Now that winter has officially arrived I need some ideas o how to keep my thighs from freezing. My tall boots don’t have room for winter breeches.
Does anyone make knee length long underwear? Any other ideas?
A friend of mine showed me the sticky toasty toes - she puts them inside her jeans on the top of the thigh. Actually works really well.
There are knee-length base layers. Try “thermal shorts” or “short long underwear.” You have to shift through results a bit but you can find them.
Or make your own but cutting down a regular pair of long underwear.
Before I bought a quarter sheet, I used to take a fleece cooler and wrap the shoulder bits around my leg and back under my knee and it was quite a toasty setup.
Irideon started doing their fleece breeches with a thin wicking fabric calf. No more bulk under boots or half chaps.
Well I have found that a moderate layer of fat works well for me. Perhaps you need to eat more cookies?
Failing that. Full chaps, or the western style chinks just go to the knees, or pants you can wear over your breeches and boots? I have a pair of full side zip waterproof pants that I use for riding to add a layer of warmth (only if my natural thigh fat is not enough for that particular day).
I wear chinks. I love them and it warms me just across my thighs.
A longer parka that has a slit at the back?
or if you can’t find knee length long underwear in either fleece or wool, you could buy some full-length and shorten them?
I had the same problems with tall boots; I usually just wore paddock boots with half chaps over jeans so I could accommodate layers. If that’s not your style, I vote full chaps.
Howza bout something like this?
https://www.nrsworld.com/saddle-barn-tack/brown-turquiose-and-gold-rodeo-chaps--113561
[QUOTE=HungarianHippo;8960780]
Riding skirt!
https://www.arctichorsegear.com/products/insulated-riding-skirt-narrow-long-polar[/QUOTE]
Those are really nice! I have an insulated lap robe that I use for cold/wet weather riding but like that riding skirt, too.
I got a Mountain Horse coat a couple of years ago. It is longer and has more insulation than most of their jackets. I use it in the low 20s and down into the teens. It has the proper vents in the back, a double zipper, and I’m short. So when I have everything arranged correctly it falls over my thighs. I also use Irideon Windpros, but insulated paddock style boots and Smartwool socks. It all seems to work out okay. Irideon also has a “chinchilla” head band which is good for keeping the warm ears while fitting under the helmet nicely. I also got the MH “crew jacket” which is on Tack of the Day Too today (Monday). It’s not as heavy as the coat but is good in the higher 20s and warmer without needing extra layers underneath. I just hitch up the elasticized bottom around my waist so it’s not rubbing on the saddle.
People think I’m nuts for riding in the cold, but as long as I’m layered up and toasty it’s fine. 15 is about the coldest I’ll ride in. The horse seems fine too, in fact he really likes the snow. Apparently there is little to no effect on their respiratory system until you get down around 10F.
I ride mostly in paddock boots & avoid the new styled breeches with the thinner calf “socks” bottoms.
I have breeches that are ankle-length w/elastic & some with velcro at the ankle.
I wear long underwear under both, heavy wool socks - over the breeches - & stay plenty warm riding.
Having my leg on 100F horse who radiates that heat helps too 
[QUOTE=2DogsFarm;8961555]
Having my leg on 100F horse who radiates that heat helps too :D[/QUOTE]
Further proof that the solution is always MORE LEG.
[QUOTE=specifiedcupcake;8961602]
Further proof that the solution is always MORE LEG.[/QUOTE]
And since bareback is The Warmest Seat in the House can we say More Butt works too? 
I will start with the admission that living in North Carolina I fully realize that the Canadians will laugh at any input I have on how to cope with cold!
We did have a cold weekend though and I can’t seem to tolerate cold well. I tried a silky underlayer on under breeches and felt really slippery riding the whole time. Maybe it was just a bad day, I’ve used base layers before that didn’t feel that way (and I have a mid weight set from Patagonia that I will use next time). That said one of my Christmas presents is a pair of winter riding boots and I already own an original mountain horse coat which is the HOTTEST coat every made and is long and covers my butt. I just bought a super thin Columbia beanie to cover my ears and head under a helmet. I have great base layers for my top and thought I might just let my chunky thighs fend for themselves if the underlayer stays slippery feeling.
[QUOTE=HungarianHippo;8960780]
Riding skirt!
https://www.arctichorsegear.com/products/insulated-riding-skirt-narrow-long-polar[/QUOTE]
Are these unisex do you think?
[QUOTE=OTTB_;8961645]
Are these unisex do you think?[/QUOTE]
Get a coat in a matching color? Everyone will think you’re wearing a duster then.
