Whether you are out trailing on the back of your horse or doing endurance training, a watch is an important tool for you. You can use it to time your sessions, race, or keep track of time without your phone.
However, not every watch can survive the daily abuse, shock, and pressure of your arm movements while riding a horse. Some of them can even fall apart on the first day in the field. That’s why only top-quality equestrian watches for horse riding should be considered by you.
There are various watch brands like Longines that makes dedicated watches for horseback rider like you. But that’s a name everyone knows about, that’s why I went out to find other watches which will appeal to the rider in you. I have listed feasible watches for horse riders that are rugged and smart-looking. Along with that, I have also researched smartwatches that come with app support for horse ride tracking.
Moreover, I have ensured that watches shortlisted don’t come with a humongous dial so they won’t feel uncomfortable while riding. So after intense scrutiny, I have shortlisted the 10 best watches and smartwatches available for horseback riding.
Quick Links To Read Specific Parts Of The Article:
- Best Watch For Horse Riding Comparison Table
- Best Feasible Watches For Horseback Riding
- Best GPS Smartwatches For Horse Riding
- Luxury Longines Watches For Horseback Riding
- Best Watches With Horses On The Dial
- Things To Keep In Mind Before Selecting Equestrian Watch For Yourself
- FAQs
Best Watch For Horse Riding Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Watch For Horse Riding  | Momentum M1 Unisex Watch |
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Best GPS Smartwatch For Horse Riding  | Garmin Fenix 6S Pro |
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Best Longines Watch For Horse Riding  | Longines Equestrian Mother Of Pearls |
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Best Watch With Stopwatch For Horse Racing  | Casio DW5600DC-8 G-Shock Pale Blue |
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Best Feasible Watches For Horseback Riding
1. Nixon Siren SS
Digital watches are considered to be one of the best types of watches anyone can buy. They are reasonably priced, durable, multi-featured, and shock-resistant. One name that is known for making consistently good and durable watches, especially for surfers is Nixon. And, this right here Siren SS is a stylish and reasonably priced watch for horseback riders like yourself.
The watch features a square case that is 36mm across, it is the perfect size for riders who wear gloves and require a small watch. You wouldn’t want a bulky watch that would feel irritating under the gloves, or, show coat, or shirt. Similarly, the strap on the watch is only 18mm wide which is comfortable to wear.
Another benefit of this digital watch is that you can keep track of the date and set alarms using the watch. Also considering that the watch is button-operated, you won’t find a problem operating the watch while wearing the gloves. After your training, you can wear the watch into the shower without any worries as it is water-resistant up to 100m.
Now what sets it apart from other contenders on this list is that it’s very reasonably priced and offers ideal specs for riders. Considering all that, and also the fact that this watch is available in black/rose gold, navy/gold, and silver iridescent colors make it one of the best watches for horse riding.
2. Momentum Unisex M1 Splash Watch
If you prefer analog watches over digital ones then this next watch from Momentum will be the perfect match for you. It features an analog display which some users find more familiar and easy to use.
Analog display isn’t the only thing going for the watch as it also has features that can be useful for horse riders like you. First and foremost, the watch features sapphire glass which is the toughest glass used by all high-end watches. In fact, sapphire is rated 9 out of 10 on a Mohs scale of hardness, making it one of the toughest materials after diamonds.
While sapphire glass is almost perfect but like all the glass materials it also faces the same problem, glare under the sunlight. That’s why this watch has an anti-reflective coating on the glass which ensures time on it is easy to read in the daytime.
Along with that, you get a unidirectional rotating bezel that can be used to time your horse riding sessions. Simply point the rotating bezel to wherever minute hand is pointing to time your activity.
When you are playing sports it’s easy to lose track of time and before you know it, it’s dark outside. And, it’s no secret that most watches are hard to read in low light especially non-digital watches. That’s why this watch comes with a luminous coating on hour markings and watch hands that glow in the dark. So when coming back late from your practice, you will be able to read the time even in the low light.
Besides all that, this is also one of the best affordable watches for diving as it is water-resistant up to 200m. All in all, this is a great men’s as well as women’s horse riding watch available on Amazon. Just ensure that you are selecting the sapphire version of the watch before adding the watch to your cart. I assure you that you won’t be disappointed with the performance of the watch.
3. Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Quartz Dive Watch
The next watch on my list is from well known Japanese brand Citizen and it is perfect for those who desire a watch with a big dial. Allow me to introduce you to the Citizen’s Eco-Drive Promaster watch.
