First worn in the 17th
century by soldiers in the British army, tall riding boots were invented to
protect the legs of soldiers while at the same time providing control over the
animal. Left unchanged for centuries, riding boots through the 18th
and early 19th century in the Unites States, including those worn in
the Civil War, dawned similar features to their predecessors. For centuries, tall
heals, spurs and toe plates were key design features of riding boots, all
essential in controlling horses and ensuring the safety of
riders.
Although horses as a means
of transportation and militia became less popularized in the 20th century, tall
boots did not lose their fashion and instead adapted to urban living. Tall and
sturdy heals, spurs and toe plates––which were once essential in boot design––fell out of fashion. Zippers, which were once an unpopular choice in boot
manufacturing because of their inability to function in dirty and muddy
climates, were introduced both for aesthetic purposes as well as for comfort
and convenience.
Whereas riding boots for
generations worked to please function over form, today, aesthetic
considerations weigh heavily in boot design. Countless materials, colors and
styles now exist in the boot industry, most of which would be useless if
actually put to the test on a horse.
