How do one find a pair of good riding gloves?
A pair of riding gloves is an accessory, that should be present in the wardrobe of anyone who has a life revolving around horses - full or part time. There are basically no limits as to how and where, you can you use a pair of riding gloves, whether you are working at the yard or you are on your horse. Therefore, it is essential, that you find a pair of gloves, that is durable, of a good quality and that fits your hands perfectly.
Riding gloves can be slim or insulated, and most importantly, they protect your hands during all types of manual work. Furthermore, they will give you a better grip on the reins, when you are riding.
Find out here, why a pair of riding gloves is such an important piece of equipment for any rider and learn more about which type will be the best fit for you.
An indispensable piece of equipment for stable work
Whether you are mucking out, brushing your horse or riding, a pair of good riding gloves are more or less a must-have. You can wear the riding gloves both summer and winter, where they will prevent you from getting scratches and blisters. At the same time, they will help to improve your riding and the safety surrounding the handling of the horses. Because the riding gloves have many different functions, these gloves are different than the ordinary working gloves. Surely, you will appreciate the difference between the two.
The difference between a pair of ordinary gloves and a pair of riding gloves
There is also a great difference between the ordinary everyday gloves and a pair of riding gloves, that is made for stable and riding use. Regular winter gloves are made to protect your hands from the weather while keeping them warm and dry. The same applies to the riding gloves; especially if it is a model made for winter use. However, riding gloves also have to be made of a durable material, that is dirt repellent, ventilating and reinforced in all the right places. They have to have a tight, slim fit to secure a free movement of hands and fingers
Protect your hands from injuries
Working with horses, whether you are at the stables or in the saddle, is not always “a walk in the park”. Your hands are constantly at work, when you are around the horses, because they are used for everything in handling and caring for the animals. The best way to prevent getting blisters, bruises, burns and cuts, is to wear a pair for good riding gloves.
Beacuse it is not possible to foresee when the use for a pair of riding gloves will ocure, it is always the safer choice to wear them - or to just keep them in a pocket to have them with you at all times.
Hold on to the reins
It is one thing to protect your hands when handling the horses, it is another to stay safe while riding. A function a high-quality pair of riding gloves has too, since you get a better grip on the reins, when you use gloves.
Riding gloves are made from an anti-slip material, that prevent the reins form slipping through your fingers. This is a necessity when you want to perform your best without cramping up in your hands and arms from holding the reins too tight. Now, you can instead focus on all of the other important matters of your ride.
Summer or winter?
A pair of riding gloves made for summer use must provide you with the right protection without being to warm. Therefore, there is hardly ever any insulation in the types of riding gloves, that are meant to be used in the summertime.
A pair of winter riding gloves can be a bit more heavy, due to an insulation, which can make them a bit more difficult for your hands and fingers to move freely in. However, they will keep your hands warm and cosy no matter the weather.
It is always a good idea to have a pair of riding gloves for each season - winter and summer. Now, your hands are protected all year round.
The good fit
It is of the utmost importance, that your riding gloves stays in place for the entire time you are wearing them. Therefore, you should always look for a pair of riding gloves, that can be adjusted around the wrist. You should also make sure that the size is right. If the riding gloves are too small, they will slip, and if they are too big, there will be too much loose fabric, which will create a disturbance.
If you have any doubts as to which size you need, you can always check the size guide belonging to the specific model.
Do not compromise when it comes to riding gloves
A pair of riding gloves is an important piece of equipment when you are working at the stables or riding your horse. Therefore, this is no place to compromise - neither with the quality, nor the functionality. The better the quality, the longer the last. Also, a pair of well fitted gloves will last longer than a bad fit, because with a right fit, the wear and tear will happen only at the reinforced areas. In other words, the right pair of gloves will both protect your hands and last for a long time.
A pair of good riding gloves must meet the following qualities:
- Be a good fit
- Insulation depending on the weather
- Reinforcement between the fingers
- Good anti-slip function
- Adjustability around the wrists
- Dirt repellent material
- Tight fit for freedom in movement
- Wind- and waterproof