Paddock shoes- shoes for riding
For those who find riding boots too uncomfortable or who do not yet want to invest in expensive boots, they can wear sturdy shoes for riding instead.
These shoes should fulfil the following conditions:
- The shoes should be firm and protect the feet from for example, the horse stepping on your foot
- The shoes should have a heel to prevent the foot from slipping through the stirrup
- The soles should be firm so that the pressure of the stirrup can be well distributed
- The shoes should not be too wide, so that the foot does not get stuck in the stirrup
- The shoes should go over the ankle to stabilise the ankle.
What makes the paddock shoe so special?
Riding paddock shoes are a casual and inexpensive alternative to the high riding boots. When combined with chaps or boot shafts made of leather, they also serve the same purpose as the classic riding boots.
Riding paddock shoes are available with laces, also with zipper or elastic inserts for easy slip-in. Of course there are also versions with inner lining or waterproof models to keep you warm and dry in winter. Riding paddock shoes are simply practical and above all versatile. While you were wearing them just a moment ago in dressage lessons, the next moment you jump off the horse and walk, more comfortably than in your high riding boots, across the paddock or muck out the stable.
What should you pay attention to when buying paddock shoes?
When buying riding paddock shoes, you should pay particular attention to an optimal fit and high wearing comfort, after all you want to spend many pleasant hours in the saddle with them.
In the long run, good quality, high-grade leather and careful workmanship always pay off. Also the fastening possibilities, with zipper, lacing or completely without are a criterion that you should consider according to your personal preferences in order to enjoy your riding boots as long as possible.
Last but not least, the look is also important, for example you can choose between brown or black leather and choose the riding boots to match the saddle or bridle.
Are riding paddock shoes also suitable for the winter?
Riding paddock shoes are a casual and affordable alternative to classic riding boots. For winter, you should pay attention to at least two points on your riding boots to get through the cold and wet season warm and dry.
- A warming inner lining, made of natural or artificial lambskin or other materials, ensures warm feet, whether in the saddle or in the stable.
- water repellent or waterproof outer material is also important to ensure that you walk through the winter with dry feet.
If these two criteria are met, you can easily get through the winter with your riding boots and can swing into the saddle with warm feet. If you want to ride without boots for a longer period of time, you can supplement the shoes with chaps. These leather pieces are strapped around the lower leg and protect against chafing when riding.
