The Complete Handbook of Equestrian Gloves
A professional guide to selection, fit, maintenance, and business opportunity for riders, trainers, and resellers
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The complete reference for choosing, maintaining, and profiting from equestrian gloves—grounded in material science, fit methodology, and real-world performance.
About this book
Equestrian gloves seem simple: leather, elastic, seams. But fit, material choice, and maintenance directly affect grip, hand fatigue, rein control, and safety across disciplines from dressage to jumping to working equitation. Most riders and professionals choose gloves by trial and error, or default to whatever fits the budget.
This handbook cuts through the confusion. Chapter by chapter, you'll learn why different materials perform differently in wet conditions, how to measure for a proper fit that prevents seam failure and blister formation, what constitutes genuine quality versus marketing, and how to diagnose common wear patterns. You'll also find concrete frameworks for building a business around gloves—whether through reselling, private-label manufacturing, rental programs, or barn consulting.
Drawn from professional riding experience, material science, and industry supply chains, this is the reference that riders, trainers, barn managers, and entrepreneurs have been missing.
Reader Reviews
Jonathan Sanchez
★★★★★Finally, a book that treats gloves as serious equipment instead of an afterthought. Chapter 1 alone clarified why my hands were fatiguing on long rides—I'd been choosing gloves for looks rather than grip surface and closure fit. The biomechanics explanation made it click. I've already bought a second pair based on the selection framework in Chapter 3, and I'm recommending this to everyone at my barn. Exactly what I needed.
Brian Taylor
★★★★★Good practical information, especially on maintenance and the business side. The material science in Chapter 1 was helpful for understanding leather versus synthetic performance in wet conditions. That said, I found some sections repetitive—the chapter summaries and glossary cover the same ground—and I wish there were more photos or comparison tables of actual glove models. Still worth reading if you're serious about your equipment, but not a page-turner.
Lisa King
★★★★★This is the reference I'll keep on my desk. I run a riding program and deal with constant questions about glove fitting and durability. Chapter 1 gives me language to explain why seam placement matters, and Chapter 6 is gold for anyone thinking about buying gloves in bulk or testing a rental model. My only minor gripe: the glossary feels a bit thin on brand-specific terms, but everything else is spot-on and directly usable.
Paul White
★★★★★Solid handbook with real practical value. The troubleshooting section in Chapter 5 helped me figure out why my preferred gloves kept splitting at the seams (turns out my measurement was off). Chapter 1's explanation of grip biomechanics was interesting but felt a bit technical for what's essentially a gear guide. Overall, it's better than relying on online reviews and asking random people on forums, but I wanted a bit more on actual brand recommendations—the book plays it pretty neutral.