Horseback riding?

[Oilverland]

Certainly this must be done, riding a horse in a kilt. I didn't find a direct reference to this doing a forum search. I'm a newbie, have yet to buy a kilt, and I'm researching what features I need. One thing I know, horses and saddles are dirty and smelly, so I'll be getting a washable material.

I'm wondering if the aprons separate a lot when sitting in the saddle. Is this a problem? Using a pin is not an option, nothing sharp should be near you or your horse. Can the kilt be custom fitted with buttons that keep the aprons together?

I will be using a Western saddle as well as an English saddle. The former has a high pommel and horn. Nothing must catch on those parts if the rider is thrown. As far as I can tell there are no cords or the like under a kilt that would lead to that. Am I right?

You can be sure I'll be wearing nylon+lycra gym shorts underneath as much for abrasion protection as modesty. Maybe the Greeks and Romans in their skirt-like tunics had calloused butts and legs but not this wuss!

If there are socks that can be pulled up over the knee, that would complete the abrasion protection. Are there such socks? (Otherwise I have some riding specific knee protectors that I can use, just have to put them on before socks and boots.)

[Tobus]

I believe one of our members, Riverkilt, posted a few years ago about an excursion he did on horseback (at the Grand Canyon or some such) whilst wearing a kilt.

I've done it too - photo evidence below. But the difference is I was wearing a Utilikilt and riding bareback on a huge Percheron. I'll be honest: the mount and dismount were awkward, to say the least! Many giggles were detected from my wife and her friend.

Historically speaking, Scots who were going to be horseback generally wore trews. And I tend to agree that spending a lot of time horseback is best in trousers. I rarely ride my horses any more these days, but if I do, I'm wearing jeans and boots. I find that trying to do it in a kilt is just impractical.

[Father Bill]

Historically, not a particularly traditional combination.

[Taskr]

As above, I'm not sure its practical. Given all the items for abrasion protection, might as well wear trousers.

RE: your earlier thread on kilt use - From the perspective of riding to a trailhead or other location and then walk/hike kilted from that point, there's always the option I use motorcycling. Jeans with the boots, hose, shirt, etc. At destination (away from everyone if possible), wrap the kilt around my waist with first straps and then drop the jeans, replace the footwear. Reverse the order on return to "the mount". I've received a few in fun comments, but not near the reactions to Mr.Bean's bathing suit on the beach skit.

[Oilverland]

... I've received a few in fun comments, but not near the reactions to Mr.Bean's bathing suit on the beach skit.

Oh, my, that is one hilarious skit. On YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWCSQm86UB4

[figheadair]

That's one of the reasons, historically speaking, for trews.

[Riverkilt]

I would caution you to mount carefully...a quick mount sends the kilt flying and the horse sees it as a waving blanket and is likely to bolt out from under you before you land in the saddle....yes, first hand knowledge...landed in the mud with my kilt covering my face and bystanders shocked at the answer to "The Question."

I have collected about 8 other pics of gents riding kilted...feel free to enlist!

[Oilverland]

Oh gosh what great advice about flapping kilts, and I should know better. The horses I work with are not trained using a Buck Brannaman style flag (cloth or plastic on the end of a whip*) so anything flag-like could spook them. We even use relatively short lead ropes to do a lead-by (from the ground, moving the horse in a circle then having it change direction). I've even been told no not wear rain clothing that make fabric noise. I'll have to talk to my trainer about this.

(Definitions added for those who may not be horse folks. If you don't know of Buck Brannaman, look for the bio-pic of him called "Buck". It's a great movie even for non-horse folks. If you finish it with a mixed opinion of Buck, then you understand.)

(*Whip is an old term, it's not a bullwhip! We basically only press on or tap a horse with them. I want to say crop but they are a bit shorter I think.)

[Tobus]

Not to get off-topic onto horse training (it is relevant here, with the kilt issue), but we use Parelli methods on our horses. Desensitization is a major part of building a trail horse. Umbrellas, rain coats, stuff like that. If a horse is going to spook at a flag whipping in the wind, or a bicycle on the trail, or a swishy raincoat, he's not ready for the trail. He's just an accident waiting for the right trigger. A kilt should be one of the least spooky things the horse is accustomed to seeing.

[Oilverland]

Off topic warning: I agree with those comments on desensitization. The horses I ride are semi-retired Quarter Horses occasionally used as cattle horses, and Kentucky Mountain and Foxtrotter horses. They are all used to trail riding in our shrub-steppe and wooded terrain, and - except for one who remains uncertain about metal structures, which the rider needs to know about - are pretty trustworthy. E.g., they are unfazed by deer jumping out of the bushes. The rule is for the rider to expect anything and keep your seat. The horse usually spots deer before I do and I have to remember to figure out what it is their ears are pointed at.

We have snakes out here including the Western Rattler. I once witnessed a horse not seeing a snake, a non-venemous Gopher Snake, the snake seemed to be in the horse's blind spot. Nothing bad happened but you never know.

I've audited clinics on the Parelli approach, and read his book, and it indeed has something to teach other instructors. I was hoping to work with a local level 3 instructor but he moved to the southwest. I've had some really good instructor-trainers, yet they still may have some blind spots. Like I say, I need to talk to my current trainer about this.