A question about boots and chaps for english....?

I recently purchased these boots: http://www.horse.com/products/sku-ERA17....


because my old ones were falling apart and I needed cheap, new riding boots. Now I am a bit afraid to ride in them because they are a brand called Peris or something and on the botton before the heel, they have a hard material (plastic I think) that looks like wood, but is only a thin layer because on the side there is rubber. Is that good or bad to have that hard layer on your boot?


For Christmas or when I save my money, I%26#039;d like to get a better pair of boots in the $150 and lower range. As of now I am a beginner/intermediate range in my riding skills and the highest I will be jumping is 2%26#039;6%26quot; and I ride about three days a week. I would prefer synthetic leather, but real leather is good also. Is there any boots you recomend that are really nice and durable for getting wet and doing schooling/4h shows in?





Also I have more about chaps below...

A question about boots and chaps for english....?
I%26#039;m a fan of Ariat boots as well. I%26#039;ve had a couple pairs, one of which I%26#039;ve had for several years, and plan on buying a new pair soon... not because the old ones wore out, but because my feet grew about a half size last year and the old ones don%26#039;t fit me anymore. They%26#039;re durable, incredibly comfortable, and neither my paddock boots or ropers needed to be broken in at all, they were just as comfortable brand new as they are now. My paddock boots have been through some horrible rainy seasons (we had a couple summers where the majority of the pastures and arean were flooded for months.) I didn%26#039;t take proper care of them, so the leather%26#039;s a bit stiff and beat up looking now, but otherwise they%26#039;re still great.





Ariat makes some really pretty half chaps also... never tried them myself but they look very comfy and stylish.
Reply:I LOVE Ariats, both tall and paddock. They are comfortable, and virtually indestructable. Everyone in my barn wears them!
Reply:My daughter wears the Peris boots - same ones you linked to. She%26#039;s had three pair now and refuses to train in anything else.





I did get her to buy a pair of Ariat Terrains for the trail riding and basic ranch days - but when it comes to training and hunter/jumper she must have them Peris paddocks.








As for Chaps, her%26#039;s are the ones from stateline with the little pony on them - they have lasted 2 years sofar.


I wear SHIRE half chaps and love them but for $89 they aren%26#039;t as good of quality as my daughters $30 pair.





We have had both velcro and zip. The velcro collects lint and stops working, but they are nice for multipal use like in schooling barn. The zip you need to be sure fit securely.





Our personal prefference are the zipper half chaps
Reply:Those nubs on the boots are called spur rests, dont worry about those they will do no harm.


I reccomend Ariat paddock boots. I have had mine for 7+ years and they are still going strong. As far as show half chaps I use the Ariat half chaps that have the leather on the outside and the suede on the inside. I got mine on e-bay for $60 but they retail for $100.
Reply:I would go with Ariat paddocl boots (zip up) and ariat chaps. They are both only about $100.
Reply:I go by the rule that you get what you pay for most of the time with horse products, be it saddles, bridles, breeches, etc. Especially when you are talking boots...if you get quality leather boots and half chaps, they will last you a long time - much longer than any synthetic will. I always just wear some tennis shoes or muck boots to clean stalls and such and only ride in my boots to keep them from getting nasty. Like a lot of posters recommended, I also like Ariat paddocks...I have the Heritage II zip paddock boot(around $100) and they are nice, but get a 1/2 size larger than you usually wear. I also have the Ariat All Around half chaps(around $90) and they are very nice and will stand up to a lot of use.





Oh, and I think the other thing you are describing is a spur rest and most boots, both paddock and tall, should have them.





As for showing, you are going to present a much more polished look if you get tall boots. There are so many different types of field boots that you can find affordable ones that fit well. I got a nice pair of Ariat field boots on clearance for around $150. And back zippers are a blessing for fitting/pulling on problems! If you ever want to show outside of what you are doing now, you must have tall boots because many places will not allow you to show without them. It%26#039;s just a part of the sport(and yes it can be fairly expensive) to be properly attired and show your respect for the judge, the sport, and the horse by being properly turned out when you show.
Reply:I like Ariats (around $150) for both riding and working in because they are comfy and the metal arch is good for your feet. Those boots you already have look fine and should be ok for what you need until Christmas.


As for chaps, I%26#039;ve always had mine custom made especially half chaps so that they fit well but some from Stateline or Valley Vet would work just fine. You don%26#039;t have to break the bank.
Reply:Dublin leather jodhpur boots, they are awesome, also Jackson Leggings for chaps, the combination goes well.
Reply:What is it about synthetic that makes you want that instead of leather?





I%26#039;ve had the same pair of paddock boots for 4 years and they%26#039;re leather. Its about care and cleaning.





Synthetic does not conform to the foot like leather does so you will never get a good fit from a synthetic boot.





