Things You'll Need:
- boot socks
- boot pulls
- boot pray
- boot jack
- helper
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Step 1
If your tall riding boots are brand new, make sure to use heel lifts with them for at least the first couple of weeks to prevent rubs on the backs of your knees while waiting for the leather to break in and drop. Insert the wedge down in the sole of the boot and make sure it is rubber side down and all of the way in the back of the sole before putting the riding boot on.
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Step 2
Make sure that you have boot socks on. Riding boot socks should be thin, slippery, and cover the bottoms of your breeches. If you don't have any boot socks, wear the tallest, thinnest socks you own.
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Step 3
Untie the laces if your riding boots are field boots and loosen them as much as possible. Sit down on a chair or tack trunk. Holding the boot face up with the heel resting on the ground about a 1-2 feet in front of you and the top between your knees, point the hook of the boot pull down and backwards toward you in the right hand. Use your left hand to work open the loop of cloth (this should be about 3-4 inches down) inside the boot.
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Step 4
Insert the boot pull through the loop and hold it taught so that it does not pop off again. Repeat these steps with the other boot pull on the left side of the boot. Hold the already inserted pull and right side of the boot together in your right hand so that it cannot come out.
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Step 5
Once both pulls are in their loops, point your toes and insert your foot into the riding boot as far as you can while you pull backwards with the boot hooks. If you cannot get your foot all of the way in, stand up and push downwards with your leg while pulling up with the hooks. Once the riding boots are on, don't forget to tie the laces if they are field boots.
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Step 6
If you are still not able to get the riding boot on and know that it is properly fitted, follow the instructions below for getting it off. Then, liberally apply boot spray to your sock and the inside of the boot and try again. The spray will lubricate your leg and help work the boot on.
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Step 7
If your boots are new, wear them around the house a couple of times before you ride in them. When you do ride in them, keep your rides short at first so that you can break the riding boots in. If you are used to mounting from the ground, use a mounting block with new tall riding boots because you might not be able to flex your ankles enough.
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Step 8
After walking around the house or riding in your boots, it is time for the challenge of taking them off. Try first with a boot jack. Untie the laces if they are field boots and loosen them as much as possible. Place one foot firmly on the ridges of the jack and wedge the opposite heel from front to back into the U-shaped hole. Pull upwards with your leg and twist your calf slightly side to side if you get stuck partway out.
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Step 9
An alternative method requires a very willing (and unabashed) helper. Have the person bend over in front of you and place your boot between their legs. Have them hold the bottom of the heel firmly in both hands (don't squeeze the foot or it will hold the boot on!). Then push on the middle of their butt with the opposite foot while they pull forward on the riding boot. Again, try wiggling the booted leg side to side.
