At Houghton Country, we have hand-picked a tried and tested range of footwear for men, women and children, including jodhpur boots that are worn with chaps or gaiters, and long riding boots, all of which are suitable for all levels from beginner to competitive riding. Not all boots can be ridden in; boots designed especially for horse riding have a small heel to prevent your feet from slipping through the stirrups, and a smooth sole to allow the foot to come out of the stirrup easily in the event of a fall.

 Jodhpur boots, also known as paddock boots or short riding boots, offer a closer contact between the rider’s leg and the horse, are generally hard wearing enough to withstand yard work as well as riding, and are quick to slip on and off. They are a more casual choice, with many people riding in these at home to save their smarter pair of tall boots for lessons or competing. Short boots can be worn with chaps or gaiters, an example of which is pictured below right, which protect your lower leg and create a look more akin to that of a tall boot. Short boots are an especially popular choice for children who are still growing, as when they outgrow their boots, the chaps may still fit, and vice versa. The closer contact feel may also help a learning rider to develop independent control of the lower leg and the sensitivity to give more subtle aids. Short boots and gaiters are also a good option for riders who have difficulty in finding the right size of long boot.

Jodhpurs boots with a zip, such as those pictured below left, are probably the most chosen type of short boot. They pull on and fasten with a zip at the back, front or side. They are preferred by riders with a high in-step as the zip makes them easier to put on and take off. 

Pull-on jodhpur boots are popular with children and create a more traditional look. They provide a snug and secure feel across the whole of the foot, and so are preferred by those with a lower in-step.

Lace-up jodhpur boots are another option. Laces offer more adjustability and can help the boot to feel more secure across the top of the foot. If your lace-up boots also feature a zip, there is no need to undo the laces every time you take them off. 

Waterproof short boots or insulated boots are especially useful if you are planning on using your boots for yard work, while steel toe caps are available for enhanced safety. 

You can browse our range of women’s short boots, short boots for men and for children on our website.

Long or tall riding boots are a more popular choice for competing, especially for adults, offering a smarter, more formal look. They provide support to the ankle and calf and more protection in the event of a fall, and reduce the risk of chafing from the stirrup leathers. Some riders prefer the sturdy feel of a long riding boot as this can help to stabilise the lower leg, while others prefer the less restrictive, closer contact feel of short boots. Black and brown leather riding boots are most popular, but navy and grey are increasingly seen in the dressage or showjumping competition ring. Leather is the traditional material for riding boots, but synthetic boots are also available, maintaining a leather-like look but requiring less care.

Field riding boots, pictured on the right of the picture above, are made of soft leather and feature laces at the ankle which offers a more supple feel and more flexibility for the rider to push their heels down and move their lower leg. Field boots are often chosen by showjumpers and eventers, or as a boot for day-to-day riding.

Dress riding boots, pictured on the left, do not have any lacing and are more rigid, usually with an off-set zip and a reinforced back panel. This style of boot is very smart, and is chosen primarily by dressage riders.

At Houghton Country, we have hand-picked a range of long riding boots for women, men and children.

The cost of different short and long riding boots can vary dramatically, and you may be wondering what the differences between less expensive and premium styles are. There are several technologies that may make one style of boot stand out from the rest: some boots are waterproof, some are insulated, some have a steel-toe cap, and in recent years much research has gone into developing footbed technology to enhance comfort and support. If you will only be wearing your boots for riding in summer months, you may not need them to be waterproof or insulated, whereas these features are likely to be more important to you if your boots will be used for yard work or the winter. Footbed shock absorption and stabilisation is especially important for comfort and support if you will be wearing your boots for prolonged periods. 

Country boots with a stirrup friendly sole are a versatile choice of footwear, suitable for all country pursuits from dog walking to mucking out to horse riding. They are chosen by riders for their comfort and versatility, but do not offer the same close contact feel or support around the ankle and calf as a riding boot. Country boots tend to have a wider foot, and it is important to ensure there is at least 1.25cm clearance between your foot and the edge of the stirrup at either side, to avoid risk of getting stuck in the event of a fall.

While a short boot is relatively straight-forward to fit as your size will be dictated by your foot size, there are many factors that influence the fit of a tall riding boot: it is not just foot size that needs to be right, but height and calf width, too. 

Short, regular and tall heights are available in some styles, while widths come in extra narrow, narrow, regular, wide and extra-wide, depending on brand. It is commonly believed you need to size up in riding boots, but this is not the case, as the leather will give and stretch, so they should feel snug at purchase. 

