The Right Horseback Winter Riding Jacket

Horseback riding during the winter months can be a challenge to keep you comfortable and warm. You would think that just any winter coat would do for horseback riding, but that is not so. You would not want one of those extra puffy down jackets. The reason for that is that they are much too bulky under the arms. Those types of jackets also make quite a bit of noise from the nylon rubbing under the arms. That type of unfamiliar noise is not want you want to subject your horse to when you want a nice and quite ride.

Shopping for that right type of jacket can be frustrating if you don't take into account what you need while horseback riding on a cold winter day. You will need a long enough jacket that will keep your buns warm but not too long that you sit on it. Side vents at the sides, near the bottom are an added plus for riding, but not an absolute necessary. The vents would allow you more movement if you are riding English style. A jacket that has roomy pockets on the inside will help hold your cell phone, ID and your keys. As a trail rider you must keep your ID and cell phone on you and not attached to the horse's equipment. That way you will have some way of getting help should you become separated from your horse during the ride. Roomy pockets on the outside are great for storing your gloves when you are not wearing them.

I found a really nice jacket that would fit the bill of a comfortable, warm and yet light riding jacket at Zappos. It is their Mountain Hardwear Cloud Jacket for women. The outer shell is made of GoreTex which is waterproof for those occasional cloudbursts.

What I personally look for in any type of clothing is how easy it is to care for. I loath having a nice coat that needs to be dry cleaned. It would cost me a small fortune sending riding jackets to the dry cleaners every time my horse splashed me with mud or sneezed on me after eating (and spraying freshly eaten hay bits all over me). The Zappos jacket is machine washable which is a money saver.

Finding the right jacket for your outdoor activity will make it much more pleasant to be outdoors this winter.