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Having been a happy hacker my entire life, I’ve never really been into expensive leather boots when I take to the saddle. I suppose this is because even if I don’t plan to dismount while I’m out and about, it inevitably happens.
It used to happen quite a lot, in fact, when I used to ride and lead my children’s ponies. At least once per ride one of them would plant, I would inevitably drop the lead rope (it was either that or be dragged off), and the only way to rectify the situation would be to dismount, grab the errant equine, and then clamber back on board my own horse again.
And if all of this happened in a muddy field, the fact that I wasn’t wearing an expensive leather boot, but rather a semi-welly like the Muck Boot Colt Ryder, would prove to be a godsend.
My children are grown up now — although I still have their ponies — and so there is less need to clamber in and out of the saddle these days.
However, I’ve remained a fan of Muck Boot’s Colt Ryder — the boots that I have ridden in for several years after discovering them when Muck Boot sent them in for testing when I worked on a magazine other than Your Horse.
Video
See the boots in action and hear a summary of the best selling points in the following video:
Initial thoughts
I can’t remember my initial thoughts on these boots as it was too long ago, but a few months ago the company sent me another pair after saying that they had relaunched the boot (although why they went off the market for a while I’ve no idea as they are so incredibly useful).
To say it was like connecting with an old friend would be an understatement. The design didn’t seem to have changed in any way and when I slipped them on they felt no different to my old pair — except this new pair was smart and mud free, of course.
Fit
I have been wearing the full-length version of the Colt Ryder and the first thing you notice about the boots is the softness and flexibility of the upper leg section.
As a ‘sufferer’ of fairly sizeable calves, I have struggled in the past with constraining riding boots — especially in the days before companies realised that some female equestrians don’t actually possess skinny pins (it seemed to take years for the penny to drop).
But this has never been the case with the Colt Ryder, which will always stretch and accommodate to whatever leg comes their way.
Best feature
The other huge plus point about the Colt Ryder is that they are super-versatile and prevent the faff of needing to keep two pairs at the yard — one for chores and one for riding.
Therefore, I wear my Colt Ryder boots to wash down and skip out stables as well as while poo picking in the field. Then, when I’m ready to hop into the saddle, it’s just a question of hosing them off (if they’re muddy) and jumping on board.
I’ve found them comfortable and flexible when in the saddle, but I guess for those who like a thinner/softer boot for schooling purposes, these may not fit the bill.
Performance
Beyond the yard, I also trudge across fields in my Colt Ryder with the dogs in tow.
They keep my feet warm and dry and my only gripe would be that in muddy areas they don’t have quite the traction of wellies and I have had the occasional slip — nothing too serious recently I must admit — but a little sit in a muddy patch isn’t beyond the bounds of possibility after it’s been raining.
These boots are also available in a short length, which Your Horse’s online editor Aimi Clark is currently testing and she will be sharing her review soon.
Final thoughts
All in all, though, these are versatile, warm, comfortable, waterproof, durable and quality yard to saddle boots that I can highly recommend after years of use.
They are built to last, nothing fazes them and, actually, the price is pretty competitive, too.
Key information
Full name: Muck Boot Unisex Colt Ryder Tall Boots
Colour: Black
Sizes: UK3-10
RRP £145
View the full range of Muck Boots
