Riding gloves
Riders see the topic "gloves" differently. For some people, wearing riding gloves means a loss of direct feeling in the hand to the rein and thus to the horse's mouth, while others swear by it. By not wearing a glove, rein aids could be adjusted more sensitively. With gloves it is more difficult to guide the rider's hand sensitively - many riders claim. However, the new riding glove models of various well-known manufacturers guarantee a sensitive connection to the reins by using the right material.
Riding gloves as protection
For many, they are primarily used in winter and summer to protect the hands. Especially when leading, loading and lunging, the riding gloves can protect against burns on fingers and palms, should the horse take off. For these areas the wearing of gloves should be a MUST! They can also be very useful when working in the stable. For equestrian sports they are actually irreplaceable.
Good to know:
According to the LPO, "light-coloured gloves" must be worn in dressage competitions of medium class and higher.
Huge choice - Which glove is the right one for me?
To find the right glove, you should first think about the area of application. Lined gloves are more suitable for the winter, a thinner glove for the summer or white gloves for the show. For stable work a more robust glove should be used, for riding a thin material can also be chosen. Every riding glove should not fit too loosely and should protect against blisters and abrasions by means of grippable reinforcements on fingers and palms. The fingers should all have enough freedom of movement and not be too tight. For riding beginners the inexpensive versions are usually sufficient at first. If the gloves are subjected to more stress, more attention should be paid to the product and material properties such as grip, feel and breathability of the glove.
Riding gloves against wounds and blisters
Anyone who travels with a horse for a longer period of time or does sporting activities with the horse will often fall back on riding gloves. This is because the reins, which are normally used, are rarely designed to be comfortable to hold. If the horse makes quick movements or the rider has to give way quickly or hold on to the reins, then riding without riding gloves can cause chafing or even blisters (frictional heat of the reins that rubs in the hand).
Sufficient freedom of movement
When buying riding gloves it is important to note that the riding gloves should of course fit tightly on the finger - "winter mittens" are not suitable for riding - but should have sufficient freedom of movement, especially for the thumb. Otherwise, simply choose a product that is comfortable to wear and, if possible, also an air-permeable material so that your hands do not start to sweat unpleasantly in your riding gloves when riding during warm seasons.