Someone else said If you invest in a good pair of tall boots you won%26#039;t have to buy halfchaps-- this is VERY True. Also its completely against ettiquette to show in half chaps. That%26#039;s a no-no.


If you plan on showing (even schooling shows) then you will need tall boots (unless you%26#039;re doing young hunters, where paddock boots and leg bands are ok as a novice.)








If you%26#039;ve already paid for and recieved these boots, then you should goahead and break them in by wearing them around the house, etc, before you try to ride in them. (nasty blisters otherwise!) If you can, I%26#039;d send the boots back and spend a bit more on a nicer pair that is real leather.





I think you%26#039;ll be a bit happier in the long run!





Schooling/practicing in halfchaps is 100% ok. But invest in some tall boots to show in.








***


You said that yoru boots smell after you use them for barn work- this will happen to both leather AND Synthetic if you don%26#039;t take care of them.





And yes, you CAN get leather wet. I don%26#039;t know who told you all this nonsense.





You should pre-treat all ofyour leather with a water conditioner prior to use. And just like a saddle or bridle, you should wipe down your boots with a rag after every use. This will keep them lasting longer, make the leather supple, and it wipes away any %26#039;smells%26#039; that you don%26#039;t want.





I can promise you that my boots, again VERY old, have been wet, mucked on, poo%26#039;d on, pee%26#039;d on, puked on by dogs, etc, and b/c they are rinsed and wiped off after every use, they are still fine.


I paid $100 for my ariats, but they are an investment. They last for 4-8 years as other people have mentioned. So consider that a $25 pair of boots each year-- this is STILL cheaper than your synthetics which will have to be replaced yearly b/c they are poor quality.





A good pair of boots is the difference between a bruise and a broken toe. A good pair of boots is the lifeblood of a good horsewoman. You can walk miles, chase a horse, muck stalls, clean tack, squat, bend, kneel, run, jump, skip, you name it in a good pair of boots.





Regarding your show conditions, I really hope that you understand this is NOT acceptable in the real horse world. I have NEVER been to a barn where it is acceptable to show in pajamas. That is 100% disrespectful to the judge and to your competitors. If you were my student and that happened, we%26#039;d have a long talk about why you want to show.





Showing is turning yourself out and your horse out at your best. Not your half-hearted attempt. It is not an attempt to show off but *maybe* getting around to taking a shower that day.





4 h shows prepare the rider and horse for how to work in a larger more %26#039;rated%26#039; show environment. Schooling shows are %26#039;practice%26#039; for you and your horse before you go to larger shows. These are SHOWS and you should turn yourself out in nice, refined attire.





I may not always wear a shirt and jacket, but I show up in a nice polo, clean britches, and polished tall boots. My horse may not be braided every time, but he is neat, tidy, and well groomed and he presents himself well to the judge.





Boots do not have to be synthetic to present yourself nicely to the judge, but showing in half-chaps is considered rude and disrespectful. Again, if you aren%26#039;t interested in tall boots, look into leg straps (hunters equitation only) but these are not acceptable beyond novice.





If you plan on ever showing outside of your immediate circle where this behavior is acceptable (I promise you that its not acceptable elsewhere) then you WILL need to invest in a pair of tall boots. Or convert to western. Those are your options.





A good pair of tall boots will fit your correctly and whatever %26#039;issues%26#039; you have with them will be gone. I still have my first pair of tall boots which are almost 10 years old now. They still are excellent for show and I clean them after each use. They are going great and fit like a glove. Again, $500 but an investment piece that has lasted quite a while.





You don%26#039;t have to spend $500 on tall boots or even $150. Andyou don%26#039;t have to spend $100 on paddock boots. But you do need to spend a bit more on something that is safe and will last you more than a few months.





You also have to understand that if you REALLY Want to show, then you need to understand that there are required dress codes. Maybe your immediate show circle is very lax and doesn%26#039;t enforce these things, but the minute you get a guest judge or you travel to another show, you will be subject to the show rules of normal horse society.


We%26#039;re not snotty, we just like to be respected. And riding in pajamas, using your example, is not respectful of me (as a judge) or my experience, my wisdom, my opinion, or the TIME I took to be there to judge you. *shrug*
Reply:As long as you are comfortable when you ride and that your boots and chaps allow you proper movement (they don%26#039;t hinder your movement in other words) ride in what you want to!





As for fit on the boots, I%26#039;ve found through the years that if you soak them in hot water for about 10 minutes, then wear them immediately and all day long until they dry, they will mold to your leg. Sounds wild but it works every time (until such time you can afford real hand made boots).





There are tons of boots in your price range, it is most important for you to get to a large tack store and try them on for fit. As for your current boots, if they are stiff in the ankle, keep working this area with a good boot cream with a lanolin base and they will soften up in time. Make sure that you always keep boot forms in them when you are finished with them for the day, this will keep them from collapsing and causing blisters later on.
Reply:If you use tall boots, you can eliminate the need for half chaps!



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