Breech Buying Guide

Which Breech is Right for Me—or Do I Need Tights?
Riders wear breeches in English riding disciplines for daily riding, training and showing. Once you’ve ridden in a pair, you’ll feel how much more comfortable they are than riding in jeans—even for those leisurely trail rides. Why? Breeches are athletically-inspired pants designed to help you stay comfortable and be effective in the saddle. They’re made to fit snugly throughout the seat, thighs and legs without bunching or shifting. Pant legs end in hems that remain neat, prevent the pants from rising up or twisting and feel free of bulk when tucked in tall boots or half chaps.

All breeches and riding tights are made of fabrics that provide either two-way or four-way stretch. Built-in stretch is necessary to give you full mobility and unrestricted freedom of movement, despite the close fit. Fabrics, features and price points are where riding breech designs begin to diverge. Breeches can be made of some type of economical cotton blend knit, finely ribbed synthetic fabric, stretch denim fabric or a highly technical microfiber with advanced properties, such as water- and stain- resistance, moisture wicking or thermoregulation.

Breech colors for competition remain conservative (as described in the United States Equestrian Federation Rulebook), but for schooling or pleasure riding, anything goes from classic to bright colors and plaids to eye-catching trims. Contrast top stitching, embroidery, crystal embellishments or color blocking can please the most fashion-conscious rider, while plenty of breeches maintain a traditional look for timeless performance.

Construction features vary to suit every rider’s taste, including low, mid or traditional/high rises, wide or narrow waistbands, pockets front and back, stretchy cuffs or hook-and-loop ankle closures, front-zip or side-zip and more. Regardless of fabric, brand, style features and price point, two main types of breeches exist: knee-patch or full-seat. The type that is right for you depends on your main riding discipline.

Knee-Patch Breeches
This type of breech has a layer of faux suede, silicone grip or some other textile in “patches” along the inner aspect of the knees. The patches offer grip and add durability for those riders who need to maintain two-point or jumping position. This functionality makes knee-patch breeches the classic choice of hunter/jumper riders and hunt riders, and they are often worn by event riders in the jumping phases of three-phase horse trials.

Full-Seat Breeches
This type of breech has faux suede, genuine leather, silicone grip or some other grippy textile along the seat, inner thighs and down to the knees. Most full seats cover the area entirely for consistent grip, but some have segmented panels for enhanced freedom of motion. Regardless of the cut, the full seat provides the dressage rider with “stick.” It helps the rider maintain a deep and secure seat, which in turn helps with the execution of subtle weight and seat aids. Many event riders choose full-seat breeches for the dressage phase of three-phase horse trials and may also wear them cross-country for extra grip.

Where Do Riding Tights Fit In?
The equestrian equivalent of yoga pants, riding tights are exceptionally comfortable, economical and easy-care—perfect for pleasure riding or schooling, but not for competition. They come with either knee patches or a full seat, so you can choose a tight to fit your discipline. They also come in an array of stretch knits from summer-weight to all-season/mid-weight to fleece-lined. The comfort and ease of riding tights makes them a staple of many riders’ wardrobes across disciplines and a favorite of beginning riders.

Tips for Washing Your Breeches

Make your breeches last by following manufacturer's washing instructions closely. Prior to washing, close any zippers and hook-and-loop ankle fasteners. Turn breeches inside out to protect metal logo plaques, knee patches and full seats from abrasions.

Breeches with faux-suede or faux-leather seats, knee patches or trim may be washed with a gentle laundry detergent unless manufacturer's recommendations say otherwise. Breeches with deerskin or other genuine leather trim must be washed with a product formulated to protect and clean leather.

Hang all breeches to dry naturally even when instructions allow machine drying.