This Citizen watch comes with a dial size of 44mm so it will be the best analog watch for horse riders who have big wrists. Along with that, you get a 20mm silicone strap with the watch which ensures that the watch gives you a sturdy grip while riding the horse.
Moreover, the unique placement of the crown makes sure that it doesn’t dig or poke into your wrist while riding. However, what makes it an ideal watch is that the watch comes with an eco-drive function. To put it simply, whenever you will wear the watch, it will charge itself using solar or artificial fluorescent lighting. So whether you are outside riding the horse or resting at home, the watch will charge itself using the light.
Horse riding isn’t the only forte of the watch as it is also an ISO-certified watch for diving, it can survive 200m deep underwater with ease. One thing to note here is that ISO certified watches are highly durable and shock-resistant. Hence, even if you aren’t a diver you can rest easy knowing that watch won’t break while riding.
For better durability, the watch features a screw-down crown that ensures dust and moisture can’t easily enter the timepiece. This makes the watch a great option for endurance horse riding as sweat and dust won’t be an issue for it.
This watch for horseback riding also features a uni-directional rotating bezel that you can use to time breaks in between your training. In my opinion, this is a sharp-looking multi-feature watch that can accompany you and your horse easily. While it might be a little expensive but 5 years warranty more than makes up for it.
4. Casio DW5600DC-8 G-Shock Pale Blue
When it comes to making rugged and cool-looking watches then without a doubt G-Shock takes the cake. They are known for making rough & tough watches that are shock, water, and fall-resistant. And, this next G-Shock watch is no different as it is water-resistant up to 200m and has great build quality.
However, what sets it apart from other G-Shock watches is that it is designed to keep fashion-oriented users in mind. The watch sports a beautiful pale blue color that suits the 43mm square case of the watch. So whether you wear it while horse riding or while wearing casual clothing, the watch will look good on you.
Besides good looks, the watch allows you to time your horse racing using the stopwatch function on it. You can even set an alarm for your daily practice or use the timer function for training drills. The watch also has a built-in calendar function that tells the day and date along with time.
In my opinion, this is one of the best watches for horse riding as the watch is made of resin material. It is a highly durable and lightweight material so during long trail riding sessions you won’t find the watch to be bulky. And, it can easily withstand all the shock and constant vibration that you endure while riding a horse.
Best GPS Smartwatches For Horse Riding
Without a doubt, watches are a good tool to keep track of time but smartwatches can make the experience even better. Today smartwatches can do a lot more than just simple timekeeping.
For instance, using a smartwatch you can see who is calling you without worrying about your phone. This allows you to focus solely on your training and forget about your phone. Some watches even have the cellular option on them so you won’t even have to carry your phone with you.
Secondly, all the modern smartwatches come with a GPS function so you can track your horseriding in real-time without your phone. Once you are done then you can view the route you have taken, speed, distance covered, and more using the watch. Not all watches have a built-in profile for equestrians but you can use cycling and other similar modes using modern smartwatches.
However, some smartwatches do come with apps for horse riding that can make the training even more fun. These are just some of the many benefits that you can get using modern smartwatches. So keeping them in mind I have shortlisted the 2 best smartwatches available for horseriders like yourself.
5. Apple Watch Series 6
The first smartwatch on our list is none other than Apple Watch Series 6. This smartwatch allows you to sync and read your notifications whether it’s messages, Instagram DMs, app alerts, and more. You can even reply to text messages and pick up calls as this watch comes with a built-in speaker and microphone. This feature allows you to continue focusing on your horse riding without worrying about missing the important call and texts.
Moreover, Apple Watch features an always-on retina display that lets you read the screen even under direct sunlight. So you will be able to operate the screen on bright sunny days without any issues. The watch also comes with various built-in profiles for sports and fitness activities that help to achieve your fitness goals.
However, what makes it a contender for the best smartwatch for horse riders is the access to App Store. Using the App Store, you will be able to find various apps like Equilab, Horse riding tracker, and more.
During my research, I found Equilab to be very popular among equestrian enthusiasts. This app allows users to add individual horses with their names on the watch. Once done, you can select your desired horse on the app and start tracking ride sessions from the watch itself. While tracking, the watch screen will show you the distance covered, the time elapsed, and the speed in real-time.
