There once was a time that riding astride was considered taboo for women. Proper ladies rode sidesaddle in flowing skirts to maintain expectations of modesty and fashion. Times have certainly changed! Modern horsewomen are less concerned with societal ideals than they are with finding comfortable and functional riding attire. The thought of riding in a skirt seems cumbersome, complicated and unnecessary these days. But, much like modern women, modern riding skirts have evolved as well.
One chilly day last winter, I observed a fellow boarder riding in the snow-laden fields around our farm. Brave, I thought, to be out there in the unrelenting wind. I was cold just watching her from the shelter of the barn door. As she approached, I noticed something a little different. She was wearing a skirt.
Women have been wearing riding skirts since the 17th century; now you can get your medieval damsel/vintage cowgirl/viking warrior on while you combat the Canadian winter. Etsy image
When I asked her why, she explained “I got it for warmth. My horse’s heat gets trapped underneath it, keeping me very cozy!” Sherry, an endurance rider, spends a lot of time in the saddle, keeping up her gelding Sonny’s fitness year round. She knows a thing or two about achieving comfort for herself and her partner. She continued “I really love that it keeps me warm and dry, but it also keeps Sonny’s hindquarters warm, similar to a rump rug or quarter sheet. And it keeps the saddle dry, too, if it’s raining or snowing.”