EquineEmbracer

I bought a pair of 'new' (only been worn twice prior) Ariat Heratige pull-on field boots (my very first pair!). Obviously, they hadn't been broken in yet but there were very light creases around the ankles when I got them. So far I've been walking around the house in them, go up & down stairs, stand on the edge of a stair and let my heels drop, moved the leather around with my hands, rubber-banded them at night, and used a warm wet cloth around the ankles to make the leather softer.

My main problem is that, even after two straight weeks of this, my boots are still hardly broken in! Is there anything else I can do to help with the break-in process besides riding in them (I only get to ride once a week)?

I don't have any leather oil or conditioner yet because all the tack shops in my city are a half-hour drive away from my house. Is it imperative to buy conditioner to help break these boots in? If so then how much do I apply & how often?

Thanks very much in advance!

I currently school & show in tan knee patch breeches, currently only in schooling shows. At my barn, there seems to be a trend towards knee patch breeches.

What are the pros and cons of full seat and knee patch breeches, and is there a 'preffered' style when showing? What kind do you ride in?

I do have a limited budget (thats the life of a highschooler, haha) plus I only ride seasonally so I'd rather spend a good amount on one pair of schooling & show breeches rather than buy seperate pairs.

Thank you all in advance! :)

I have long, straight hair that goes down to about halfway down my back. When showing (I currently only show at schooling shows), what is the best way to put it up? I was thinking a bun and a hair net but my hair doesn't go into a bun that easily. Would a low braid tied with a black bow be acceptable in lower-level jumping and dressage schooling shows?

How do you tie your hair when showing, and do you use a hairnet?

Thank you in advance! :)