I have a lesson tomorrow, and with the wind chill, it is supposed to be around 20 degrees. The arena is an outdoor. I cant seem to hunt down my full seat winter breeches anywhere, like they just walked off the face of the planet lol. So my question is, should I layer? Is it still comfortable? I have two pairs of tights I could wear under my breeches. I usually dont ride at all during the winter, so this is a first for me. (Because I freeze so easily, YAY Texas!). My canter is finally getting good so I dont want to stop while I am ahead, I need to keep riding so I have it down. I think I am secretly hoping my instructor cancels on me tomorrow though lol
Tights or pantyhose are great for layering. Make sure that you have nice warm socks that will not cause your boots to be too tight. And warm gloves that won’t slip on the reins!
I always wear long johns in the winter. It’s a bit stiff in some pairs for walking, but fine for riding.
Depends totally on how much you can fit under your boots.
silk long underwear or LL Bean Expedition weight long underwear. Fits under my TS and my show boots. Not bulky.
targets fleece lined tights under my breeches is what I did before I bought some fleece breeches. Those allowed good mobility but were still nice and warm.
In the end, it’s going to come down to what you are wearing on your feet.
If you are using half chaps that fit your legs snugly to begin with, you are going to have to use a fairly thin pair of pantyhose/tights.
If you are wearing winter riding boots, you might have more room to actually wear leggings/long johns/fleece.
I am wearing half chaps and probably my hunting boots, because they fit in the stirrup, and they have the thinsulate. Like I said, I dont usually ride in winter, so I guess I should invest in a pair of winter boots or winter paddock boots.
I’ve been ridding in the winter for 7 years in Northern Ontario, Canada down to -20C (-4 degrees F). I either wear my lined winter breeches or long johns under a pair of regular breeches one size larger than normal. Sometimes I even wear long johns under the winter breeches. Like others said: the boots/chaps problem. As for comfort, once you’re up there focussing hard on your canter you won’t notice your pants. Over the years I’ve stuffed my self into so many layers I feel like I can’t bend my arms and legs as I leave the house. But once I’ve brushed and tacked up and I’m on my horse I don’t notice it.
2 pairs of socks, leggings under my breeches, and plenty of top layers (sometimes a tank, t-shirt, hoodie/sweater, winter jacket). Thankfully my boots/half chaps permit for wearing all of that. I know my tall boots can fit 2 pairs of socks… but not sure about leggings yet!
I usually wear a pair of cheap spandex running tights when I’m layering; they don’t bunch up or move around as much as my looser long johns do.
Fleece leggings or tights, depending on how much room you have. I love them. I got fleece tights at Tuesday Morning and TJ Maxx for $3 or $4 each.
I’ve thrown a pair of grey leggings (though fairly thin ones) under my whites for a show when it was super cold and had no problem. Felt a little weird at first, but by the time I was 10 min into my warmup, I was fine!
Leggings work really well under breeches as long as they’re a similar rise (IMO but I’m chubby so this might not be a problem for you). Pro tip: put on leggings, then socks over them, THEN breeches and it will be much easier to maneuver everything into place.
My favorites are cold weather running tights, but in a pinch I’ve used regular cotton tights and still been fairly comfortable.
If it is just cold with no wind chill then I would recommend the appropriate baselayer. From thin silk, thicker silk, to Expedition weight from Patagonia or similar. If there is windchill then you need to stop the wind. In those cases, I just ride with technical rain pants (such as North Face etc) over my breeches. I do not notice a lack of stick in the seat or calf. I don’t know if it would be the same if I were jumping. Also you need to be sure you have warm feet. Warm core (Down vests are great for this) and warm head. Good luck!!!
Also I get all my technical gear at discount places like Sierra trading post, REI garage, eBay etc. I love quality stuff but I hate to pay full price.
Yes, give it a try. I layer a pair of microfiber Climate rite leggings under fleece breeches or jeans. If you’re riding and you can no longer feel your legs, hop off and come back when it’s warmer. 
The warmer your core, the warmer your extremities will be. Later up well up top, put on some wool boot socks (there are thin ones that are still warm). I don’t usually add leggings until much colder. I wear crop length that are about the same length as the breeches.
Also you need to have some air between the layers for layering to work. So you may need larger breeches to accommodate thicker layers. OR how about a pair of windstopper winter breeches to start with?
Target’s brand Xhilaration sells fleece-lined leggings that are thin enough to layer under your regular size of breeches, but warm and cozy.
SmartWool and CuddlDuds are two brands of socks that are thin enough to fit under boots. I don’t find I have to layer multiple pairs of SmartWool socks, but the CuddlDuds are new to me this year, so I haven’t tried those yet.
