What kind of shoes should you ride in?
If you have ever ridden a horse, at least once, you have probably heard that you should ride in shoes that have a heel. This does not mean, however, that any shoes with heels are good for riding. When riding horses, you have to take into account possible risks and safety issues. Choosing the right shoes is one of the most important things that you can do.
There are certain types of shoes that are specifically made for riding, and there are multiple reasons why. In this article, we will look at what kind of shoes you should wear when you are riding.
What are the wrong kinds of shoes?
Before we look at the right kind of shoes for riding, let's look at the wrong kinds. If you are an avid rider and ride regularly, you surely already know that sneakers are a big no-no. Sneakers are among the unsafest shoes that you can use for riding. This is for a couple of reasons:
- Sneakers do not have a heel
- Sneakers can be too wide
If shoes do not have a heel, they can easily slide through your stirrup and your foot can get stuck. Also, sneakers come in different shapes and sizes, and they can be too wide. In this kind of instance, your sneaker could get stuck in the stirrup.
Another type of shoes you should never wear while riding is sandals. Though in the summertime it might be tempting to put on sandals when you go to the farm, sandals are extremely unsafe. Not only do they not have a heel and they can slide through the stirrups, but they also do not cover your toes. Though this might not seem like a big issue while riding, it is extremely unsafe while walking your horse or tacking him/her up. If your horse steps on your toes (especially when your toes aren't covered) your toes and foot might break.
What kind of shoes should I wear?
The only right kinds of shoes are the ones that are made for riding. For instance, tall riding boots. They protect your feet and calf, as well. The leather of the boot covers your leg up to your knee, which ensures that the stirrup leathers will not rub against your leg and cause pinching. Also, riding boots have a heel and they are slim enough that they will not get stuck in your stirrups.
Another choice is jodhpurs with half chaps. They are practical, as you can groom and tack with the shoes on and only zip up the half chaps before you mount. They are a softer option to tall riding boots, and often times, more inexpensive, too.
Remember safety stirrups
Making sure that your shoes are safe is not good enough alone. You should also always have safety stirrups that prevent your foot from getting stuck in the stirrups if you should fall.
For instance, Ophena magnetic safety stirrups feature a magnetic connection, open side, foot stopper, and Smart Attach system and they can make your riding experience more comfortable and safe.
Choosing the correct stirrups can have a big impact on your overall riding experience. At Ophena.com, you can find Ophena S and Ophena S Pro, our magnetic safety stirrups, as well as Ophena A, our non-magnetic safety stirrup.
Magnetic safety stirrups come with magnetic insoles that you will slip into your boots and you can experience the ease of keeping your foot in the stirrups. On the other hand, Ophena A is an excellent stirrups for all riders regardless of the discipline and their integrated dampening feature allows for a more flexible riding experience.
You can order safety stirrups online and receive Ophena S, Ophena S Pro or Ophena A directly to your mailbox.
