Jodhpurs and Breeches for Horse Riding

Specialist leg wear for riding has been developed to help overcome the common problems normally associated with riding in ordinary trousers or jeans. Loose fitting leg wear without reinforcement will often lead to chafing, rubbing and even pinching of the calves particularly by the stirrup leathers. The problem is far more common with English saddles with their thin stirrup leathers, than with the wide straps of a western saddle, with which is it usual to wear jeans.

The vast majority of riding in the UK is English style, and jodhpurs and breeches are the accepted leg wear for women riders, and male riders, and child riders usually wear jodhpurs as opposed to breeches.

The difference between jodhpurs and breeches is the bottom of the leg; breeches finish at or above the ankle bone (but always below the knee) and fasten with a button or hoop and loop closure. Jodhpurs should finish below the ankle bone with a turn up of approximately 1”.

Breeches are more suited to wearing long boots or half chaps and gaiters as they dramatically reduce the bulk around the ankle.

Jodhpurs are ideally for use with short boots such as jodhpur boots, and they can be secured with jodhpur clips to keep them in place. Jodhpurs and jodhpur boots are the correct dress for young riders as it encourages correct leg position and grip and allow a riding instructor to see what the child is doing with their heel.

Both jodhpurs and modern breeches are most usually made from a 4 way stretch material, with reinforcements at the knees called knee patches. Both jodhpurs and breeches are made to fit closely to help avoid the material twisting or rubbing, and should be comfortable around the waist when in a sitting position. The usual fastening for riding leg wear is a hook and bar fastening with a zip for ease of fit, but pull on style jodhpurs and riding breeches are also very popular.