subject: Why Equestrian Legwear Is A Very Important Safety Element [print this page] Why Equestrian Legwear Is A Very Important Safety Element
Whenever we go horse riding, the lower part of our body is especially vulnerable, so there are a number of different choices to help us protect ourselves. Over the centuries, equestrian legwear has been developed a lot and the options we see today are definitely based on functionality and what we actually need. Sometimes we ride just for pleasure and other times we intend to compete, but in the old days people took to horseback because they had to, either to get their next meal or to fight off their enemies!Chaps, derived from the Spanish term chaparejas, were originally designed to protect the rider's legs from the inevitable rough terrain, brush and what has become known in North America as chaparral. In recognition of the fact that the horse was also somewhat vulnerable to these dangers, the original chaps would often be a very large piece of leather that would be attached to the saddle and would protect the horse as well as the rider's legs.Over time, chaps have been designed and produced for a variety of different purposes. You can select them according to your preference alone, or according to whatever type of horse riding activity you are engaged in. For example, rodeo riders can be instantly recognised due to the batwing chaps that they favour. These have a very close cut when it comes to the section from the knee to hip, but an open design beneath, for functionality in the rather frenetic rodeo environment.Half chaps have developed as a means of providing additional protection for those riders who select short boots. The half chaps can be attached to the short boots and give the impression that the boots themselves are long. For riders who choose short boots, these half chaps can provide that additional level of protection when out riding on the trail, for example.Woolly chaps are also familiar to most of us who like to watch some of those Western films, where riders were suitably decked out with chaps covered with goat hair, to protect them from extremes of cold.While shotgun chaps are very functional and "show" chaps are specifically made for use in horse shows or formal events, they all have one thing in common. The actual leg protectors are attached to a belt and there is no protection or coverage in the crotch or seat areas.Here's a trivia question. Did you know why chaps often feature fringes along the edges? While today this is more for show than anything else, in the early days of horse riding (when everything had to have a function) the fringe would act as a collection point for excess water during rainstorms. It would be far easier to get rid of this moisture and to allow it to evaporate rather quickly as the fringe blew freely away from the rest of the clothing.While you might not come across any prickly bushes or chaparral when you are out riding, chaps can still give you that extra element of protection for your legs, helping you to avoid fatigue when riding for extended periods of time.
