers the top of your head, most of your face (be sure you can see out of it, though) and pulls down over your neck. Pull it down as far as possible, and then yank the coat over that. Like your feet, this keeps cold and water out. Of course, you have your helmet to place over this, and, from experience, the velvet covered ones are the warmest. If you don’t have them, though, plain, thick helmet covers are an excellent substitute.

"On your hands, you have to wear gloves! I wear the knit gloves as one layer, but over that, I wear thick, well-insulated gloves. The brand named Mountain Horse is a reliable choice. Pull the gloves over the cuffs of your coat, too, to keep out the cold and water."

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