Glossary of Breech Features

Term	Explanation	What Is Right for You?
Belt loops	In addition to the obvious—belt loops hold a belt to keep your pants up—our breech product descriptions mention belt loops. Why? In equestrian sports, belt loops run through with a belt are the most classic turnout a rider can present for schooling, lessons or showing	If you will be riding in formal lessons, clinics or competition, your breeches should have belt loops, and they should be threaded through with a belt. If you remove a top layer, such as a vest, or if show jackets are waived due to heat, your riding shirt should be neatly tucked. Empty belt loops reflect poor rider turnout.
Compression	Compression fabrics are woven with builtin stretch in such a way as to provide a very snug fit. Breeches or riding tights made with compression fabric hug the rider's skin and support the muscles, which in turn helps reduce muscle fatigue and swelling, and can smooth out the look of the rider's legs	If you wish to smooth out the look of your skin and curves, compression tights or breeches are a good choice. They are also a smart choice if you will wear your breeches for long periods. The compression will help reduce vibrations in your muscles and thus, help to prevent muscle fatigue.
Covered waistband	Inside the waistband, fabric prevents the back of the closure hardware, such as a snap or hook-eye clasp, from touching your skin.	A covered waistband could be helpful to you if you have sensitive skin or if you do not wear your riding shirt tucked inside your breeches.
Full seat	Faux suede, genuine leather, silicone grip or some other grippy textile runs along the seat, inner thighs and down over the insides of the knees. Most full seats cover the area entirely to provide consistent contact and grip, but some have segmented panels intended to enhance the rider's freedom of motion. Regardless of the cut, the full seat provides the dressage rider with "stick". A breech with a full seat is called a full-seat breech.	If you are working in dressage while wearing knee-patch breeches, consider trying a breech or riding tight with a full seat. The extra grip it provides, once you become accustomed to the feel, should help you maintain a deep and secure seat, which in turn helps with the execution of subtle aids. Many three-phase event riders also wear full seats in the cross-country phase for extra grip.
Knee patches	A layer of faux suede, silicone grip, some other textile or even self-fabric is placed in "patches" along the inner aspect of the knees. The patches offer grip and/or add durability to the breech for those riders who need to maintain two-point or jumping position. A breech with knee patches is referred to as a knee-patch breech.	If you are a hunter, jumper or hunt rider, a knee-patch breech is your classic choice. Three-phase event riders also favor kneepatch breeches for jumping. If you enjoy pleasure riding in an English discipline, the comfort of a knee-patch breech or riding tight is also a perfect choice for you.
Pull-On	Pull-on styling means the breech has no front zipper, similar to a tight. The elasticized waistband may or may not have belt loops	For the comfort of a riding tight and the classic features of a breech, consider a pull-on style with belt loops.
Riding tights	The equestrian equivalent of yoga pants, riding tights are exceptionally comfortable, sporty, economical and easy-care. They are available in full seat and knee patch styles and for women, teens and kids. Soft, stretch jersey fabrics may provide moisturewicking, UV protection and breathability.	Riding tights can feel so comfortable and unrestrictive you may forget you're wearing equestrian apparel. If you ride every day, keep to a strict budget, love the comfort of yoga pants or fashion leggings, then riding tights are for you. If you love color, look for the many colorful styles of tights.
Rise	Rise refers to the distance from the middle of the crotch seam to the top of the waistband front. It usually ranges from 7"– 11", and it determines where the breech sits on your body. Rise is important as it can alter your figure visually, making you look your best or compromising your waistline for the worst. Generally, low rise sits below the belly button, mid rise is near the belly button and high rise is above it. In breeches, the term "modified rise" refers to a low or lower-mid rise that comes up higher in back for complete coverage in the saddle.	Consider your proportions in choosing a rise. If you have an average build and are fit, you can probably wear any rise with success. However, if you plan to compete, you must consider how your show coat will look when paired with a low-rise breech, and most likely opt for a mid or high rise. These rises often work best with the waistline of show coats. If you are short-waisted or petite, a highrise breech may sit uncomfortably high and work to further shorten the look of your torso. Try a mid or low rise. Conversely, if you have a long torso or shorter legs though you're of average height, a low rise will make you look out of proportion. Try a mid or high rise.
Side zipper	Side-zip breeches (for hunter/jumper disciplines) are somewhat rare these days but are available. As a fashion trend, most breeches have a front-zip closure. A side-zip breech has a flat front and usually, angled front pockets.	Hunter/jumper riders have the option to wear a side-zip breech as a matter of personal taste. Both side-zip and front-zip closures are appropriate for schooling or showing in the hunter/jumper disciplines. Choose the look that is most flattering and comfortable on you.
Silicone print	A silicone application is applied as a full seat or knee patch on the outer surface of the breech or riding tight to provide grip against the saddle. The print pattern varies according to manufacturer. Silicone is flexible and stretchy, which may provide a feeling of less restriction to a rider.	If you are looking for enhanced "stick" in either a full seat or a knee patch breech, a silicone print style is worth a try. The silicone print will give you more stick and more flexibility. Without the layer of extra textile as the seat or patch, the fabric in the area will feel thinner and put you in closer contact to the feel of the saddle—some like this, some don't. It becomes a matter of personal taste.
Soft shell	Soft shell is a woven, matte-finish outerwear fabric that is smooth, resilient and somewhat soft. It sheds light water, but is not considered waterproof, blocks wind and sun and provides stretch for mobility. It is often bonded to microfleece on the inside surface to offer light insulation next to the wearer's body.	Soft shell breeches present and maintain a classic look. For winter riding, soft shell breeches with bonded microfleece inside help keep you warmer. For formal lessons and clinics, soft shell breeches may be your best choice for maintaining a polished look without sacrificing warmth.
Sock bottom	Also called sock-style bottoms, stretch cuffs, stretch panels, contour panels and related terms, sock bottoms on breeches are an alternative to the classic hook-and-loop ankle closure. The breech leg hem is replaced all or in part with a stretchy fabric or mesh that conforms to your lower leg and ankle. The design provides a smooth, seamless, bulk-free fit inside boots or half chaps.	For some people, a stretchy sock bottom makes all the difference in comfort when worn inside a boot or half chap. It is a matter of personal taste, a sleek fit and functionality rather than fashion or tradition.
Winter tights	Riding tights are available in heavyweight fabrics that may block wind and have either a fleece or microfleece lining for warmth.	Winter riding tights are a practical, cozy choice when long hours are spent at the barn in winter and for riding in cold temperatures. The fleece serves as insulation and wicks dampness away from your skin.

