10/13/2025
๐๐๐ง๐๐ก ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ '๐๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐๐ค ๐
Does what you wear in the ranch horse pen really matter? In short - ๐๐ฒ๐.
While we don't want to see any blingy, or excessively "show-y" outfits, what you wear IS in fact still important. The ranch horse discipline is much more casual, but โจ๐ช๐ต ๐ช๐ด ๐ด๐ต๐ช๐ญ๐ญ ๐ข ๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ด๐ฆ ๐ด๐ฉ๐ฐ๐ธโจ
Competitors in the ranch horse discipline should think ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐๐๐ฅ๐ & ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ with their outfit and equipment that is equally ๐๐ช๐ฃ๐๐ฉ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐๐ก & ๐จ๐๐๐. Riders should be dressed for a job and think more traditional while bearing in mind the "horse show" aspect.
โฌ๏ธ ๐ป๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ต๐
๐ผ๐ธ๐น ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ค ๐๐ ๐กโ๐๐ข๐โ๐ก๐ ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐คโ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐๐โ โ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ โฌ๏ธ
๐ *แดสแดกแดส๊ฑ สแด ๊ฑแดสแด แดแด แดสแดแดแด สแดแดส ๊ฑสแดแดก/แด๊ฑ๊ฑแดแดษชแดแดษชแดษด สแดสแดสแดแดแด ๊ฐแดส ๊ฑแดแดแดษช๊ฐษชแด แดแดแดษชสแด & แดQแดษชแดแดแดษดแด ษชษด๊ฐแดสแดแดแดษชแดษด*
โช๏ธ๐ฆ๐ต๐ผ๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐
While choosing a show shirt for the ranch, remember the words above: casual. traditional. functional. workable. sensible. This doesn't mean you should be entering the pen with a grease-stained shirt or that you can't have FUN with your tops โ but think "ranchy".
Many choose a button down shirt but a zipper is acceptable as well. The big key with getting an appealing look is to pick a shirt that is fitted to your body type and is a color(s) that appeals to both you AND your horse. You can have fun with fancy collars, cuffs, or even designs, but make sure it matches your saddle blanket and doesnโt take away from you or your horse. Often, a basic, solid button down paired with a great saddle blanket design is a simple, yet effective way to go!
โช๏ธ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป๐, ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฝ๐, ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ธ๐, ๐ผ๐ต ๐บ๐! ๐
Be sure to have well-fitted, clean, and classy jeans; especially if you wonโt be wearing chinks or chaps over top. Think of what would be worn doing ranch work: Would you have your widest pair of bell bottoms on to do the job? Probably not. Another thing to consider is the fit of jean. If you are wearing full chaps, having a straight leg or skinny bootcut jean will fit better under your chaps, but still fit over your boot. Some people like to wear chinks and then show off the tops of their boots by tucking the jean into the boot. This is a preference, as well as geographical. Either way, a nice, well-fitted pair of blue jeans is key. *๐๐ค๐ฉ ๐ฉ๐๐ฅ*: get a longer inseam for your riding jeans. This will assure your jeans still cover your boots without riding up while in the saddle.
Chaps or Chinks โ chaps and chinks are not a required accessory, but certainly complete any ranch horse look. ๐โ๐๐โ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข ๐โ๐๐๐ ๐? Whichever works for you! There is no right or wrong answer here, but again: consider your body type, leg length, the conditions in which you are showing, etc. I know many people who have a pair of each and will interchange them depending on their attire or the weather.
โช๏ธ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ โ๐บ๐ฒ๐น๐ผ๐ป-๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟโ โฆ aka hat or helmet ๐๐ค
When it comes to ranchinโ โ a good, well-fitted & well-shaped cowboy hat is generally at the top of the list. For those who prefer to wear a helmet, it is completely acceptable and encouraged too!
Letโs start with the helmet: If you choose this option, be sure to (again) pick one that fits well and is not flashy. Black or brown generally go with everything, and neutral is your friend in this situation.
Now for the cowboy hat: Be sure to get a hat that fits a LITTLE snug โ not cutting off blood circulation to your noggin, but snug enough that when youโre loping around, you donโt have to worry about losing it. โThe shape of your hat tells a lot about your personalityโ. Get a hat that fits your face and frame. Your crown & brim are customizable and they should be. Find a place local (if possible โ in NEPA we have Thomas Broโs Western and others who attend shows to shape hats) or online (there are plenty ie: the CowLot). Some places even offer hat kits which allow you to measure your head, pick a crown, and a brim that works for you. A good hat sure makes a difference.
โช๏ธ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ & ๐ผ๐ฝ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐๐๐ถ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฅพ
Get yourself a good pair of western boots that you could ride all day in. There are loads of options out there these days, but again, quality does make a difference!
Wild rags, vests, jackets are all optional attire. Wild rags are more often used in chilly months, though they can be worn anytime. If youโre lucky enough to show in the colder temperatures, wild rags can help keep your neck warm as well as tie in your outfit. They should be tied correctly and not excessively loose: ๐ฉ๐๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐๐๐๐ฉ๐ฎ. If you're going to show in them, make sure they are fitted to not look sloppy.
Vests or jackets may be worn as well. Jackets are generally only worn if it is chilly. The same goes for most vests, but lighter vests are additionally seen being worn to tie in an outfit and can be a super fun, and catchy accessory!
โช๏ธ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ธ๐ฒ๐๐
Now for your horse: tying in an attractive saddle blanket above your work pad really seals the deal. Ideally, this blanket should match your shirt/vest/wild rag/etc. and complement your horseโs color. There are loooooads of different businesses offering custom as well as pre-made saddle blankets and the options are endless (and an addiction ๐ซฃ). Have fun with it but keep in mind what complements you and your horse best!
๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ: You and your horse should look like a cohesive package -- both while riding and with your attire. Having a good movin', broke, handy ranch horse while boasting an attractive look between your shirt, chaps/chinks, hat, jeans, saddle blanket, etc. will boost eye appeal and up that ranch appearance. Make the 'fit sensible and workable, but don't be afraid to have some fun with it ๐
๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐? Feel free to send along a pic of you and your horse for some outfit & saddle blanket ideas!
โฌ๏ธ Feel free to drop your favorite ranch 'fits in the comments below โฌ๏ธ
Written by Abigail Borel