After completing the ride, you can get in-depth information on your iPhone within the Equilab app. It will show you various important metrics like strides, and even how long were you cantering, trotting, and walking while riding. You can keep a log of your daily horse riding & compare performance and more using the app.
One major shortcoming of the app is that you would need to have your phone with you all the time to track your riding. However, you can solve this problem by going with the cellular version of the Apple Watch. Given so many features, this just might be the best Apple Watch app available for horse riders.
In my opinion, this is a great smartwatch from Apple and not just because of horse riding but due to the overall features offered by it. The watch comes with the support of contactless payments, music storage, and fitness tracking making it an attractive package.
6. Garmin Fenix 6S Pro
The next smartwatch for horse riding on our list is the Garmin Fenix 6S Pro which is considered to be one of the best watches for fitness and sports activities. Moreover, this watch meets the US military standard for durability and resistance against shock & water making it ideal for horse riding.
It is also the perfect GPS watch for horseriding as it has the ability to track your location for more than 6 hours continuously. And, in simple smartwatch mode, you will get a battery life of almost a week on a single charge.
If you are a sports athlete then you will find that Garmin Connect App offers you a treasure trove of data for your activities. You can track Skiing using the watch, record hike, run, or swim sessions, count your reps in the gym, and a lot more. Moreover, you can join the Garmin community, participate in events, and earn Garmin badges within the app.
Similarly, you can download apps like Outdoor Sport+ and Horseback riding from the Garmin App Store. Using the horseback riding app, you will be able to track ride speed and elevation while trail riding. If you don’t want to buy the app then you can also use the cycling mode available on the watch. You can even create your own sports profile on the watch to track the metric that matters the most to you.
Outside the ranch, you will be able to use features like Garmin Pay for contactless payment, music playback through Amazon prime & Spotify apps, and a lot more. And, the biggest benefit of going with Garmin is that it supports both Android and iOS devices. Therefore, even if you change your phone in the future you won’t have to worry about the compatibility of the watch with your phone.
All in all, this is the ideal Garmin watch for horse riding as it is comparably smaller than various other Garmin smartwatch offerings. Despite the small dimensions, the Garmin has made no compromises and you will get all the features that they have to offer. Hence, if you are looking for a watch for horse riding from a major fitness brand then this one will be the perfect watch for you.
Best Luxury Longines Watches For Horseback Riding
When it comes to sports, various luxury brands have partnerships with various tournaments and events all over the world. Like Omega watches are associated with the Olympics, Hublot watches with Football, Tag Heuer watches with racing, and similarly, Longines luxury watches are famous for horse racing.
In 1878, Longines made a watch with Jockey and mount design on the chronograph. The watch exploded in popularity and was one of the most sought-after watches by Equestrians. Seeing the response it got, Longines formed a partnership with a jump show competition. Ever since then, this partnership has only grown stronger and today company sponsors major competitions around the world. You can even find a dedicated calendar on their website for all the upcoming horse riding events sponsored by them. You can check the calendar out, here.
There is a dedicated lineup of Equestrian watches from Longines but I have shortlisted the 2 best Longines watches for horse riders like yourself.
7. Longines Equestrian Mother Of Pearls
If you like beautiful-looking watches that will look no less than a crown then you are gonna love this Longines watch. This watch comes with a breathtaking mother of pearl dial that will look gorgeous with all your dresses. Its looks are further enhanced by the gorgeous diamonds embedded on the dial as hour markings.
Talking about the dimensions, the rectangle case of the watch is 24.7 across and it is accompanied by a petite 14mm strap. The small dimensions of the watch ensure that it is comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
In the durability department, the watch sports a sapphire crystal that protects the dial from day-to-day damage. And, it is also water-resistant up to 30m so rain, sweat, and occasional splashes are not an issue for it. However, I won’t recommend swimming or other similar activity with the watch as it doesn’t meet specifications for that.
All in all, this is a great watch from Longines for horse racing enthusiasts as it comes with a Swiss quartz movement, real diamonds & a mother of pearl dial. Compared to other Swiss-made watches this one is quite reasonably priced.
8. Longines Equestrian Black Diamond Dial
Diamond is timeless and that’s why it is one of the most sought-after jewels in the world. And, next Longines watch on the list for those who love horses as well as diamond watches. The watch features 11 diamonds on the dial and 50 plus diamonds on the horseshoe-like bezel of the watch.
