[AndreaSctlnd]

Hi all, I live in Northwest PA up near Erie. I don't know if anyone knows where that is or not but we live in the snow belt. We get more snow than summer so riding in the cold/snow. Now I could pay to go to an indoor arena but I have never been a big fan of just going in circles. Dee (my mare) has never been ridden in an arena, she is pretty much a trail horse.

So, I just wondered what kind of boots and things anyone would suggest.

 

[COWCHICK77]

Don't know if you ride western or english, but I love my Schnee snow pac boots. They are very warm but they are big so you need oversized stirrups. When its not too bad I wear Muck Boots with wool socks.

I also love wool, I have wool sweaters, socks and gloves. I buy the wool army golves and double them, or I have Alyeska wool gloves that have cut off fingers and a mitten flap. Wool stays warm even if it gets wet where as cotton gets very cold.

For long underwear I like silk or under armor. It wicks away moisture and and not as bulky as traditional cotton long underwear.

I like a quality down coat, they are warm and lightweight. I think I bought mine out of Cabelas. Don't buy one of the cheap $29 ones that you see in some stores, they ususally don't breathe. Or I will wear a wool coat, I have an old Pendleton hunting coat, but thinking of buying a Filson.

Hope that helps!
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[walkinthewalk]

Hi all, I live in Northwest PA up near Erie. I don't know if anyone knows where that is or not but we live in the snow belt. We get more snow than summer so riding in the cold/snow. Now I could pay to go to an indoor arena but I have never been a big fan of just going in circles. Dee (my mare) has never been ridden in an arena, she is pretty much a trail horse.

So, I just wondered what kind of boots and things anyone would suggest.

I'll bet you're near Edinboro. My home was in Mercer, PA for many many years. That "Lake Effect" bone chilling winter weather and not much pure sunshine in the summer is precisely why I retired to Middle Tennessee

Could your checkbook handle investing in battery operated socks and gloves? That would be my first best suggestion. Core Heat, Warranty and Information - Gerbing's Heated Clothing They have some gloves that appear thin enough to hold the reins in.

With battery operated socks, you could buy any sort of boot you wanted that would be comfortable with those types of socks. Cabelas sells them. Cabela's: Search Results

I used to save up my No-Nonsense pantyhose with the runs in them for wearing under my jeans to snowmobile and trail ride.

However, there's a really comfy riding pant that's been around a few years that you might want to look at. Home

I have two pair of the "RTR's". One pair I wear shopping all the time, they are so comfortable. I can attest that the two inch waist band does not roll. I love the little zipper pockets in the top portion of the legs; great for a cell phone or to stick money/credit card/driver's license when making a quick trip to the store.

I have summer weights, which are plenty warm for southern Middle Tennessee winter riding, plus I stay warm easier than most folks.

Hope this helps a little

 

[Country Woman]

to protect my legs from the cold I wear a pair of my daughter's figure skating
tights

 

[Mellow Mel]

I just bought a pair of those insulated bib overalls that a lot of people use for work outdoors. Carhartt and a few others make them. They are the best. I rode today in them and needed nothing but my jeans and then those overalls.
I wear a few layers of shirts...and a good down coat. I am still working on a good pair of gloves as my fingers froze.
I wear a pair of socks...put toe warmers on those and then cover those up with wool socks and wear my riding boots.
We were only out about an hour and a half and that was more than enough!

 

[Koolio]

We get about 6 months of winter here too. To keep warm, I have a pair of tall Ariat winter riding boots that are amazing. They are warmer than my day to day winter boots and incredibly comfortable. Good thermal underclothes also make a huge difference in staying warm. When the weather is moderate and not too windy, I wear fleece lined riding pants or fleece lined jeans. When it is colder, I layer up with a pair of pull on snow pants as well. I have given up on equestrian gloves made for the cold and use light weight snowboarding gloves instead. Even though they are "poofy" they are still very light weight and easy to hold the reins with. I also keep a second pair inside my jacket next to my body when riding so when my hands do get cold, I switch them out. As for a coat, down is excellent, but I use a hip length textile coat I purchased from an outdoor equipment store about 15 years ago. I have an older helmet that is a little large for me that I save for winter riding because I can fit a bella clava under neath it. This way, I can keep my head, ears and face reasonably warm and still protect my noggin.

Dressing for the cold is a challenge, but once you have a decent system worked out it makes winter riding much more enjoyable.

 

[waresbear]

I use old ski/snowboarding stuff. Uber warm and who cares if it's out of fashion, my horse doesn't. Also means I get new stuff for the mountain, hehe.

 

[Joe4d]

Now is the time to shop for winter gear.
Check out Cabelas, I bought a fleece lined, gortex lined 100% waterproof, soft shell but briar proof shell coat for $34.99. Regular about $149. Its in the most god awful dayglow orange you can imagine. But it is warm, lightweight, breaths, tough, and waterproof. For footwear Dover ssaddelry had mountain horse rimfrost boots on sale, for $89 I think. Get some insulated work mechanics gloves from Lowes or Home depot. They arnt real bulky. today is was drizzly and 31 degrees I wore silk longjons under rain proof jeans I also got from cabelas.

I love these, a bit heavier than normal jeans but not much, no liner.
Cabela's: MWG Rain Breaker Denim Jean

coats, this is a great deal on a great coat. Cabela's: A.G.O. Blaze Parka

 

[Golden Horse]

I love the cold weather gear for Boink Equestrian I have two pairs of their riding skins and I LOVE them, they are on their 4th year now and still going strong and I wear them nearly every day. Their fleece tops are great as well, and as a bonus they currently have a 50% of sale so check them out

 

[AndreaSctlnd]

Thanks guys. I will have to go look. I just don't want to feel like the sta-puff marshmallow man!

Walkinthewalk...I am actually a bit farther southwest of Edinboro. I am in Warren. Don't know if you had ever heard of that or not.

 

[walkinthewalk]

Walkinthewalk...I am actually a bit farther southwest of Edinboro. I am in Warren. Don't know if you had ever heard of that or not.

Once Upon A Time (starting when I was 15), we used to drive up to Warren County to watch the Kinzua Dam under construction. It was a wonderful way to spend Sundays, when we had extra gas money. We'd pack a cooler, throw it in the trunk of the car which, in those days, was bigger than a college dorm and off we'd go to the mountains

I can still envision all the heavy construction equipment looking like Tonka toys at the bottom; just before the dam was finished and ready to be filled with water

 

[AndreaSctlnd]

Once Upon A Time (starting when I was 15), we used to drive up to Warren County to watch the Kinzua Dam under construction. It was a wonderful way to spend Sundays, when we had extra gas money. We'd pack a cooler, throw it in the trunk of the car which, in those days, was bigger than a college dorm and off we'd go to the mountains

I can still envision all the heavy construction equipment looking like Tonka toys at the bottom; just before the dam was finished and ready to be filled with water

Wow, that would have been something! My mum used to tell me stories of before the dam and the little town of Kinzua. From what I have read and heard, it was quite the controversy! I can't say as I disagree with it either. I feel sorry for the native people who were always promised so much and then made to move.

I do have to say, it is a beautiful area where we live.