Most of my clients are from somewhere else. That’s the nature of having my business in the silicon valley. People get a job here, move to the area, and then break my heart when they decide to go back home or move somewhere more affordable. My students from cooler climates usually poke fun at me when I show up to their lessons looking like Nanook of the North and it’s only 50 degrees out.
Nanook of the North and his sweet outfit!
My look when I teach a lesson and it’s below 50
After a year in California, my transplanted students usually get soft and start to complain about the cold at increasingly higher temperatures. I like to consider myself an expert on dressing for cold weather comfort at the barn. Here is how I do it:
First start with your base layer. Wear your usual bra(s), and then put on a smartwool shirt and smart wool socks. Unlike cotton, smartwool won’t get cold if it gets sweaty. I asked for a smartwool sports bra for Christmas, to avoid clammy boobs, naturally. My non horsey sister was confused by this request, and was convinced that I made a typo and meant to ask for a white bra.
This is not a smartwool bra, but it is what you get if you do a google image search for “sheep boobs”. You’re welcome.
Now that you have your wooly base layer, add your breeches and a fleece pullover. There are other technical sweatshirts that are great too, I just like my quarter zip pullover here.
Next, I wear my air bag vest, which is pretty warm. If I didn’t wear the air bag, I would wear a down vest. Finally, I put on my jacket. Unzipped of course, I don’t want to impead my air vest if it is activated.
My winter riding look
Other details are my insulated riding gloves, and disposable toe warmers.
These stick to your socks like a maxi pad and ward off frozen toes.
I don’t like to ride in a scarf, but have been known to ride in a cowl pulled up over my face. Ear warmers are also nice, but my long hair does an adequate job for me right now. Insulated breeches are a thing, as are insulated riding boots. I tend to prefer layers to make adjustments throughout the day.
Tomorrow, I will talk about ways of keeping your equine partner toasty warm as well.