Boots: Lace Up or Pulling On

A Tip From Terri Jordan Horsemanship Foundation Horse Trainer. 

 
I see lots of people get caught up in style and comfort versus safety when deciding what boot to buy for horseback riding. 

Some of us pretty much live in our riding boots on a daily basis, so of course we want them to be comfortable.  But I want you to consider the safety differences between the lace up or the pull on options for boots.  Lets have a look...

The lace up boot, stylish and popular, can actually trap you if you come off of your horse.  Consequently dragging you until you can come free.  How so, you ask?  If your foot gets caught in the stirrup during an involuntary dismount, your laces will prevent your boot from coming off.  Try it, put your lace ups on as usual and then try to pull it off of your foot without loosening the laces.  Pretty hard isn't it? 

The pull on boot will slip off should your foot become hung up in the stirrup if you were to fall off of your horse.  You will be free of being dragged.  

If you are absolutely in love with your lace ups and aren't willing to buy pull on ype riding boots, you still have options.  You can purchase stirrups that will prevent you from being dragged.  Some of them have hinges that will open the stirrup up should you fall.  Some of them aren't a completely enclosed stirrup.  You can loosen your laces enough so your foot will slide out of the boot should you get hung up.  Or, I suppose, your other option is to take your chances.  

I used to only use lace up riding boots.  I thought it was pretty cool to have tassels and fringe hanging off the laces.  But then I learned about safety before style.  

Safety or style....which will you chose? 

I chose to ride safe, I hope you will too.

Terri at The Natural Gait