Overall aesthetics of the watch oozes luxury and ensures that you stand out from the crowd. Compared to the previous Longines watch, this one features a slightly bigger 26mm dial. Along with that, you get a 12mm leather strap which is lightweight and quite comfortable to wear compared to the bracelet strap.
Besides looks and comfort, the watch also offers a date window feature at the 3 o’clock position. Moreover, this watch does more than a decent job of timekeeping as it comes with a quartz movement. For the protection of the dial, it features sapphire glass which is the best glass that can be used on a watch.
While this might be an expensive watch but its unique bezel design, diamond engraving, and performance, makes it worth the price. And whenever you will wear this watch, no matter whether you are attending a sports event, party, or office, it will look pretty on you.
Best Watches With Horses On The Dial
9. US Polo Assn Men’s Watch
If you want to announce your love for horses to the world then you are gonna love US Polo Assn Men’s Watch. This watch comes with horses on the dial which shows two men playing Polo.
Besides the design, the watch also delivers on the performance front as it features a quartz movement for timekeeping. The case of the watch is 52mm in diameter which makes it a suitable watch for users with a big wrist. And, the accompanying strap of the watch is 22.7mm wide which gives the watch a dominant look.
There are also a few shortcomings of this US Polo watch. First and foremost, it doesn’t offer any waterproofing protection so exposure to water can damage the watch. Plus, it doesn’t have any high-quality sapphire or hardlex glass for protection. However, considering the price tag of around $30 at the time of writing, it doesn’t make the watch a bad deal either.
10. US Polo Assn Women’s Quartz Watch
The next watch with a horse design on the dial is for women. This watch comes with exquisite dual-tone silver and rose gold finish which gives the watch a premium look. Even the horse design on the dial of the watch has the same dual-tone color design. The looks of the watch are enhanced even further by roman numeral markers on the dial.
Talking about the dimensions, the watch features a 41mm case size which makes it a big watch for ladies. Similarly, the watch features a 21mm bracelet strap which goes well with the big dial size.
At the time of writing, this watch is very aggressively priced and is available for around $20. I don’t think, I am exaggerating when I say the price doesn’t match the looks of the watch. On a final note, I would say this is a good affordable women’s watch for horse lovers so do check it out.
Things To Keep In Mind Before Selecting Equestrian Watch For Yourself
I have listed four types of equestrian watches: Feasible watches, luxury watches, smartwatches, and simple watches with a horse design on them. Each type is made for a different type of horse enthusiasts, so let’s discuss them in detail.
1. Feasible Watch
As the name indicates these watches are more practical for daily use while riding the horses. These watches have a very good build quality and are shock-resistant. These specs will come in very handy as they will ensure that watch won’t get damaged by fast hand movement and the constant vibration of the horse.
Moreover, I have ensured that all the watches are also good-looking so you can wear them on social and professional occasions as well.
2. Smartwatches
I have listed the two best smartwatches available for horse riders on the market right now. Both the watches have their own merit and are perfect depending on the user. Apple watch offers better horse riding analysis through third-party apps compared to Fenix. However, Fenix offers better multi-sports tracking, health, and wellness tracking, along with a very good battery life with the smartwatch.
3. Luxury Longines Equestrian Watch
These watches will be perfect for attending horse racing events, parties, weekend outings, meetings, and various other occasions. However, they are very expensive compared to other watches on the list. Because Longines is a Swiss brand and is also quite popular among the horse enthusiasts community. Moreover, watches from them even sports real diamonds on the dial of the watch. If style is your priority then you should go with Longines watches.
4. Watches With Horses On Them
These are simple cheap watches with horse designs on the dial. So if you are looking for an affordable watch that tells everyone you like horses in not so subtle way then go with them. Except for horse design, there isn’t anything else special with these watches.
FAQs
What Is The Best Watch For Horse Riding?
Momentum Unisex M1 Splash Watch is the best watch for horse riding in my opinion as the watch features a sapphire glass on the dial.
Can Garmin Track Horse Riding?
Garmin doesn't have built-in sports tracking profile for horse riding but you can install third-party apps like Outdoor sports+ and Horseback riding to track your horse riding. You can even create your own sports profile to track all the metrics that are important for you.
Does Apple Watch Track Horse Riding?
Apple Watch doesn't have a built-in horse riding tracking profile but you can use various third apps like Equilab from the App Store.
Do You Have To Pay For Equilab?
Yes, you will require a paid subscription plan to use the Equilab app on your watch and smartphone.
