I am on the search for a new pair of tall boots, & I need some help. My old boots were destroyed after they had to be cut off after an accident (not horse-related – I got in a car crash on the way home from the barn last Spring), so I definitely want something that zips up the back. I do Eventing & Jumpers, which traditionally calls for field boots, although I’ve ridden in dress boots in the past, so I really don’t care which kind I end up with, I just want them to fit.
My legs are really awkward to fit, & since I can’t afford to go custom, I’m trying to find something affordable that will at least fit somewhat decently. I have a size 9-9.5 foot & I’m 5’5 with pretty short legs (although my boots in the past have all been regular height), & right now, my right calf is 15.5” & my left is 15” (I think they were bigger when I was riding more regularly?), so I need something that comes in “Wide”. I’m big-boned, which means my lower leg is also wider than average, so boots that taper in too much at the ankle do not work for me.
I do all of my schooling now in paddock boots & half-chaps, so these boots will only be used for shows & hunter paces. I do not want to pay over $400, & the less-expensive they are, the better.
Please do NOT suggest Ariats – I have to go XW in order to compensate for the narrow ankle, which leaves them absolutely gaping open at the top. I’ve tried on all the Ariat field boots in my price range. They’re the only brand (minus the super cheap synthetic boots) that my local tack shop carries, so since they don’t work, I will most likely have to order something online.
I’ve heard people raving about Mountain Horse boots, so I ordered some a while back, but had to send them back. The “wide” size fit the lower part of my leg, but were HUGE on top – I could literally stick my entire fist inside. The tops also did odd things to my legs...I can’t really explain it, they just weren’t flattering & hit me in a weird spot. This is the style I tried -
Dover Saddlery | Ladies' Mountain Horse® Classic High Rider Dress Boot.
Does anyone know if different styles will fit differently through the calf? I was looking at this style as a possibility, since they don’t have the Spanish tops (which might eliminate the weirdness from the others), but I’m still concerned about them being too wide in the upper-calf. Any thoughts/experience with these boots?
Dover Saddlery | Mountain Horse Sportive High Rider II Tall Boots .
My old boots were some sort of Devon Aires – not exactly high-end, but they held up really well (I bought them 8 years ago, & rode in them quite heavily). They weren’t zip-ups, & I have no idea what model they were, but I know I got them in XW & could pretty much just step into them after they were broken-in, so they were obviously too big, but I made them work. I was looking at these, & thought if I got the W with the zippers, they might fit? Has anyone ridden in them?
Dover Saddlery | Camden Zip Back Field Boot .
I haven’t been in a show since 2005, & I have my first show since them coming up on March 26th. It’s just a small hunter/jumper schooling show (& I actually think I’ll be entering some Hunter classes for the first time ever, just to get my show legs back), so even though my trainer says I can get away with half-chaps, I’d REALLY like to actually dress the part & have some new tall boots by then.
I’ll probably update this thread if I find any other boots that I’d like opinions on.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me, or comments on the boots above?
My legs are really awkward to fit, & since I can’t afford to go custom, I’m trying to find something affordable that will at least fit somewhat decently. I have a size 9-9.5 foot & I’m 5’5 with pretty short legs (although my boots in the past have all been regular height), & right now, my right calf is 15.5” & my left is 15” (I think they were bigger when I was riding more regularly?), so I need something that comes in “Wide”. I’m big-boned, which means my lower leg is also wider than average, so boots that taper in too much at the ankle do not work for me.
I do all of my schooling now in paddock boots & half-chaps, so these boots will only be used for shows & hunter paces. I do not want to pay over $400, & the less-expensive they are, the better.
Please do NOT suggest Ariats – I have to go XW in order to compensate for the narrow ankle, which leaves them absolutely gaping open at the top. I’ve tried on all the Ariat field boots in my price range. They’re the only brand (minus the super cheap synthetic boots) that my local tack shop carries, so since they don’t work, I will most likely have to order something online.
I’ve heard people raving about Mountain Horse boots, so I ordered some a while back, but had to send them back. The “wide” size fit the lower part of my leg, but were HUGE on top – I could literally stick my entire fist inside. The tops also did odd things to my legs...I can’t really explain it, they just weren’t flattering & hit me in a weird spot. This is the style I tried -
Dover Saddlery | Ladies' Mountain Horse® Classic High Rider Dress Boot.
Does anyone know if different styles will fit differently through the calf? I was looking at this style as a possibility, since they don’t have the Spanish tops (which might eliminate the weirdness from the others), but I’m still concerned about them being too wide in the upper-calf. Any thoughts/experience with these boots?
Dover Saddlery | Mountain Horse Sportive High Rider II Tall Boots .
My old boots were some sort of Devon Aires – not exactly high-end, but they held up really well (I bought them 8 years ago, & rode in them quite heavily). They weren’t zip-ups, & I have no idea what model they were, but I know I got them in XW & could pretty much just step into them after they were broken-in, so they were obviously too big, but I made them work. I was looking at these, & thought if I got the W with the zippers, they might fit? Has anyone ridden in them?
Dover Saddlery | Camden Zip Back Field Boot .
I haven’t been in a show since 2005, & I have my first show since them coming up on March 26th. It’s just a small hunter/jumper schooling show (& I actually think I’ll be entering some Hunter classes for the first time ever, just to get my show legs back), so even though my trainer says I can get away with half-chaps, I’d REALLY like to actually dress the part & have some new tall boots by then.
I’ll probably update this thread if I find any other boots that I’d like opinions on.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me, or comments on the boots above?