Horse Riding Gloves

Good Gloves, Good Hands, Good Rider

Wearing suitable horse riding gloves when working and riding horses, can make such a difference in so many ways.

Here we outline some of the basics for you to consider when buying and using gloves.

Contents

Why Have Good Gloves Riding Glove Requirements Summer Gloves Winter Gloves Glove Maintenance Spare Horse Riding Gloves Fingerless Gloves Yard Gloves Cold Hands in the Winter Gloves for Long Lining, Lunging Check List Before Buying Gloves Final Thoughts on Gloves

Why Have Good Gloves

If your hands feel comfortable whatever you are doing, you will do better.

It is interesting, when you see and hear famous athletes and riders being very particular and detailed about certain items they use.

This may seem on the surface, unimportant to an outsider, but it is often because of their thoroughness in all aspects of their sport, that they get to accomplish so much.

Attention to Detail

An experienced mountain ski guide of many years, living in the Swiss Alps, once said to me that, "if he has the wrong gloves on, it stops him from skiing properly." (This was difficult to imagine as he was a superb and very skilled skier.)

However, it confirmed my feelings and thoughts, which can be summed up in a famous quote:-

"It is the attention to detail, that often separates those that succeed to those that don't."

The Result

So on that note, I am quite happy to become fussy with my horse riding gloves..........

Riding Glove Requirements

Your horse riding gloves need to:-

• Protect your hands in all weathers - not too hot, or too cold,
• Be comfortable - not too tight, too baggy, or rub,
• Not slip,
• Yet at the same type ennable you to feel and communicate through your reins to your horse.

Summer Gloves

Summer horse riding gloves are thin with no lining.

There are several types on the market, synthetic, cotton and leather. Some of these also come with knitted backs and air vents across the knuckles which keeps hands cooler.

Synthetic Riding Gloves

There are a wide variety of these horse riding gloves available. Some come with synthetic suede on the palms to increase sensitivity and grip.

Many are made with a stretch fabric which increases the flexibility of the glove and like with most riding gloves they come with reinforced stress points.

They are usually long lasting and require little maintenance.

Unlined Leather Gloves

There is something about a good pair of leather horse riding gloves which can take some beating. They can just feel 'lovely' and over time, mould and fit your hands perfectly. They are flexible and soft to wear and take a lot of beating.

Unlined leather gloves can keep your hands warm and protected throughout a variety of seasons. It is only when you hit really hot and cold temperatures that you will want to invest in either summer gloves or warmer winter gloves.

Some leather horse riding gloves can tend to over stretch especially if unlined. So it is better to buy them on the slightly tighter side if you are unsure which size to go for, unless you like wearing a looser fitting glove.

High Summer Gloves

When it is really hot the knitted types of gloves that are on the market are great to wear.

They keep the hands much cooler and are a worthwhile investment if you are working outside in the heat of the day.

Due to their construction they are soft and flexible and will protect your hands.

No Summer Gloves

If you don't wear horse riding gloves the reins can rub the side of your index and little fingers. If it is very hot the reins can become sticky and it is not as easy to slip the reins and let them run through your hands which you sometimes need to do, e.g.jumping drop fences.

Bottom line - if you wear gloves you will protect your hands.

Our Thoughts on Summer Gloves

It took me a while to appreciate the difference and benefits between an unlined glove and the knitted high summer gloves.

But having now used the knitted ones when it was very hot I will always keep a pair of these to use on those really hot days when one is working outside with horses.

Glove Maintenance

If you buy gloves whatever the quality, with a little care and maintenance they can last a long time. Here are a few suggestions.......

Synthetic, Cotton and Fleece Glove Maintenance

Nearly all the synthetic, cotton and fleece horse riding gloves on the market can be washed, either by hand or on the washing machine. Most gloves also have a washing instruction label on them.

The waterproof gloves need more care otherwise their waterproof qualities will go. They can normally be wiped over and if need to be washed, Nikwax now make products for cleaning and washing waterproof clothing.

Leather Glove Maintenance

If you have leather horse riding gloves to help them last longer, when you are still wearing them rub in some leather cream to feed the leather, just as you would if you were putting on hand cream.

This is particularly good if they have dried and become stiff after getting wet.

