what is the purpose of chaps

Chaps are sturdy coverings for the legs consisting of leggings and a belt, which are buckled on over trousers with the chaps integrated belt. They are intended to protect the legs of cowboys from contact with daily environmental hazards seen in working with cattle, horses, and other livestock. The purpose of chaps is to protect riders' legs from scraping on brush, injury from thorns of cacti, sagebrush, mesquite, and other thorny vegetation. They also help to prevent the stirrup straps from pinching the lower leg and offer protection from the weather. 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 they have their own belt, usually fitted around the hips, resting below the belt loops of the trousers.