Advice please re Half Chaps I need to get stop legs getting sore when horse riding?

Question

When horse riding which type of half chaps are most comfortable - leather, suede, canvas etc.

I've not had these before, but need to get some to stop my legs getting sore (just started riding! )

Answer 1

I don't think it matters what they are made of, just as long as they fit well and have plenty of elastic. I have suede ones and canvas ones, and they are both great. I've seen neoprene ones too that look really comfy, but haven't tried them.

Answer 2

I have leather but it really doesn't matter as long as they fit well.  If your getting rubbed so much that you need half chaps (over just jeans or breeches) something isn't quite right.  The leathers, strirup irons or saddle doesn't fit you right.  The purpose of half chaps is so that you don't get rubs on your calfs and so that you have a better grip on your saddle.  Some people have legs that slide around more if they wear jeans.  They won't make your actual leg hurt any less.  When your just starting your muscles are going to hurt and be sore because you're using them in a new and different way.  With time you'll build muscles and it'll be more of a natural feeling for you.  Your thigh hurts because it's supporting a straight upper body and your calf is hurting because you are pushing your heel down using your weight in the stirrup as a shock absorber.  I promise the soreness goes away with time and riding especially after you develope a balanced seat.  Good Luck.

Answer 3

I have suade...  I don't think it really matters.  if you get leather (or maybe the suade too) and they're too tall, it might bruise the back of your knees until they roll over a little (my tall boots did that), but when they break in they'll be fine.  The important thing is for them to fit well...  so if they're the right width and height, they should be fine, no matter the material.  I would think that the leather would be a little less comfortable than the suade because the leather ones that i looked at didn't have any stretchyness...  I really like mine (Ariat all around II half chaps) because they have a nice stretchy strip that have formed to my legs.  One thing about any half chaps...  if you don't wear tapered pants and you have to fold them over, you might get spots where they dig deeper into your legs...  usually it's ok, but sometimes it pinches...  i know because I wear flared pants even with my half chaps.  but for the most part I love my half chaps and wouldn't choose anything else.

Answer 4

I think I've cracked your code...when I first got married I used to slap some whale grease on my inner thighs in the mornings.  I can't quite close my legs completely now...but the pain has gone!!  Good luck!!!