Choosing Jodhpurs Wisely Will Increase Riding Pleasure

By Cornelia White


Correctly fitting outfits for riding can be a vital requisite of good deportment. Approved guidelines set recommended standards. But, problems can still develop in deciding what to wear. You should choose your jodhpurs correctly to make a fundamental difference in your equestrian experience.

There is a reason why special attire was designed for riding. As critical points of contact between the horse and its rider are made with riding pants, properly clothing makes a significant impact. Ordinary trousers caused discomfort. The form fitting design prevents twisting, chafing, and other problems causing discomfort.

Whether the activity is everyday hacking, cross country, show jumping and dressage, these specially designed pants are worn for the occasion. They are optimally designed for safety and comfort. Their seat is designed to provide a good grip in the saddle. Padded knees protect the knees and the seams are positioned to prevent rubbing.

First time riders are frequently puzzled by the distinction between jodhpurs and breeches. The former are tight fitting trousers that cover the entire length of the leg. They are made out of flexible and breathable material to be comfortable during the exercise. Typically made from stretch materials, they are designed to be comfortable and to fit closely. Different fabrics can be used in their manufacture. They can be worn with chaps and jodhpur boots or with long riding boots.

For competitions, leg positioning is more clearly seen by judges when riders wear jodhpurs. For this reason, trainers also recommend them for their student trainees. Closer observation is possible and students get better training, when they wear the right form of clothing.

Breeches are generally worn with knee size boots. These are shorter pants that end at mid calf length. There is more control at the ankle with this length. Seat patches give greater control to dressage riders and support their safety. Breeches with grips at the knees and padding are favored for show jumping.

The general public has no idea how complicated a seemingly straightforward decision about fabric may be. There are pros and cons with each possible market offering. As an example, consider how polyester is favored when durability and cost is taken into account. Yet, its slippery nature is not desirable. It also has poor absorbency and has no stretch characteristics that are valuable to riders. A blended fabric may improve absorbency, yet this does not improve the stretch quality of the material.

Optimal wear is provided by Cotton lycra. It is durable, absorbs and has a flexible stretch component. After deciding on the material, knee patch and underpass options need to be considered. For tighter grips, suede or ultra suede patches are suitable. Ultra suede is easier to manage and is cheaper than the real alternative. The underpass is a strap that ties down pants to fit them more closely with boots. Inadequate underpasses makes riders appear to be wearing short pants. Whether those with buttonholes are more suitable is up to individual wearers to determine. As this brief discussion reveals, choosing jodhpurs wisely is more complicated than it seems.




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