what are chaps for

Chaps are sturdy coverings for the legs consisting of leggings and a belt, and are intended to protect the legs of cowboys from contact with daily environmental hazards seen in working with cattle, horses, and other livestock. They help to protect riders legs from scraping on brush, injury from thorns of cacti, sagebrush, mesquite, and other thorny vegetation. Leather chaps stick to a leather saddle or a bareback horse better than fabric trousers and thus help the rider stay on. Chaps are usually worn over denim jeans or other trousers of heavy material, and have their own belt, usually fitted around the hips, resting below the belt loops of the trousers. They are also useful for other types of riding. Wearing full chaps for riding, and even for mucking out and yard work, protects the rider from the cold, wind, and wet.