horseback riding in a kilt?

**flying monkey** · 25th June 12, 04:14 AM

hello this is my first post on xmarks so here we go. this summer my family is going to a horse ranch in georgia and i really want to wear my kilt. problem is though that i dont know if itll ruin the pleats, crease it etc. i apologize if this is in the wrong place or if its already posted. thanks!

**Frank McGrath** · 25th June 12, 05:27 AM

Welcome aboard!!! Have you ever been riding before? I would wear jeans and boots. Horses stink. Every time I went riding, I had to wash my jeans before I could bring them in the house. You would not want to mess up a kilt with horse stuff. (hair, dust, etc.) I wouldn't even go in the summer. Too hot, too many flies, agriperfume. Good Luck. Wear the kilt to breakfast and dinner. Look sharp. Have FUN!

**Tobus** · 25th June 12, 05:36 AM

Horses stink.

That's a matter of perspective, I suppose. I love the way horses smell. Especially when they're sweaty. City folks are probably turned off by it, because it doesn't smell like flowers and perfume. But it's a good, clean, honest, natural smell to me. I own horses, though, and spend a lot of time around them, so I'm biased.

Can you ride in a kilt? Yes. But it'll be more trouble than it's worth. The mount and dismount will be awkward or even embarrassing; you could very well ruin the kilt by getting it dirty, stained, or even ripped; and it just doesn't look 'right' for the kilt (to me). I've done it, as have a couple others here on the board (like Riverkilt). My own preference, though, is to ride in trousers and save the kilt for other activities.

**Holcombe Thomas** · 25th June 12, 05:36 AM

Bare legs on a saddle does not tend towards a pleasant ride. Stirrup leathers can create some very interesting pinches on bare skin.

For western saddles (which I'm guessing is most likely), I'd recommend jeans and boots. For eastern or hunter/jumper saddles, wear riding pants/breeches and riding boots, although you can get away with jeans and lower boots on those saddles, too. You will have more control with more comfort and be protected from branches, etc., on trail rides.

Have fun!

Holcombe

**Scout** · 25th June 12, 05:40 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

... I love the way horses smell ... Can you ride in a kilt? Yes. But it'll be more trouble than it's worth ... My own preference, though, is to ride in trousers and save the kilt for other activities.

I agree 100%. Remember, just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should!

I'm also a horse owner and ride in jeans and boots.

**creagdhubh** · 25th June 12, 07:11 AM

I'd wear trousers, mate.

Cheers,

**Panache** · 25th June 12, 07:32 AM

Kilts are really wonderful things but they are not designed for riding. You can wear one of course, but it isn't practical, comfortable, or good for your kilt

And it will look rather odd

Better to bring appropriate riding clothes and change afterwards.

There are way better (and more fun) clothes for riding!

Cheers

Jamie

**Riverkilt** · 25th June 12, 07:40 AM

So what happened to our X Marks Kilted Cavalry???

Just be careful mounting. The kilt flying around as you mount might spook the horse to turn out from under you and leave you in a pile in the dirt....

Course, kilt flying around as you mount might spook any onlookers too...but hey...its them lookin'

**Tobus** · 25th June 12, 08:10 AM

Heels down, Jamie! Heels down!

OK, since we're posting pics, here's the one I've posted before. I don't know how Ron manages to tuck his pleats before sitting, but when you mount bareback (as I am here), you get what you get. And there's no standing in the stirrups to adjust pleats. So mine end up behind me, with me riding... uh... 'close contact'.