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Best Winter Horse
Riding Gloves of 2025

Our top picks for keeping hands toasty warm through the cold season!

By RW Crew | Updated: February 18, 2025

As equestrians, we know that horse activities don't stop just because of cold weather. Unfortunately, freezing fingers can make it hard to take care of and ride your beloved horse; plus, it's difficult to hold your reins correctly if you can't feel them!

Equestrians need a particular kind of grip for reins and slippery pitchforks, and any old pair of winter gloves simply won't work for us. Our summer riding gloves with no insulation usually won't be enough for harsher winter weather either. That said, if you live in a temperate climate or are just hoping to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the warmer months, take a look at our best equestrian gloves for summer!

There are many equestrian-specific accessories available to keep you comfortable in even the coldest temps. We know trying to choose the right gear for the winter weather in your area can be daunting, and that is precisely why our crew of equine experts has put together a list of some of the best winter horse riding gloves. We gathered information gained from using these gloves ourselves, along with plenty of feedback from our customers.

Whether your winter is mild or freezing, we have the right gloves to help keep you warm this season!

Horseback rider wearing winter Roeckl gloves while buckling a halter.

Best Winter Horse Riding Gloves
Category Winners

Best Gloves for Barn Chores

Equestrian filling up water bucket with hose while wearing the Mountain Horse Heat Waterproof Winter Gloves.

Mountain Horse Heat Waterproof Winter Gloves

Don't let the winter chill in and freeze your fingers as you complete your daily barn chores! For cold winter days, we love the Mountain Horse Heat Waterproof Winter Gloves to keep hands warm. These gloves feature the best of both worlds when it comes to comfort and durability: the ultra-soft faux fur lining is sure to keep hands and fingers nice and toasty, and the waterproof shell will keep you dry on wet winter days. With an elastic wrist to keep hay and other barnyard debris from getting inside and a grip texture on the palm and fingers, these gloves are ideal for checking every item off of your to-do list.

Key Features: Temperature Rating:

Waterproof

Faux Fur Lining

Elastic Wrist

Grip Texture

Light to Moderate Cold

Materials: 100% Polyester

Best Gloves for Schooling

Rider with their hands on a brown metal railing, wearing the Heritage Performance Fleece Winter Riding Gloves.

Heritage Performance Fleece Winter Riding Gloves

We are big fans of the Heritage Performance Fleece Winter Riding Gloves when it comes time for winter riding! A thick fleece interior will keep your hands warm, and a high-grip, reinforced rein area makes sure you can maintain contact with your reins. Hooray for no stiff, icicle fingers or losing contact! The Velcro wrist closure ensures a secure fit while extra elastic at the knuckles adds further flexibility to a stylish and warm glove. We're sure you'll love these as soon as you put them on and get in the saddle!

Key Features: Temperature Rating:

Thick Fleece

High-Grip Design

Reinforced Rein Area

Velcro Wrist Closure

Elastic Through Knuckles

Light to Moderate Cold

Materials: 54% Synthetic Leather, 44% Acrylic Fleece, 2% PVC Rubber

Best Gloves for Cold Weather Showing

Close up of woman adjusting the leather halter on her bay horse while wearing the Kunkle Fleece Lined Winter Riding Gloves.

Kunkle Fleece Lined Winter Riding Gloves

Competitions are tough enough without frozen fingers! We know the challenge of finding warm gloves that also meet the attire standards for competition. Kunkle designed a winter glove with a textured pebble finish that provides exceptional grip, and the fleece lining reliably keeps any chill out. The classic black leather look is suitable for a variety of disciplines without adding bulk or losing that formal look. You can even machine wash these gloves and use your phone with them!

Key Features: Temperature Rating:

Textured Pebbled Grip

Fleece Lined for Warmth

Classic Styling Suitable for Competition

Machine Washable

Light to Moderate Cold

Materials: 60% PU, 40% Nylon

Best Gloves for Extreme Cold

Woman in a striped long sleeve shirt and overalls, holding a muck fork with the Heritage Arctic Winter Riding Mitten Gloves on.

