Winter Equestrian Clothing - How to Stay Warm in the Colder Months

It's cold and dark outside. The rain comes and goes. One day you wake up and everything is covered in a blanket of snow. But you still need to get up and out to care for your horse. There are not many things that can make this more appealing, but a few winter horse ridingclothing essentials can help reduce the pain. So, what do you need?Layers, layers, layersLots of thin layers are the way forward here. The three layer system is a good one to follow and involves wearing a base, middle and outer layer.An ideal base layer will be moisture wicking and breathable, so that if you sweat you will remain dry which will help with warmth. Experts suggest that the newer performance fabrics are preferable to cotton as they insulate better and don't lock moisture in.The middle layer may involve more than one item, in fact a few thin layers work better than one thick layer. The purpose of the middle layer is to insulate you by trapping the heat coming from your body, so it's important that they fit well and tucking items in will help too.Your outer layer should be your thickest item of clothing - it could be a coat, a fleece or a padded jacket. Generally speaking, the thicker and heavier the item, the warmer it will be. If it's not water or wind proof, consider adding an outer shell layer on top to protect you from the elements.Don't forget your legs! When it's really cold, make sure you double up on leg layers, for example longjohns and snow trousers, or tights under jodhpurs.Winter Equestrian Clothing - What About Accessories?When you're out in the cold looking after your horse, it's really important to keep your feet dry and warm. Wear winter socks - wool or fleece are best, and you can double up on these too if it's comfortable. And when it comes to footwear, a pair of insulated waterproof boots with a good grip to prevent slips in the ice or snow are a must.Winter hats and gloves are also essentials, protecting you from the cold and keeping the warmth in.So when it comes to horse riding and ownership, winter can be a really tough time of year. But following a few simple clothing rules can truly make a difference on those cold winter mornings and evenings, so make sure you've got everything you need.Alana Holder writes about Equestrian Products.The Old Dairy Saddlery specialise in providing the best quality horse riding clothing at affordable prices. For a great range ofwinter equestrian clothing, visit the website.Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alana_Holder/1491643