If they do get wet dry them slowly.

If they are getting dirty, see from the label if they can be washed, surprisingly some leather gloves can be. If so use a mild non biological washing powder and then dry slowly and feed them as above.

If they can't be washed then wipe them over with a soft cloth and a little gentle liquid soap. If you look after them, they can last for years.

Winter Gloves

Winter gloves come in several different materials. Leather lined, a variety of man made fabrics, some of which are completely waterproof and different types of fleece gloves.

Leather Winter Gloves

If you get leather lined ones they will not stretch as much as an unlined leather riding glove. Leather lined are not completely waterproof and are not usually washable. You can wipe them clean as recommended above. However, leather lined gloves can be lovely to use and mould to your hand shape.

Synthetic Winter Gloves

Some of the many synthetic gloves are

washable, fully waterproof and extremely warm and hard wearing.

Their grip also tends to be very good.

They have a tendency not to mould quite as much to your hand, as leather gloves and the feel you get through a leather lined glove can be more sensitive than with the synthetics gloves.

Nearly all of then come with reinforced stress points.

Our Preference

Have a good pair of leather lined gloves aswell as a good pair of synthetic ones. Then if it is really wet save your leather ones. Having both types certainly has it's place.

Spare Horse Riding Gloves

If we are hunting and are going to be in the saddle for a long time we keep a spare pair of riding gloves on us, as wet gloves and wet reins can become very slippery, especially if going across country, on uneven ground and jumping.

Fingerless Gloves

Some riders are passionate about these style of gloves. You are able to use your fingers to do up girths and buckles easily without having to take gloves on and off. They come in winter and summer weights.

Again personal preference.

Yard Gloves

Keep a pair of hard wearing rubber gloves in the yard or whereever you are going to be picking out your horses feet.

The type of gloves that are ideal are the Grip Gardening Gloves. They are "cheap as chips," waterproof, on the palms and fingers, flexible, comfy and can be easily washed, which is essential. We keep pairs of these to hand whereever we:-

• Pick out the horses feet,
• Move hay
• Clean the yard
• Pooh pick
• Trim the hooves etc

Because they are there:-

• easily to hand, they are used.

If you want your hands to stay looking good, clean and smooth, these gloves will go a long way to helping you!

If you are working or indeed employing someone to help you with your horses, little things, like providing suitable gloves for them, can make these jobs so much easier and nicer to do.

Sizes of Gloves

They come in 4 different sizes:-

• small, medium, large and extra large.

I like a close fitting glove and use the small, but the medium are also suitable for a woman/girls hand.

The large and extra large are for men. We have found the large work for most men.

These gloves also save you using your good horse riding gloves.

Cold Hands in the Winter

Solution

If it is very cold and your gloves do not come high enough up your wrists, use wrist warmers.

Can't Find Time to Buy Any?

Here is a great solution.............

Home Made Wrist Warmers

Get a pair of warm socks and cut the 'toe ends' off. Then at the other end, on the side, make a hole for your thumb. Slip the socks, leaving you fingers free and your thumb goes through the one small hole you have made. Depending on the length of the sock will depend how far up your lower arm it goes.

You will then end up with some lovely warm arm and wrist warmers! (The best socks to use are long wool socks, if you have none, borrow some from:-

• Your father,
• Husband
• Or brother!

Cold Hands When Plaiting?

If you use the wrist warmers outlined above this will keep your hands and fingers warm when plaiting, grooming on cold days.

Gloves for Long Lining, Lunging

If you are doing long lining and lunging the school/surface you are working on very easily gets on the long lines which will then come into contact with your gloves.

We used to use our good horse riding gloves, but found these became very mucky and resorted to gloves which could be easily put through the washing machine.

So have some inexpensive washable ones available when doing ground work with your horses.

Check List Before Buying Gloves

Are the gloves:-

• Comfortable
• Colour this maybe important to you
• Correct fit
• High enough up the wrists
• Construction - are they going to last?
• Maintenance - Can they be washed?

Final Thoughts on Gloves

If you are in a position to store and have different types of gloves available depending on the work you are doing with your horse(s), you are then in an ideal situation to be fussy and use the most suitable types of gloves for the work involved.

This will then make whatever you are doing easier and more enjoyable.

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