Hot Weather Riding Tips

The sunny days of summer bring extended daylight hours and the clear weather that means more opportunities to ride outdoors. But some summer days are so hot and humid that they rightly cause us concern over the potential for heat-related health consequences— in our horses and in ourselves.

How much heat is too much to ride your horse? What can you do to keep your temperature regulated while working in the barn or riding? Here are some suggestions for preparing you and your horse to deal with high summer temperatures.

For The Rider
Wear light-colored apparel when you're working around the barn or riding outside. Light colors reflect sunlight. Dark colors absorb sunlight, so when you wear them, you'll feel hotter. Another benefit of wearing light-colored clothing, particularly if you ride on trails, is that you can more easily spot ticks crawling on your clothes before they have an opportunity to attach to your skin.

Our bodies perspire as part of a cooling process. To keep yourself feeling cooler and drier, look for summer riding apparel in a variety of technical fabrics that allow your skin to breathe. Look for fabrics that offer temperature or moisture management by wicking perspiration away from your skin. Coolmax is such a fabric, and it is found in many articles of clothing from many manufacturers, including Tailored Sportsman, Equine Couture, TuffRider and more. Similar fabrics are Airmax, which is found in the Riding Sport line, Cooltex in the Kerrits clothing line and Dri-Lex in the Ovation clothing line.

On the bottom, many riders favor riding tights for summer riding. They're made of very lightweight and stretchy technical fabrics, and are available in both knee patch and full seat styles.

Even socks and gloves are available with wicking benefits. Lightweight gloves from several manufacturers are specifically designed for summer riding. Traditional crochet back gloves are still an affordable, perennial summer favorite too!

Most styles of helmets have built-in ventilation features to help keep you comfortable. Samshield helmets have a discreet ventilation system that allows air to enter the front of the helmet and exit the back; other brands provide ventilation holes and air panels.

Helpful Tip for Showing:
Many show jackets and show shirts are made of advanced technical fabrics that are designed to keep competitors cool and comfortable while riding. Look to jackets from Animo, Grand Prix and GPA that are made of breathable, lightweight fabrics with wicking properties to move moisture away from the body. Look for shirts containing CoolMax, such as those from Tailored Sportsman, Essex Classics and Beacon Hill. Breeches come in a variety of fabrics with wicking properties, too. Finish your show ensemble with summer weight gloves and socks that contain CoolMax. For more information on proper show attire, refer to Correct Attire for the Hunter Ring, Correct Attire for the Jumper Ring or Correct Attire for the Dressage Ring.

Drink plenty of water- your body needs it to function properly. You lose moisture constantly through exhaling as well as perspiring, so you should sip water continually throughout the day. Many people aim to drink eight, eight ounce glasses of water per day to combat dehydration. Don't wait until you feel your mouth becoming dry to begin to drink, and watch for other signs of dehydration such as headache, hunger and fatigue. Beverages containing caffeine and lots of sugar will not help you remain hydrated.

Tip: If you become uncomfortably overheated, put a towel soaked with cold water on the back of your neck, or run cold water on the inside skin on your wrists.

For Your Horse
Calculate and consider the heat index on any summer day that you plan your ride. The heat index will give you a good guideline to establish for working your horse.


Humidity represents the percentage of moisture saturating the air. You can find out the humidity percentage (and often the heat index itself) from your local weather reports. Many reports include this information as a matter of course once a heat wave settles in.

Example calculations:

70 degrees Fahrenheit + 35% humidity = 105 (Pleasant sporting conditions)
95 degrees Fahrenheit + 85% humidity = 180 (Dangerous conditions for physical exertion)

Horses seem to prefer to work at mild conditions, such as 65 degrees Fahrenheit with a low humidity of perhaps 40%. (Just think of a horse's playfulness on a crisp spring or dry autumn day.) So it is up to us to make sure we don't overtax our horses on very hot days.

In combination with the heat index, consider your horse's fitness level and condition. If your horse is fit and trim, has no serious respiratory or medical concerns and has been working regularly as your summer season set in, then he will be fairly well equipped to be worked appropriately on a hot day. Include lots of walk breaks during your ride with time for your horse's breathing to return to a normal rate.

Conversely, if you horse only works sporadically, or if he is old, overweight, coming back from an injury, has a serious medical condition or has just transferred into your area from a cooler region, then you might skip riding on the hottest of summer days. Even a trail ride could cause a compromised horse to become overheated.

Note: If you have questions about your horse's ability to work in warm weather, or the extent to which he should work, be sure to discuss your concerns with your horse's veterinarian.