The Mountain Horse Flash Deluxe Parka is a knee-length coat that I found comfortable to wear while doing tasks around the yard as well as in the saddle for hacking and light schooling.
An added bonus is that the wind and water resistant outer material is impressively reflective in the dark, as shown below. Both the coat and the removable hood have a lightly quilted lining, which makes it ideal for those autumn days when the temperatures are starting to fall away, but it’s not yet bitterly cold.
The outer material is impressively reflective in the dark
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My first impressions of this coat was that it was not bulky to wear, allowing me to move around easily both while doing chores and when in the saddle. It keeps the chill off, but is not so warm that I felt the need to remove it as soon as I started doing active tasks like poo picking. I’m 5ft4in and a UK 8/10 and had a size small to test. It was a good fit with a decent length, coming down to around my knees, similar to many of the best long winter riding coats. It’s available in XS–XXL.
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The hood is generously sized but has good options to adjust the fit to suit heads of all sizes. While I was initially concerned that the “peak” of the hood felt a little flimsy, once I had the hood adjusted correctly it did its job of preventing water dripping down on to my face in the rain.
I really like the wrist cuffs on this coat, which are thin and very stretchy so great for preventing drafts without being restrictive. They don’t stick out beyond the end of coat’s arms while being worn, so stay dry, and there are useful Velcro adjustments on the wrists too.
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The two side pockets are of a good size with zips that are easy to open and close one handed. However, I was disappointed there was no phone pocket on either the inside or outside of the jacket at the chest, which I would find useful.
The collar has a soft lining that makes it very comfortable to wear when fully secured. The two-way zip is easy to use with just one hand and it is protected with a storm flap over the top that is secured by press studs with a cover to the top of the zip for added comfort.
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The coat has the Mountain Horse logo across the back and is fitted with a single rear riding vent secured with press studs, which is easy to open once in the saddle if you forget to do so before you mount, as shown below.
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I’ve ridden out in the Mountain Horse Flash Deluxe Parka in both drizzle/light rain and steady rain for up to about 40mins with absolutely no signs of leakage – my body, arms and thighs all remained bone dry, just my knees got wet as it doesn’t quite cover those. It protected the saddle well too. I also didn’t get rain dripping down the inside of my neck, even though I wasn’t wearing the hood. Bearing in mind it is described as “water resistant”, rather than “waterproof”, I’m very impressed with how well it stood up to the conditions.
The Mountain Horse Flash Deluxe Parka stood up to steady autumn rain well.
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The coat dries off fairly quickly when hung up at room temperature.
After a dozen or so rides, I have noticed that the quilted stitching on the inside of the lower part of the coat has started to pill. The stitching remains secure and this doesn’t affect the jacket’s use, but it does make it appear less smart on the inside.
The inside of the Mountain Horse Flash Deluxe Parka showing some pilling of the stitching
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Verdict
A useful coat for the changeable autumn and spring weather.
Who tested the Mountain Horse Flash Deluxe Parka?
Carol Phillips is Horse & Hound’s website editor, who has ridden since childhood. While her own horse is currently having some time turned away after an injury, she typically rides friends’ horses three or four times a week.
Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.
