Why wear Half Chaps?
These are pieces of leather or suede that go over a short pair of jodhpur or paddock boots and wrap around the lower half of your leg to protect you from getting rubbed by the stirrup leathers when you ride. They can sometimes offer a little extra grip too, which is useful if you’re riding young or fresh horses. When paired with paddock boots, half chaps offer the functionality of tall boots.
They tend to be used for everyday schooling or more informal events like fun rides or low-level competitions. Horse riding half chaps are a cheaper alternative to tall boots and so often work out more practical for use on a day-to-day basis.
Also, when looking at cost, even the most pricey half chaps cost less than a pair of Tall Boots made of leather. In many cases, riders would be better off purchasing a good pair of paddock boots and half chaps for around the same price as an average pair of Tall Boots. However, it is important to note that at recognized shows and events they are deemed illegal. If you are going to be entering into such competitions, it may be worth training in half chaps and then only using tall boots when really necessary.
