Dress properly as a rider

Riders and horse owners spend a great deal of time in the stable and can probably come to the conclusion that the worst thing is that they have either dressed too cold and start to freeze or have dressed too hot and start sweating. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to manage to dress "just fine" - but there are actually some tricks that can help you!

If you become sweaty and the garment you wear closest to the body becomes moist then you will start to freeze. In short, it is therefore about that; if you stay dry, you will not freeze. But it's not always as easy as it sounds! Many garments made for us riders are (unfortunately) made of cotton. Cotton is a material that is expert at absorbing moisture - and as mentioned above, if you get wet you will start to freeze. You should therefore avoid cotton garments so as not to freeze. A good habit is to dress according to the layered principle - that is, to dress in several layers to have the opportunity to dress on and off you so as not to get too hot or too cold. It is also important to consider what material the garments you wear are made of, especially the garments closest to your body.

Layer 1 - Closest to the body
Closest to the body, it is good to have a material that, depending on temperature and how much you as a person sweat, either keeps you warm or carries away moisture. If you are going to train with your horse and know that you will get warm then a layer 1 in a functional material is a good idea as it is good at transporting moisture away. If it is winter and you freeze easily then a garment in wool is suitable as it is a material that is good at keeping warm.

Layer 2
Layer 2 is a garment that should at best help transport moisture away from layer 1, while ensuring that the heat does not leave your body. This is the layer that, depending on the season, can be varied in both thickness and material - maybe it is cold winter and a down jacket is necessary, or it is summer and only a thinner sweater is necessary. Suitable materials are garments made of synthetic material or wool and if it is very cold then a recommendation is to have double layers - that is to add a layer 3 so that you have the opportunity to remove a layer if it gets too hot.

Outerwear / Outer layer
Above layer 1 and layer 2, it is good to have an outer garment that protects against the weather and wind. There are the outer garments that are longer and go down the thighs, or garments that go to the waist. Here, too, it is about dressing for today's weather and knowing if you can easily get cold or warm. It can also be good to think of things such as that the outer garment actually protects and / or warms the waist, wrists and neck. Also, the garment has good pockets that can be opened even with the mittens on.

Don't forget the rest of the body!
Then it is important to remember that all riders are different and easier to start freezing on different parts of the body. Some people always freeze on their hands, others on their feet or thighs. It is therefore important to take this into account and dress for yourself and your body. Some people can survive a winter in thin riding socks in cotton without freezing - while other people need to have a woolen sock and lined winter riding boots to make it not feel like the toes are falling off. Don't forget to wear a hat, warm gloves, warm socks and good shoes. Get to know your body and get dressed properly so you don't have to freeze or sweat!

Below you will find tips on good and practical garments that can facilitate everyday life in the stable: