Ah, Fall. The time of year that you can smell winter in the air. The horses are starting to replace their bleached summer coats with soft and shiny winter ones – yet they don’t look like yacks quite yet. The crisp mornings where you can see your breath as you bring in the horse-kites for their breakfast give way to blazing afternoons where you swear summer is trying to hang around the party for a few more hours.
Yes, Fall – the season where we get to experience all four seasons in one day. It’s also the season where we have to plan to ride some horses (the lazy ones) in the morning, and some in the afternoon (the hot ones). It’s also the season where we have to plan our wardrobe effectively and efficiently when we leave the house in the morning – and do about twice the amount of laundry, but I digress.
So let’s talk about the art of layering.
Base layer – it’s important to start with something non-bulky, breathable, but stylish for the days that you wind up in just the base layer. The FITS Ladies Erin-2 Base Layer is perfect with it’s thumb loops to hold your sleeves long as you add layers on top, and is super flattering by itself.
Let’s be honest, the most versatile Fall wardrobe item is the vest. Weather worn over a jacket, or over a baselayer, keeping your core warm, while providing pockets for treats is of utmost importance. The Back on Track Tory Ladies Vest is a perfect addition to our layering plan with multiple pockets, tailored look, and the iconic iontex lining for performance and recovery.
Next up is a light but comfy softshell jacket to provide another layer of warmth and start our protection against the elements. The Ariat Ladies Fury Softshell Full Zip Jacket is perfect with its soft, but wind and water resistant fabric technology, and slim fit.
Finally on top we want our last line of defense against the elements. The Acqua from Alessandro Albanese is one of the best on the market. It’s features a 4-way stretch material, while also maintaining its breathable and waterproof qualities.
When it comes to breeches, wind and water are not our friends. We need something that not only guards against the elements, but also keeps us connected and grippy in the saddle (when the elements get to our horses). The Therminator from Kerrits are specifically designed for those miserable weather days, providing wind and water resistance with security in the saddle, while providing comfort with comfy fleece lining.
Having comfortable feet in the Fall begins with the proper socks. Making sure the sock isn’t bulky and is breathable and wicking is paramount when going through the season’s weather swings. The ThermoThin sock from Noble Equine has all those qualities and more, with its strategically placed padding, insuring it will never bunch or pull down in your boot.
Speaking of boots, we come back to wanting a stylish yet protective outer layer. The Teddington From Dublin provides ultimate comfort and waterproof protection while being stylish with a quilted top with lacing for the perfect fit. The Mountain Horse Devonshire also provides complete waterproof protection for those really wet days, with ShockX ™ Advanced sole system for ultimate stability and comfort for those long days on your feet.
Now get ready to start piling all the layers on, so you can strategically peel them off! Enjoy the Fall, because before you know it, winter will be here and we’ll have to complain about breaking ice out of water buckets!