Glossary of Breech Features 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. |
Breech Buying Guide 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.
Additional Information
Low-rise breeches came along with the fashionable trend of low-rise jeans and casual pants. However, low-rise breech designs from every brand have evolved to ensure that the stylish look of a short rise in front doesn't compromise the desire for modest coverage in back. Most low-rise breeches are cut higher in back so that when you assume your two-point position or sit deeply in your dressage saddle, you remain discreetly covered. When shopping Dover Saddlery for low-rise breeches, you will commonly see the phrase "modified rise" to describe this type of cut. A couple of other thoughts to keep in mind regarding low-rise breeches include belt length. Although low-rise breeches sit somewhere near your hips, the sizing still runs according to waist size. When ordering a belt to fit your low-rise breeches, be sure to measure yourself where the pant's waistband will rest and order your belt according to that measurement. Additionally, if you plan to compete, consider how your show coat will look when paired with a low-rise breech. A coat with a fashionably short hem or an extremely body-conscious cut may not look best with a low-rise breech. Often, a mid-rise or high-rise breech achieves the optimal, polished presentation with a show coat.
Why use riding tights
Riding tights are the equestrian equivalent of yoga pants. Exceptionally comfortable, economical and easy-care, riding tights are loved by women, teens and kids alike for everyday riding. At Dover Saddlery, you'll find tights that keep you cool in summer and cozy in winter. You'll discover styles from all the leading brands and performance features that range from moisture-wicking or quick-dry properties to breathable panels to fleece linings. You'll find solid colored riding tights and those with contrast panels. Shop for your own pair of riding tights to discover undeniable ease and comfort—you'll never want to take them off!
How to Clean 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.
Our Guarantee 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
The Easiest and Best Guarantee in The Business
Shop with 100% confidence at Dover Saddlery. If something doesn’t fit you or your horse, return your original purchase within a year, and we’ll make it right with a refund, exchange or replacement.
Our experience as riders and horse owners ourselves is that in most situations a year’s time is fair enough to evaluate proper fit and function. PLUS: For manufacturer’s defects, we’ll extend the manufacturer’s warranty to a maximum of 24 months, regardless of their individual policies. (AND: Manufacturer warranties longer than 24 months will be honored and supported by us as well up to the length of those warranties).
Exceptions: Safety items such as helmets and protective vests may only be returned within 30 days, with their original tags intact. Saddles and riding boots may be returned within the one year period, but are subject to a prorated refund based on usage. Used saddles may be returned for 30 days only. For everyone’s protection, treats and vet meds which have been opened are not returnable, and returned blankets must clean and free of debris.
Special Conditions
To protect all customers and ensure that every return or exchange is handled fairly, we may require a receipt or decline a return in these situations:
• Item was not purchased directly from Dover Saddlery. (It was purchased at a used tack sale or from a retailer or online seller other than Dover Saddlery.)
• Item is missing a label or has been defaced.
• No receipt and no valid identification in our stores.
• Item is wet, dirty or contaminated, or until it has been cleaned. (For health and safety reasons, we cannot accept returns on used, defective or poorly fitting blankets if they are UNWASHED.)
• Item has been lost, stolen, damaged, or misused.
• On rare occasions, based on the nature of prior transactions.
• Supplements have been opened or used.
• Multiple returns of the same item.
• Personalized items may not be returned unless defective.
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Dover Saddlery understands your concerns regarding online security. We share in your concerns and therefore work hard with experts in the field to maintain a highly secure ordering environment. Along with our comment to security, we offer you a Secure Order Guarantee - this gives you 100% protection for your credit card transactions on Doversaddlery.com.
Our Secure Order Guarantee means that you will never have to pay any money related to unauthorized charges to your credit card account, as long as those charges are a direct result from a transaction on Doversaddlery.com.
How it works: If you experience credit card fraud, the Fair Credit Act specifies that your credit card company can hold you liable for no more than $50.00 in fraudulent charges to your account. Our Secure Order Guarantee will reimburse you for any amount up to $50.00 billed to you by your credit card company for unauthorized charges to your account, if those charges result from an order you placed with Doversaddlery.com. For this protection you must promptly notify your credit card company of fraudulent charges and follow their procedures as outlined in your credit card agreement.
