Thanks guys! 

Oh no! The boots from Dover only go up to a 9! I have big flipper feet (I'm 5'9") so I can't imagine fitting my big paddles in a size 9.  those that Miss Versatility have look nice, and they went up to a 10.  Now that there are good options for paddock boots and tall boots, which are more comfy?  As I have said, I might show, but I really want something more comfy than sharp looking (though if I can get both that would be awesome) 

Note:  My horses nearly always look nice when I ride (well groomed, all tack matching) but I generally look like a homeless person who decided to jump on a noble steed.  I'm not all that into looks, but I guess if I do show, I shouldn't wear my fav riding pants (tie dyed capri type pajama pants) Oh well, thanks!

thepeacha:

Swing by a local tack store and check out the used stuff

I wish I could! How about this: you find a tack store that carries English stuff w/in 30 miles of zip code 27808 and I'll get you a pair of boots as well!!  There is barely anything western (saddle wise) around here.  You can always go to TSC to get western apparel and things like headstalls and stuff, but for English you are out of luck around here.  My neighbor (who owns a rodeo) looks at me like I'm crazy for buying a Tb (not a Qh, though I couldn't care less about breed) and then riding English.  Oh well, even though I rode in a western saddle my natural style has always been more English.

thepeacha:

She then made me do very painful exercises so maybe don''t correct instructor- note to self....

lol! That's great!

thepeacha:

Best of luck, and I applaud your decision to ride in a brain- bucket too.

 Due to the shape of my feet I cannot wear paddock boots and half chaps (something about it gives me blisters) and I train professionally and spend ALL day walking in my boots.  I HAVE to have boots that are comfortable, durable, and nice looking.  Honestly, the best boots for the buck are the Mountain Horse boots.   Yes you have to spend closer to $200 but think about how much you spend on your Western boots... probably just as much or nearly so.  I have their basic tall boot (the original), the wintertime ice riders, and the field boots (which by the way are durable AND fancy enough to go from everyday use to the showring without needing to purchase a second pair of boots).  The excellent insoles help knee pain, back pain, and fatique, and the grip securely in the stirrups (even without the coordinating stirrup pads available) for security in the saddle.  A lot of my students (especially the kids) purchase the cheaper boots like Saxons, Devon-Aire, etc. for $60-$100 a pop and end up replacing them within the year.  My pair of mountain horse originals are going on 6 years strong (I did have a zipper replaced for $20 last year)- they are even still waterproof in puddles and bad weather, and my feild boots are almost 4 years old and still look brand new (I still show in them).  

Well, I really went 'all-out' when I bought my boots, I had a pair of Dehner's made. I really love them and I have to ride in them even when I am schooling. I guess because of the arthritis in my ankles I have a problem with my feet 'flopping' as I ride when I try to ride in paddock boots (or muckers which is what I was using) and half chaps. I also was told they don't last all that long either (5 years for 'part time use' but only about 2 years for a proffessional who wears them 8 hours a day) To help keep them from breaking down I had an elk-hide lining put in the ankle. It works great for my arthritis but sometimes I can't get them on all the way because they ankle is so stiff.

madel_equestrian:

how much you spend on your Western boots

In most cases that would be true, but for me that would total an outstanding $0.  Backyard/trail rider, not shower, so I never bothered with 'proper attire'  lol

Oh goodness, all these rules!! It's so dang confusing, which is one of the many reasons I haven't shown! Ok, new guidelines:

Cheap (I would be really happy with 60 ish or under all total, though I know that is asking a lot)

Synthentic/Cloth (whatever, just no leather)

Durable

Comfortable

Good grip-it seems like a lot of boots rely on the heel to keep feet from going through stirrups, but if there is good grip your foot stays in better position. 

If I can get all of those and still be able to show in them and look fairly presentable that would be great! This is a lot more complicated than I thought, I figured it was one of those "Stay away from product X, and get product Y if you can, if not get Z" type of deals.  Who would've thought that boot would be harder to pick than a horse or a saddle?

Check into the Equi-Star i mentioned their only 70 dollars and real comfortable, and long lasting

Those rules are only set in stone if you show recognized.  Schooling shows are fine w/ half chaps.

 Well really, picking boots is much simpler than picking a horse or a saddle :)  If you get boots that hurt your feet, the only person you hurt is yourself.  If you buy a cheap saddle you will end up not only hurting your horse, but spending more money in the long run on chiropractor, massuse, and vet bills, not to mention any training bills you incur before you realize the problem is the saddle and not bad behavior.  If you buy a cheap horse of course you sometimes get lucky, especially if you have a good eye for horseflesh, but often times you end up spending more money in training and hopefully not hospital bills!  So don't worry!! this is one of the few things you can go cheap on without worrying about unknowingly hurting your horse!  Plus you can always buy new boots down the road.

 I think I may go for those Equistar boots...I don't know.  I never buy anything for me, so it seems weird to spend money on me!  I am always pouring money on my critters, bc if they need something, they get it. period.

It is really bc of this that I said that it is turning into more of a decision for me to get boots than a saddle or horse.  I had an old saddle that is decent(and actually fits Bails quite well, but will fall apart with too much riding), but I got really lucky and got an awesome deal on a Wintec 500 17.5" all purpose package, so I jumped on that, and Bailey (the only horse I have really gone off looking for (Ta'ceyewi was almost a rescue, and was given to me, Mojo was a rescue, and Rascal was purchased, but that was 12yrs ago) and she just kept popping up, and when I finally gave in and went to test ride her, we 'clicked'. So really I have gotten lucky with horses, they are all so great (well, Bailey can be a ....but when she is not in heat or mad, she is the best horse)

So, I may go for the equistar boots, or possibly those devon-aire paddock boots.  Unless someone pops up and screams not to get them for some reason, or Mo colics, or Max (old poor doggy) needs another vet visit or.... 

i know exactly what you mean i buy clothes for myself about twice a year, buy my boys get everything new halters, leads brushes. I LOVE buying horsey stuff for them :)

 If you haven't bought tall boots yet - look at VTO Saddlery and see what they offer.  My daughter bought a pair of synthetic boots there over 3 years ago for about $50 and they look, fit, and wear well. What was the brand you ask?? Hmmm - good question - maybe DevonAire.  As a teenager she has used them hard without much care and they still look great.

VTOsaddlery.com also has reasonable and quick shipping and always has a lot of clearance items. 

That's what I was trying to point out.  The rules have relaxed at recognized shows as well.  Half chaps are allowed thru first level if they meet the requirements listed in the rules, which really isn't very difficult.  I think they are trying to make it a little easier for people to show.

Awesome thanks so much!!! I will be getting on there as soon as I get a chance! Of course, as soon as I got home last night, Mo was up, then down, then up....guess who is trying to colic?  So, boots will probably hold off until I can get him up and going better.  I knew he was acting a little odd, but preemptive new grass, mineral oil, salt, and metamucil still didn't do the trick.  Horses can be so relaxing. ha, yeah right....I love 'em though!

dressagedude:

The rules have relaxed at recognized shows as well.

I wasn't arguing with that! It's just that I have spent my life doing what I want to on a horse, or really mostly what my horses wanted to do.  No rules, just what worked best for us.  For instance, even though I rode western, Rascal moves more English, or my riding in pajamas.  It just didn't matter!  So going from that to any rules gets confusing. I have focuesd on riding and riding well, and most importantly having fun, so to try to focus on what clothes are allowed is just different for me.  Dressage just looks like so much fun, and so does full out eventing, I think I am just to chicken for that, but Bailey would do well, so there is not telling....