What to Wear to Horse Riding Lessons?

Dressing up for horseback riding lessons is a relaxed affair, but you still need to wear the appropriate items for comfort and contact with your horse. You'll need a helmet, breeches, a shirt that breathes and moves with you, and boots. Here at Equoware, we have a great selection of clothing for when you're looking for what to wear to horse riding lessons. Meanwhile, here's a look at the essentials you'll need to wear during a lesson. 

Riding Helmet

The riding helmet is the most important part of your wardrobe for horseback riding as it protects your head from serious injury. Schooling helmets provide excellent protection, and are designed to be comfortable while you're wearing one. You always want to be sure to be looking at certified helmets as well, for true protection. This certification number can easily be found inside of the helmet, underneath the liner. 

Prior to buying a helmet, measure your head according to the manufacturer's instructions in order to get the best possible fit. A helmet should fit snugly around your head, and the chin strap should stabilize and anchor the helmet, so it doesn't flop around as you wear it. That way, the helmet stays in place and provides proper protection if you fall off your horse. 

After a bad fall, it is recommended to replace your helmet, especially when damage or cracking is visible in the helmet. Many manufacturers offer replacement programs to ensure your complete safety and satisfaction. We also recommend removable and washable liners for your helmet, for ease of use.

Boots

Riding boots come in knee-high and ankle-high lengths, known as tall and short boots. Short boots are typically referred to as paddock boots, while the tall boots come in two varieties: field and dress. The distinguishing factor here will be that field boots have laces, while dress boots do not. 

Many of the newer models are made with a grip pad on the inside of the boot, which aids in keeping your leg still, allowing for good equitation. These boots will also wear longer, and lead to less rubbing on the saddle. Many of these boots also come with perforated leather liners, which help keep you cool while you are riding. 

Beginner riders should get tall boots as their first pair due to the ankle support and leg protection from the stirrup leathers. As the ankle strengthens from riding, they can look into short boots with half chaps for convenience and comfort during warm weather. Riding boot manufacturers feature boot models with zippers in the back that make it easier for riders to get into their boots, something that beginner riders can benefit from. 

The most important thing that you will need to keep in mind when purchasing your riding boots will be to ensure that it as a heel designed for English riding. This is a serious safety feature, that will keep your foot from sliding through the stirrup during a ride.

Breeches or Riding Tights

Breeches are tailored to meet the needs of the rider. They have a skin-tight fit to eliminate the risk of getting snagged while riding, no inside leg seam to chafe, and leather or silicone knee patches to help protect the leg from the stirrup leather, and help with grip on the saddle. Many riders today prefer the silicone knee patches, as they tend to be more grippy than the traditional leather. They also have a zipper fly with a fixed waistband, belt loops and pockets. 

Riding tights have similar construction and use similar materials, but they tend to be less tailored. They're worn for comfort, and intended for wear during lessons and hacking out because they don't conform to show ring standards. Riding tights are acceptable for riding lessons as they perform the same function as a pair of breeches. 

Shirts and Jackets

Close-fitting shirts and jackets are best when looking at what to wear to horse riding lessons in all weather. The driving reason comes down to the fact the teacher needs to watch your posture, form, and position in the saddle, and close-fitting garments make it easy to detect changes.

Most of our riders prefer tech or sun shirts, as they provide UVF sun protection. These shirts are also made using wicking fabrics, and will even include mesh inserts that will work to keep the rider cool. This is important to consider, as although it may only be 80 degrees outside, you are sitting on top of a live animal that generates a lot of heat, even getting to temperatures over 100 degrees on a cold day. 

Look for technical fabrics that help you shed heat and offer protection from the sun during the summer to stay cool while riding. When it comes to riding jackets, look for ones that are cut with vents in the rear to go over the cantle of the saddle, and have a dual closing zipper in front to allow the jacket to open up over the pommel. 

We've Got What You Need for Riding Lessons at Equoware

At Equoware, we carry everything you need to wear to your riding lessons and more. We know that horseback riding is tough on clothing, and that's why we sell the best brands that have a reputation for using the latest in material technology and quality construction in their products. We at Equoware want you to be safe, comfortable, and secure when you ride, and our lineup of products help you do just that.