Make Your Own Heated Riding Pants?
One of my favorite non-horse website is Lifehacker.com, a blog that features tips and tricks to make your life easier. Today Lifehacker blogged about DIY heated clothing. I am constantly looking for ways to stay warm during the cold weather. I don't know how many times I've come in from riding with my fingers frozen around the reins and my legs feeling blocks of ice.
A friend of mine swears by his battery heated socks, and I've used battery heated mittens for skiing. But I have never seen riding pants made like those for motorcycling riding, with heating wire through them. They look like a great idea. I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine and I've seen a soldering iron. I think we actually own one. So, would it be worth trying to make heated riding pants? Anyone willing to give it a try? Would they be a fire hazard in the barn? It would certainly be a twist on the term 'electric butt' or 'hot seat', the situation when a rider inadvertently fires up even the laziest horse because they ride with a too active seat. If you do make a pair of heated riding pants, please send pictures and instructions!
Comments
Unless you really know what you are doing, I’d stay away from the DIY heated undies…
You’ll have to do some searching online, but pre-made long-johns, gloves, socks and vests have been available since the 1960s. Most common are heated socks and gloves for hunters, but I had a pair of 9volt operated long johns years ago.
The main problem I encountered was pressure points placing the elements too close to the skin. This resulted in some discomfort to the point I quit wearing them unless I was going to do a lot of walking.
You can get more mileage out of a pair of heated socks, gloves and a good warm vest when riding horses, or bikes. In the case of a horse, well it’ll keep your bottom and inner legs warm, and that is wear your circulation system works best.
I have bought several battery operated heated vests from Gerbing’s Heated Clothing at gerbing.com. They make great products and they have a lifetime warranty.