Product Review: Kerrits Horse Sense Half Zip Riding Shirt

Welcome to EN’s Product Review series! Who doesn’t love shopping, especially when the object of your search is new gear for yourself or your horse? As an enthusiast of all products equine, I LOVE trying out new gear. Please join me as I narrate my personal journey of trying out all of the products featured. While I will make no recommendations, I hope you have fun reading about my many adventures of trying new products, and that hearing about my personal experiences helps you on your own quest for new gear. Go Shopping.

Kerrits Horse Sense Half Zip Riding Shirt. Photo by Lorraine Peachey. Kerrits Horse Sense Half Zip Riding Shirt. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

Life has been pretty hectic over the past several months. With so much going on at work and personally, I feel like I’m busy, busy, busy. All of that hustle and bustle can be a draining at times, which means that I need my time in the saddle all the more.

This past summer, I’ve been able to really find a connection with my up-and-coming young horse. It’s his second year under saddle, and by spending so much time in the tack, we’ve become a more confident pair.

Of all of our adventures this year, my very favorite thing to do has been going out on cross country hacks. Daring adventure? Check. Water crossings? Check. Riding up and down hills? Check. And last (but not least) … running into all sorts of creatures? Double check.

Riding out is one of my favorite ways to spend time in the saddle. It is an amazing way to connect with your horse and feel at peace with nature, all while getting your horse fit and growing more confident.

But I’m not me if I’m not outfitting myself in stylish and appropriate riding attire too! With fall finally setting in, I’ve been trading in my Ice Fil tights and sun shirts for something a little more substantial. After all, I need something to protect me from getting a chill as the temperatures drop.

Something that I like about the Horse Sense Half Zip is that the sleeve length is long enough for even my arms. And...those longer sleeves even have thumb holes to help keep the sleeves in place. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

Something that I like about the Horse Sense Half Zip is that the sleeve length is long enough for even my arms. The longer sleeves even have thumb holes to help keep the sleeves in place. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

This season, I’ve been wearing the Horse Sense Half Zip Riding Shirt from Kerrits. Over the years, the Kerrits brand has found a permanent place in my wardrobe, in part, because their designs are fashionable and affordable. I also love that many of their styles are made in the USA.

From the first time I saw the design of the Horse Sense Half Zip, I was hooked on the print. The exclusive Horse Sense print is both fun and fabulous looking, so I can feel like a big kid and look great.

When I pull the Horse Sense Half Zip on, I get the feeling that I’m wrapping myself in a snuggly blanket. The four-way stretch fabric is softly brushed on the inner side, which feels nice against my skin and stays comfortable all day long.

As a tall sort of gal, I have arms on the longer side. At 5’9″, it is difficult for me to feel comfortable with many sleeve lengths. Something that I like about the Horse Sense Half Zip is that the sleeve length is long enough for even my arms.

The longer sleeves even have thumb holes to help keep the sleeves in place, so even on cool days when I pull over an extra layer over my Horse Sense top, I don’t have to worry about my sleeves riding up, which is fabulous!

I'm happy to report that the super smooth and comfortable fabric also wears really well. An unexpected  bonus is that it easily sheds dirt and hay. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

I’m happy to report that the super smooth and comfortable fabric also wears really well. An unexpected bonus is that it easily sheds dirt and hay. Photo by Lorraine Peachey.

Another terrific feature of the Horse Sense Half Zip top is … the half zip! I wear a lot of quarter-zip tops. The 10-inch zipper of the Horse Sense top is longer than I’m used to, and I like that it offers me ventilation options, especially with the changing Fall temperatures.

During the time I’ve spent riding in the Horse Sense Half Zip top, I’ve found it to provide comfortable performance. I favor the pattern in Black, which pairs with tan, black and gray breeches for a terrific and fashion-forward look.

I can pull on the top to ride on both warmer and cooler days without worry, because I can simply adjust the half zip in order to stay comfortable in varying temperatures. On really chilly days, I find that I like to use the Horse Sense as a base layer and pull on a jacket over top.

I’m also happy to report that the super smooth and comfortable fabric also wears really well. An unexpected bonus is that it easily sheds dirt and hay. Even better, the Horse Sense is made in the USA and takes a cold wash, tumble dry low.

The Kerrits Horse Sense Half Zip is available in size XS through 2X. Colors include Dusk, Denim, Bison and Black. It retails for $69.00, and you can find it here.

Go Riding in Comfort and Style. Go Kerrits. Go Eventing.