I’ve been riding horses all my life but I only discovered what a “riding skirt” was just recently.
The beautiful drape of fabric, which covered the rider’s legs and the hind-end of the horse, looked lovely in photos. But what was it for?
It was easy to guess – a riding skirt is a winter garment for women that is designed to keep the legs warm while riding. It drapes over the rider from the waist down, and covers the horse similar to a quarter sheet, where it quickly accumulates heat.
Now, I’ve lived in the South all my life. This is probably why I’ve never heard of a riding skirt. But I’m amazed at how lovely they look, from a fashion standpoint, and happy to hear they have a functional purpose, too.
There are several places to find a riding skirt. Arctic Horse sells them in a variety of styles and colors. You can find them on Etsy, too.
Happy Trails!
[photo credits: Arctic Horse]