What are half chaps really for?

Question

ok, i was a western rider but i am switching to english. so what exactly are half chaps for?

i have heard that they give you more grip when you jump, they stop the saddle from pinching your legs and lots of other stuff. so what are they really for?

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

you put them over riding pants or jeans(im sure you know this lol) they make it so you can grip better with your leg and so the lethers do not pinch our leg. With just riding pants your leg slips very easly making it harder for you to stay on and can also give your horse a cue(sp) that you did not mean to. If you ride in just jeans you will prolly have the same issue as the riding pants. Also the jeans ride up when you ride causeing bare skin to be pinched by the lethers. Half chaps pervent all this form happening

Answer 2

The main reason that people wear them is to stop them from getting those nasty pinching bruises from the stirrup leathers.

As well as doing this they stop your jeans or whatever trousers you're wearing from twisting around your leg ( as that is really uncomfortable) If you're riding out then they will protect your leg from trees etc and they are easier and cheaper than long boots.

They are warm in the winter and, unlike long boots, you can actually feel the horse through them.

Answer 3

well i ride western and i were chaps and they protect your legs

Answer 4

If you ride a lot they also help you avoid saddle sores.... You can get nasty sores on your inner calves.

Answer 5

that the pinching gives your legs rashes i guess i dont about griping when jumping

Answer 6

I use them for griping, so my legs don't get pinched and I wear them when I wear shorts to ride.

hope this helps...please best answer this!

Answer 7

I don't really agree that they are a tall boot substitute because i LOVE half chaps, and truly hate tall boots. Half chaps help you grip your horse much better, while I find the tall boots are much harder to grip your horse with. I also like half chaps because like other people have stated they prevent rubbing of any kind, they also look better than just jods and paddock boots, and they keep the bottom of your jeans or jods from getting gross when your in muddy fields. They are handy to have when your riding, or just working around the barn.

Answer 8

yess better grip is mainly what i use them for. plus i cant stand riding in jeans and having the seam rubbing my leg. some people can do it, i guess its just one of those things i have haha.

so yeah grip and protection are the main reasons they are used but leather ones can be used in casual shows too :]

Answer 9

They are really for stopping the saddle from pinching your leg.  That's why a lot of English riders wear tall boots instead, because they cover your calves and then you don't have to wear the chaps.  They may give you some extra grip, but some of the leather used in chaps can be pretty slippery so that only works for certain chaps.

Answer 10

They are used instead of wearing a field boot when schooling and/or pleasure riding.  They give the look of a tall boot but are worn with paddock boots and either breeches, or jods.  I believe they are really meant to be worn with breeches since they don't go down all the way down the leg and you don't want to look doofy wearing short paddock boots with "flood pants" although I see boots with shorts (only at the barn is that acceptable attire)!!

The fact that people wear them over other pants and jeans do it to protect the leg and to provide some extra grip..but field boots don't provide much grip either.  

I think they were really made to make on and off easier than with tall boots all the time and for those that prefer to wear breeches vs jodphurs but still want to be proper.

***EDIT****

Dana-if they are not a substitute then can you wear them in the showring?  I don't go to many hunseat shows but I usually see field boots worn in my breeds huntseat classes.....perhaps it is different at a schooling type show because it is more casual.  I agree around the barn and casual riding is where people chose to wear half chaps over their tall boots...and I'm sure most riders have both to wear depending upon the occasion or as a "substitute" for one or the other.

Answer 11

well, they save your legs from getting pinched and rubbed (so not fun, i have some nasty scars from it), and some are grippy. like mine have suede on the inside of the calf, so they hold a bit better than tall boots.

Answer 12

Most people use half chaps over paddock boots as a substitute for tall boots.  Tall boots/chaps better protect your leg than just paddock boots and if you wear jeans you dont want the flair of your pants swinging aorund.  Tall boots are rather exspensive.  So throwing on jeans, and chaps over your paddock boots is great for when your going to the barn and dont want to get your tall boots dirty.  And its true that they also offer a better grip. Plus, in my opinion- jodphurs or breeches look kind of funny with just paddock boots on anyone over 12.

Answer 13

They provide the same basic protection as a boot, but in a more flexible, affordable, user friendly package.

Answer 14

GREAT QUESTION! I had the same one when I started riding many years back!

Purposes:

*Stop the pinching between you and the saddle

*Jumping

*Stay in contact with the saddle

*Leather and leather dont rub together/saddle and half chaps

They are also for looks. I highly highly reccomend them for a begginer english rider like you!

Answer 15

yeah, they are pretty much used to protect your legs.