How do those legs feel?

Riding in shorts and half chaps seems to be a new trend, especially among teenage riders. Why is this?

It completely defeats the purpose of wearing gators. Sure, your shins are safe, but your knees and thighs are going to be chafed to hell within ten minutes of a posting trot. That is, if you're riding correctly and actually have a firm seat.

I remember the one time I wore capris and tennis shoes, and I have the scars to remind me of what an unpleasant experience it was and to never do it again.

I have not seen one person riding in shorts who had decent equitation. It's not bad enough that they can't ride to save their lives, but they have to LOOK like they don't know what they're doing, too!

I'm not sure what's going on in this photo. The rider's ass is sticking out and she's lying across the horse's neck like so many hunters do these days. She has a bad ducking problem. It looks like she's saying, "OMG look! There's something shiny down there! It's so pprreetty!!!"

Horse: "There's nothing there..." -_-'

See what I mean about all of them having bad riding skills?

Another annoying trend that makes me want to bang my head into a brick wall: riding in flip flops. If you are riding correctly, there is no way you could do this. Your feet would slip right out of your shoes and subsequently out of the stirrups.

This rider actually looks pretty good other than her lack of proper footwear. I understand if you forget to bring your boots or you lose them or something, but why would you ride without them? It's worth the trip back home. Scratch that -- why would you even go to the barn in flip flops? I've gone in sandals a couple times when I had no intention of riding, and it doesn't bother me when people ride bareback in sandals or even barefoot, but come on. That can't be comfortable. If I don't have my boots, I don't ride.

One more thing I wanted to add to the list.

Who was the genius that invented these? You'd have to be riding pigeon-toed not to jab your horse every two seconds. What's the point?

You can't even aid the horse without using the spurs. Plus that would be annoying as hell when you're walking. Knowing me, I would trip and fall flat on my face within ten seconds.

I guess there's a reason I've never seen anyone using these and I hope I never do.

Friday Featured Equipment

I thought since we see enough eyesores on this blog, we should have some good stuff to balance it out.

I saw a girl at a local horse event with half chaps similar to these, only even cooler. Instead of the snaps, they had silver buckles all down the sides. I should have asked her where she got them...

Anyway, they're called Portuguese half chaps and I LOVE them. Most of the ones I've seen retail for around $120. They would be a great birthday or Christmas present since that's not the kind of money most people spent on gators. Mine were about thirty bucks. lol

But seriously. Are those cool or what?

I'm a Barbie girl...

In a Barbie world.

You can even get hot pink chaps.


I'm not sure about this pinkish-salmonish color.


I had to throw in the English bridle that looks like Pepto Bismol threw up all over it. I don't know how or why it's pink, but it is.


Click for larger view.


This is in India. The fact that this horse is rather emaciated and unfortunate looking and pulling a wagon that should be pulled by at least two horses is beside the point. I have no idea why they dyed him pink. And why do some of the ugliest horses in the world come from India?

Western apparel disasters... shield your eyeballs.

Seeing stars... I don't think these things will win you any brownie points from the judges.

They're after me Lucky Charms!


Thank you, J Schreiber!