Horse riding boots are generally considered to be more of a fashion statement than a requirement in comparison with other horse riding apparel. However, traditional horse riding boots were designed keeping various aspects of horse riding in mind.
Traditional boots had certain characteristics that ensured safety. High heels, typical of most cowboy style boots, help in holding the foot in the stirrup. Heels prevent the foot from slipping and therefore ensure that the rider stays in the saddle. The pointed toe of the boots ensures that they can be inserted in the stirrup with ease. Almost knee high, the traditional boots also ensured that the rider’s legs were not pinched or chaffed by the saddle. These were almost always made from cowhide though more exotic hides like elk, alligator, snake, ostrich and elephant are being used now. The tall shaft of the boots ensured that the they were held in place while the loose fitting and absence of lace ensured that the boots would come off in the event of a fall. It is important that the boots come off easily because, if they do not, the rider can be dragged along by a frenzied horse if he or she gets unseated for some reason.
Though the design for horse riding boots that is accepted as standard has changed with the heel becoming shorter and rounded and squared toes coming into the market, the basic levels of safety are still kept in mind while manufacturing the various kinds.
The main types of boots that are considered by horse riders today are field boots, hunt boots, dressage boots and paddock boots. Each of these has their own characteristics and has adopted some aspects of the traditional boot.
