Category Horse riding gear

Everything you need for you and your horse to have a great riding experience. From saddles and leg boots to body protectors, riding boots, and helmets.

Horse riding gear

What Is the Difference Between a Jumping Saddle and a Dressage Saddle?

Picture of horse saddle being adjusted for dressage or jumping.

When it comes to saddles, form and function are intertwined. Different saddles are designed to help equestrians meet the goals of various disciplines. But what about English saddles? They all look alike. Is there a difference between Jumping and dressage…

Miles Henry

Horse riding gear

Best Paddock Boots: 7 Picks Ranked by a 30-Year Horse Owner

Most riders don’t start in tall boots — they start here. The right pair isn’t just about comfort — it directly affects your stability, safety, and how long you can stay in the saddle without fatigue. A good paddock boot…

Miles Henry

Cowboy boots, Horse riding gear

Can You Wear Chelsea Boots With Jeans? Yes — Here’s How to Do It Right

Picture of a woman wearing chelsea boots with jeans.

An equestrian friend bought a pair of Chelsea boots and wasn’t sure they were appropriate with jeans, so we looked into it. Short version: they are, and Chelsea boots have a longer history with horse people than most buyers realize.…

Miles Henry

Horse riding gear

Which English Stirrups Are Right for Your Riding Style?

Picture of a rider using English stirrups.

Maybe you’re buying your first pair of irons, your knees ache after lessons, or you’ve heard US Equestrian is cracking down on certain stirrups and you’re wondering if yours are still legal. The tack shop wall runs from plain steel…

Miles Henry

Horse riding gear

Riding Tights That Stay Put, Don’t Chafe, and Don’t Cost a Fortune

Picture of a woman wearing riding tights,

If you’ve ever ridden in regular gym leggings, you know how it goes. You slide around in the saddle, the inside seams rub your knees raw against the stirrup leathers, and by the end of the ride they’ve sagged halfway…

Miles Henry

Horse riding gear

How to Find a Western Saddle You’ll Enjoy Riding In

If you climb off your horse after a couple of hours on the trail with sore knees, a stiff back, or dry spots under your saddle, it’s worth checking your saddle fit and your riding position. And if you’re shopping,…

Miles Henry

Horse riding gear

Turn Your Messy Tack Room Into One That Actually Works for You

Every barn has one: the tack room where the saddles sit on overturned buckets, the bridles hang in a tangle on one nail, and you can’t find a hoof pick at five in the morning. A messy tack room wastes…

Miles Henry

Horse riding gear

Thinking About a Treeless Saddle? Read This Before You Buy

Maybe your saddle never seems to fit your horse right, or you’re tired of swinging a heavy Western saddle onto his back, and a treeless saddle looks like the fix. Then you start shopping and find saddles from about $200…

Miles Henry

Horse riding gear

Which Full-Seat Riding Breeches Are Worth Buying?

Picture of girl wearing riding breeches.

If your full seat riding breeches ride down every time you post or pinch at the waist by the end of a ride, you’re probably ready for a better pair. Every brand promises great grip and a flattering fit, but…

Miles Henry

Horse riding gear

How Much Is a Real Cowboy Hat? What It Costs and What’s Worth Buying

How much is a real cowboy hat, and how do you tell one from a costume-shop knockoff? It comes down to the material and how it’s built — straw vs felt, cheap vs expensive, and which one actually makes sense…

Miles Henry