If you choose to buy field boots, the laces around the lower part of the boot create some give and can provide a more secure feel around the ankle. With so many variations in sizing, it is a good idea to visit a reputable tack shop to be professionally fitted for your new boots. At our store in Northumberland, we have a huge range of short and long riding boots with friendly staff on hand to help you decide which boots are right for you.

If you have decided to come into store for a riding boot fitting it is advisable to wear what you will wear with the boots you are looking to purchase – breeches, jodhpurs or riding leggings, and riding socks – to ensure an accurate fitting. 

Hopefully the above information will have given you an idea of whether you would prefer short or long riding boots. All of the stock displayed on our website is available in our store, so once you have browsed and found a few styles you like the look of, visiting our store to be professionally fitted will ensure you find the most comfortable boots possible.

Before you come for your boot fitting, you may want to take some measurements so you have a starting point of what size you may need. As we have discussed, there is no need to size up, so your usual foot size will likely be best. To measure your calf height and width accurately, wear the jodhpurs, breeches or riding leggings you will be wearing most of the time, along with riding socks. It will be helpful to have a friend to help take measurements.

To measure the height you need, stand barefoot with a slight bend in your knee, asking your friend to measure from the bottom of your heel to the bend in your knee as per the diagram below, where A is the measurement you are taking.

To measure calf width, which is B in the diagram below, ask your friend to wrap the tape measure around the widest point of your calf.

You can then match up your measurements against the size guide for the boots you may be interested in.

You may find that after looking at the boots in person, you prefer a different style from the one that you had in mind. Our sales assistants are fully trained in boot fittings and will be more than happy to advise on the differences in technology between brand and style. Once you have selected a few boots that you like the look of, we can help with trying these on and fitting them. 

As leather wears in, it becomes softer and more supple, causing a slight drop in height – you can expect boots to drop up to 2cm in height. When your boots are brand new, it would be best for the back of them to be right up to the bend in your knee when you assume a riding position. Although this can be a little uncomfortable in the back of your knees while you break your boots in, once they are worn in and have dropped a little, they will be the perfect height – about 2 fingers below the bend in your knee. Until they are worn in, heel raisers can be worn to lift your leg and reduce pinching in the back of your knees. Heel raisers slide into the bottom of your boots like insoles and can be removed when your boots have adequately dropped. It is important to be mindful of the fact that your boots will drop, but if you buy your boots too tall in the first instance, they will hurt the backs of your knees even after dropping. There is no harm done if they are too short as long as they do not catch on the flap of the saddle, but they will look less smart than if they were the right height.

When you are sure you have found the right boots for you, to break in new riding boots, we recommend wearing them in the house, applying lots of leather conditioner, stretching the calf with boot trees or newspaper, and of course riding in them as much as possible!

Riding boots should be tight around your calf, and remember leather stretches with wear. Your new riding boots should therefore fit quite snugly to begin with, without causing discomfort. There should not be any gaps between your leg and the boot from your ankle up to the back of your knee; the boot should follow the curve of your calf. If there are gaps, once the boot is worn in, it will sag, which may look unsightly and feel uncomfortable, and they will not offer the stability that riders look for from a long boot. Width varies from manufacturer to manufacturer; riding boots with a wide calf are available, as well as those with a narrower or extra-wide fit. 

Short boots are a little more straightforward. Short boots and chaps or gaiters do not drop in the same way that a leather tall boot would, so there is no need to accommodate for the extra 2cm, although the back of a leather gaiter will soften.

Once you have chosen your perfect pair of new boots, you will want to take good care of them to ensure they last you for years to come. If you have invested in tall leather riding boots, it is advisable to keep them for riding, swapping into wellies or country boots for yard duties. To keep leather boots nice, it is important to clean and condition them regularly with our range of leather care. Synthetic boots can be wiped over with water and a mild detergent, while leather requires more care. Leather riding boots and gaiters should be cleaned with plain water and a damp sponge or cloth. When dry, a leather polish can be used to get your boots looking as good as new; black is for black smooth leather, while neutral can be used on brown. Finally, you will want to condition your smooth leather. A balsam or conditioning spray will help keep your leather happy and supple. If your boots have suede or nubuck on them, a suede protector is best. When you’re not wearing your boots, a pair of boot trees will help them to keep their shape and prevent sagging or creasing to the leather around the ankle. A boot bag is especially handy for transporting your boots, but also makes a great place to store them, protecting them from dust and moisture. The right riding socks will complement the fit of the boot, keeping you comfortable and your lower leg secure.

The best place to start your search for new riding boots is a shop with a great range of boots and knowledgeable staff on hand. Houghton Country has riding boots of all types in a broad range of sizes for you to browse online and in store.