Winter may be cold, wet and windy at times, but it’s also a great opportunity to make the most of hacking, providing your keep yourself warm and comfortable.

We asked our Hack 1000 Miles participants for their top tips for staying cosy in the saddle, even on the chilliest of days, and we had a a great response.

Here are some of our favourite ideas to make hacking as pleasurable as possible, whatever the weather:

  1. Invest in a riding skirt: Lots of hackers recommended wearing a riding skirt to keep warm and dry. Sarah Bettell swears by the DoPo model — “I absolutely love it. It can be freezing cold and piddling down with rain and I remain warm and dry”.
  2. Wear salopettes: Skiing trousers are also a popular choice. “I love my ski trousers as they keep me dry, warm and comfy in the saddle,” says Sarah Chambers.
  3. Warm clothes while you get ready: Kate Rogers leaves her horse’s rug on over his quarters while tacking up, and puts any riding clothes she’s yet to put on, like gloves, under the rug. By the time she’s ready the items are nice and warm. And if you hate starting your hack with chilly feet, you could try Joanna Tinsley’s inventive tip. “I dig a hole in the muck heap and put my riding boots in it (in a plastic bag!),” she says. “They warm up while I tack up.”
  4. Stock up on thermals: Lots of riders opt for thermals, and layering on colder days. “I wear a thermal vest and, if very cold, a long strappy top underneath, then a warm long sleeved shirt, a fleece jumper and a fleece gilet,” says Pamela Bartrip. “I also wear thermal breeches, a body protector and a warm hi-viz coat on top. I wear merino socks with heat savers on top , and if very cold fleecy tights under socks. I bought bigger winter riding boots and wellies so they would accommodate the extra layers!”
  5. Bag it up: Riders also suggested wearing surgical gloves under riding gloves, or plastic bags between pairs of socks to lock in heat. “I wear surgical gloves inside my gloves, no heat escapes,” says Helen Duperouzel.
  6. Wear a long coat which unzips for riding: Sophie Joy bought a knee-length padded coat for winter hacks. “I call it my duvet coat,” she says. “It unzips at the back, with a zip only going to the front of the saddle with full length poppers. You can have it all done up on the yard and then unpopper/unzip the bottom and stay snug in the saddle as it wraps around your legs.”
  7. Heated clothes: Battery-operated heated clothes are also a good option. Danielle Rowles opts for heated insoles and a heated coat.