Heritage Arctic Winter Riding Mitten Gloves

When the snow and ice set in, we turn to the Arctic Winter mitten gloves by Heritage. The 80 grams of 3M Thinsulate provides exceptional protection from the cold, and a zippered pocket for a hand warmer offers even more heat when you need it. The unique design allows you to hold firmly onto whatever you need to, whether it be reins or tools, while making sure your body heat doesn't escape. Whether your snow days entail working or horseback riding, we think these Heritage gloves are the perfect partner!

Key Features: Temperature Rating:

80 Grams of 3M Thinsulate Lining for Warmth

Zippered Hand Warmer Pocket

Unique Three-Finger Design

Good Grip & Durable Outer Shell

Moderate to Heavy Cold

Materials: 77% Polyester, 14% Polyurethane, 9% Nylon

Best Gloves for Trail Riding

Rider closing metal gate with the SSG Digital Winter Fleece Lined Riding Gloves on her hands.

SSG Digital Winter Fleece Lined Riding Gloves

Just because cold winter weather makes its appearance doesn't mean you can't hit the trail, as long as your route remains safe of course! The SSG Digital Winter Fleece Lined Riding Gloves are our top pick for trail riding on chilly days due to their exceptional warmth and grip. A digital grip pattern will ensure that you maintain necessary contact with your reins for optimum communication with your horse. Complete with a sleek look, these durable and breathable gloves are an ideal addition to your winter riding ensemble.

Key Features: Temperature Rating:

Exceptional Grip

Fleece-Lined

Breathable

Digital Grip Pattern

Durable & Versatile

Light to Moderate Cold

Materials: 65% Polyurethane, 35% Nylon Fiber


How to Measure for Horse Riding Gloves

To find your horse riding glove size, measure the circumference of the widest part of your palm (thumb excluded) in inches with a string or soft measuring tape. The circumference of your palm will be your glove size; for example, a hand measuring 7.5" in circumference equals a 7.5 glove size. Please keep in mind that glove sizing varies by brand, so it is best to refer to the brand-specific size chart.

Your horse riding gloves should fit like a second skin but with enough flexibility for you to be able to comfortably bend your fingers. If your gloves are too loose, they will limit your control when holding the reins or other equipment. Look for a close-contact fit; however, we encourage you to go with the larger of two options if you fall between glove sizes.

Diagram with written instructional showing how to measure your hand circumference for your riding glove size. Sizing charts for general women's and men's glove sizing are shown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know which winter gloves are best for me?

A: Buying gloves online can be tricky for some customers, as it's hard to know for certain whether something will feel right until it's in hand (or in the case of gloves, on hand). It might take trying a few different glove styles and sizes to find your perfect pair. You can consider what is important to you in a winter glove to narrow down the choices, such as touch-screen compatibility, insulation, or waterproofing. The best winter gloves for you are the ones that offer both warmth and hand dexterity!

Q: What other winter gear do equestrians need?

A: In terms of accessories, equestrians planning on horseback riding during the winter definitely need a good pair of socks! We invite you to check out our best winter equestrian socks for insight on keeping your feet toasty warm, alongside your hands. We also encourage you to take a look at our best winter jackets for men and women, best winter tights and breeches, as well as our best winter riding boots. Outfit yourself with the appropriate winter gear, and you're sure to be more comfortable while spending time with your horse during the colder months.


Closing Thoughts

We hope this buying guide offered you more insight into an accessory that's necessary for cold winter rides: gloves! They help make life just a little easier when we're out with the horses during those chillier days. Should you have any questions regarding our winter riding glove selection, please reach out to our customer service team at 1-800-620-9145 or info@ridingwarehouse.com for assistance. In the meantime, happy winter riding!

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