They looked innocent enough hanging in my closet.
This week I did perhaps the most difficult thing I’ve done since I started back riding. It took every ounce of my confidence, but I pulled it off. Or rather, pulled them on. That’s right, the most difficult thing I’ve done to date has nothing to do with actually riding, and everything to do with a simple pair of pants.
For the past few weeks – since I started actually working while in the saddle and being less of a joyriding passenger – I’ve been having a bit of an issue with the stirrup leathers rubbing uncomfortably on my calves. That’s likely directly related to the fact that I have been riding in jeans, bootcut ones at that. There has been a simple solution hanging in my closet the entire time, but I just couldn’t bring myself to use it.
About five years ago, around the last time I decided to try getting back into the saddle (I only stuck with it about two weeks that time) I bought myself a pair of denim knee patch breeches. They mostly fit then. Not so much now. That’s why I’ve been avoiding them. But the time finally came for me to suck it up, suck it in, and wiggle my way into them.
They looked innocent enough just hanging there in my closet, but when I pulled them out they suddenly seemed to have shrunk about three sizes. For one brief insane moment I thought that maybe I could wear them under my regular jeans. That way I wouldn’t have to be seen in skintight pants and my rubbing problem would be solved. Thankfully reality kicked in and reminded me that I am my harshest critic when it comes to my looks and no one else really cared if the breeches were flattering or not. Luc certainly couldn’t care less what I was wearing, just so long as it had enough pockets to hold all his treats.
After about 10 minutes of wiggling, jumping and cursing, I managed to get them on, and you know what, they were actually pretty comfortable. Sure they were stretched a little further than when I first bought them, but they got the job done. No more rubs. And they definitely made getting on a whole lot easier. I can’t exactly say I’m thrilled with the way they look while on. I’m not entirely convinced that they weren’t designed to specifically make women feel self-conscious, but then again, I’m currently in the process of working through my own body image issues, so may be a touch on the sensitive side.
Luc and I work on roundness and engagement.
If you’d asked me before my ride if I thought wearing breeches would have had any real impact at all on my riding, I would have had a hard time not laughing out loud. But after my most recent ride, I might be tempted to believe they’re magic. After effortless getting on thanks to my not-so-new stretchy breeches, the rest of my ride was a breeze.
The chiropractor was right. Since his adjustment Luc has been more than willing to move forward and a lot easier to get engaged and round. This week’s ride was like riding a light and fluffy bouncy cloud. Ok, so that may be a bit of a stretch of the imagination, but you get my point. I was flying high after such an amazing time. You can bet I’ll be bringing out the breeches again next week. Who am I to argue with magical pants, even if I still think they make my butt look big.
