Horse riding gloves are an important piece of kit for most equestrians. Most of us wouldn’t even consider mounting without wearing our trusty gloves, similar to how you wouldn’t choose to get on without your riding hat or possibly a body protector. Many equestrians also use gloves for various other activities such as leading and grooming. However, it’s wise to mention that wearing gloves for grooming is a personal preference.
There are many different types of riding gloves on the market that all have different benefits and features. Some considerations when buying a new pair of riding gloves are likely to be:
- Do I need to buy a pair of gloves for the winter or summer months?
- What type of fabric do I prefer?
- How much grip do I need?
- What kind of fastening works best for me?
- Do I need an easy clean option?
Since there are so many different types of gloves to choose from, it is important to decide first what you are looking for. Cost can vary greatly, a good pair of riding gloves should cost around the £25-45.
Gloves for riding will look and offer different benefits to those chosen for keeping hands warm when mucking out. Horse riding gloves are made of a thin material, such as a polyester mix or leather. They may have an elasticated wristband, velcro for adjustments to fit, small holes for breathability or be made of a breathable material, areas over the palm and in between fingers that are thicker or reinforced, and grip-type fabric. Gloves made from reflective or hi-viz material are recommended for wearing when hacking out.
A pair of gloves used for horse riding from UVEX
Gloves for keeping hands warm offer insulation and are much thicker – not great for communicating with your horse when in the saddle.
Here we look at the key benefits of wearing horse riding gloves.
Key benefits of wearing riding gloves
Better Grip
Horse riding gloves provide you with a much better grip on the reins and contact with your horse’s mouth. Some reins have rubber grips, and you may think, ‘well why do I need gloves for better grip?’ It’s actually even more important because the rubber rein grips are likely to chafe your hands without gloves, and you could end up with some nasty friction burns.
If you use reins without any grips, then gloves can be very beneficial to ensure the reins do not slip through your hands whilst riding. They will provide you with the traction you need for better control and feel, especially on reins that have had a leather conditioner used on them.
Ordinary gloves do not usually provide the adequate grip you need whilst riding, leaving you at risk of reins slipping through your hands, especially with a horse that pulls or snatches their head.
Protection
Working around horses can pose risks that may be minimised by wearing a pair of riding gloves. One of the most common reasons for wearing gloves around horses is for protection. The BHS (British Horse Society) advises wearing gloves when leading and holding horses for inspection. If a horse spooked or decides to pull away, you could end up with some nasty friction burns on your hands if they are not protected, similar to rope burn.
LeMieux ProTouch Classic Leather Gloves
Riding gloves can also be great for protection when grooming and lunging. If you’ve accidentally swiped your hand with a metal curry comb before, you’ll know it hurts! Tacking up can also pose some injury risks, and fingers and hands can easily get nipped in buckles. Ouch!
Warmth
We all know that equestrian life during the winter months is not so much fun, and horse lovers quite often battle the elements to ensure our horses stay fit and healthy every single day. Gloves can be a vital piece of kit when the temperatures drop, and we need to continue with riding.
There’s no doubt about it; riding with cold hands is almost impossible. You have no real feel on your reins or your horse’s mouth, meaning you are unable to ride effectively.
Keeping your hands warm whilst riding not only keeps you comfy and cozy but ensures the blood in your hands is circulating. Without ample circulation, you will find it much more difficult to keep a grip on the reins, which is a requirement to have some control of your horse.
Putting on riding gloves half an hour before your ride can help warm up your hands in advance, and by the time you are ready to get on, you should have a good amount of feeling in your hands, even in the coldest of weather.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.