I have several pairs of gloves at the yard and I consider them to be almost essential. Almost because I don`t wear them all the time. In cold weather obviously they are really useful and are a good idea when riding, but they are not so good around the yard when you need to put your hands in a bucket of water. Harry Hall Cotton Pimple Gloves are relatively cheap and fairly versatile and have a place in my yard for use when I feel like it.
I don`t wear gloves all the time. They get dirty, wet and can get in the way.
All through winter my hands are shocking. I do my best to apply handcream almost continuously which helps, but whenever I decide to protect my hands with gloves, it doesn`t always go according to plan. Gloves are primarily used for riding, but the Harry Hall Cotton Pimple ones aren`t specific to riding, they can be used for yard duties aswell. I start off with good intentions. I can muck out a stable with gloves on, I can fill a haylage net with gloves on (and this really helps), I can even groom a horse with gloves on, but try doing anything else and the gloves usually come off (they don`t fall off, I take them off!). As soon as you start bringing horses in from the field (luckily now they are spending more time out), as soon as you get to the yard and have to clean their muddy feet off, you have to take the gloves off before putting your hands in a bucket of water. It is the same when filling up water buckets, you can almost guarantee that you will spill the water on your gloves, making them soaking wet. The Harry Hall Cotton Pimple gloves are not suprisingly cotton, so they do not dry quickly. However, saying that, they are ideal for carrying things around the yard as the pimple grips make them easy to carry. It isn`t straightforward either to take your gloves off before submerging them in water and replace the gloves afterwards. The gloves don`t easily go on the wet hands, and we don`t have washing and drying facilities at the yard. I did try waterproof gardening gloves for around the yard for `wet` work. However, I found them to be a bit like waterproof jackets, they are not waterproof for long. I have a nice bright green pair and a nice pair covered in ladybirds for the yard, but I don`t use them due to them not being very waterproof. At least if the Harry Hall Cotton Pimple gloves get wet, they can be easily washed and dried.
Harry Hall Cotton Pimple Gloves are resaonably priced at £4.99 at most equestrian outlets, the internet etc. They are cotton, mine are blue, but I have seen green and black, if fact I have had black, several black. The palms of the hands and down the fingers have little rubber pimples all the way down on the palm side. This helps to provide some grip. The gloves are good, but being cotton, they are not always a great fit. They do not have any flexibility so can be a bit restrictive, not so as it is a problem, but it makes you aware of it.
When do I use them? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I use the Harry Hall Cotton Pimple gloves mainly for hacking. I don`t always wear gloves hacking, so mainly in cold weather. I bought these gloves years ago. They are good to keep a pair of and for hacking they are my first choice, but would not be for any other discipline due to the fact that they can be a bit restrictive. As already mentioned, they are great around the yard, but not if using water. There are some times I would use them more than others.
Picnic Rides. * * * * * * * * * * *
Anyone who has been on a picnic ride will know that horses enjoy being in a big group, especially when cantering and they can become more excitable than usual. Last August I took my new 4 year old on a lovely picnic ride accross the moor which lasted a few hours. She was great, especially considering her age. She was lovely and calm cantering, she liked to be at the front though. When we reached the river she had never been in one before and we went from the front to the back of about 60 horses. Eventually she leapt in without warning so I had to quickly sit up to avoid being deposited in the water. All in all it was a great ride, but I forgot my gloves. The 3rd finger on each hand, where the reins go, were both bleeding. It was really painfull. A man lent me some string gloves and it was such a relief. I didn`t catch find him at the end though to give them back so I felt really guilty. He had said earlier though, it didn`t matter if I didn`t give them back as they were old. I really wished I had remembered my Harry Hall Cottom Pimple Gloves though, but at least he saved me.
I took my other mare on a different picnic ride on another part of the moor. We were in the saddle for four and a half hours but stopped for lunch. She is a thoroughbred and has the annoying habit of throwing her head down quite often which a lot of them do. I had my gloves on and after that long in the saddle and being pulled forward at least 600 times, you really appreciate your Harry Hall Cotton Pimple Gloves I CAN ASSURE YOU.
Shows. * * * * * *
When riding at a show, you must wear gloves. When I recently went to a low key dressage competition, I forgot my gloves. I was nervous enough as it was and they said they would let my in THIS TIME without gloves but don`t let so and so see. That made me feel a lot better (not) but at least I was allowed to ride. So, never forget your gloves if competing. If showing the gloves need to be smart so I would tend not to use the Harry Hall Cotton Pimple Gloves for showing. Also, with dressage and showing, you need more `feel` so more sensitive gloves are better ie. thin leather ones. Showjumping also requires a smart turnout. I tend to wear leather gloves for showjumping as they are smart, have some `give` as well as providing enough grip. You need to be able to move with the horse, so it is no good your gloves being restrictive.
Value For Money. * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I consider these gloves to be good value. They are perfect for regular use for hacking and picnic rides. They are easy to put on and are fairly long lasting. I have had a hole in mine, but they do get a lot of wear and leather gloves get holes also. For the price, I would recommend them. I only have awarded them 3 stars as I find them too restrictive, but they are hardwearing and perfect for long rides.
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