Product: Custom Arctic Insulated Riding Skirt
Manufacturer: Arctic Horse
Horse Trail Chicks’ rating: 5 carrots out of 5
There are not many products that can change your life, but the Arctic Horse Insulated Riding Skirt is one that changed mine. Here in Vermont it gets really cold and windy in winter so most people either stop riding or – if they have an indoor arena – are relegated to riding in circles and figure eights for months on end. My boarding barn has an indoor which provides a great opportunity to train, but doing arena work every day is not my idea of a good time. My happy place is on the trail.
The founder of Arctic Horse, Jen Dushane, who is from Vermont but now lives in an even colder climate – Alaska, needed a way to stay warm while riding. What started as a blanket tied around her waist with baling twine evolved into gorgeous and beautifully-made insulated skirts that form a pocket of air around your legs to keep in the warmth and block the wind.
Why not just wear insulated riding pants? Number one, I challenge you to find a pair of insulated pants as warm as this skirt. Number two, to get enough bulk in pants to provide warmth, you lose contact with your horse. Underneath a skirt you can wear jeans or breeches and maintain contact and grip and be toasty warm.
I’d been saving my coins and dollar bills to buy one of these skirts for the past year and was so excited when it arrived on my doorstep. The skirts are made by hand in Alaska and the quality of the fabric and stitching are unparalleled. The outside is one continuous piece of fabric (no seams to let cold air or moisture in), the lining is perfect, and the loft is luxurious – the skirt is fluffy yet very lightweight. There is a zipper in the front, which you can close to keep lots of warmth in while catching your horse or doing barn chores, and which you unzip for riding.
The first time I rode out with my new skirt was magical. I was bareback on my black-and-white paint and the bright red skirt flowing over his back looked stunning. I’ll admit it – I enjoy turning eyes when I am on my horse!
It was a blustery day but I was totally warm and comfortable. The skirt not only insulted my legs but blocked the wind. Because the skirt drapes over my horse’s back like a quarter sheet, I was also confident that his precious spine was warm.
If you don’t live in the frigid north but somewhere that gets somewhat cold in winter, or if rain keeps you off the trail, Arctic Horse has other options for you. Check out our review of their Tongass Rain Skirt – perfect for those chilly or rainy days in the fall.
And, if you are a man and don’t think you could wear a skirt, check your pride and get one of these so you can join your friends on the trail. Jen Dushane tells me that construction workers in Alaska (who are the pinnacle of manhood) use these skirts when working outdoors.
I predict that your first reaction when visiting the Arctic Horse website will be “wow, these skirts are gorgeous.” Go there for the eye candy if for nothing else. Your second reaction will be “OMG they are expensive.” Yes, $299 feels like a lot. But I look at it this way: my number one reason for having a horse is to trail ride. If cold weather prevents me from riding during the 8 months of winter (just kidding – 4 months), something that allows me to ride out during those 4 months is well worth it. Given that the skirt will easily last me 10 years if not a lifetime, the per-ride cost is minuscule. I use it for riding in the arena and doing barn chores as well.
You can also feel really good about where your money is going. Arctic Horse is an Alaska-based women-owned business that runs on a number of heart-centered principles. You can read my blog post about Jen Dushane and how she ended up living in Alaska making all-weather riding skirts.
I recommend paying careful attention to the length you order. This skirt is not meant to come down to your ankles. To avoid tripping on it and getting the hem muddy, you want it to fall a few inches above your ankle.
Price: $299
Where to obtain: order from Arctic Horse
Monica
