Useful Info :
What equipment is needed
by a
Horseback Riding
Beginner
You have gone through the steps to find the right instructor; you have scheduled your first lesson! "What do I wear? Horse people seem to have so much equipment, and what do I start buying?" Do not buy anything just yet! Have a lesson or two before you become hooked! It makes no sense to buy gear that you may never use again.
NESC has helmets available, as it also teaches beginner lessons. This is the most important piece of equipment.
For your first couple of lessons, you should wear long pants, preferably stretch pants. At NESC we use English saddles and wearing blue jeans can be tricky. The stirrup leathers can and will pinch your legs. Jeans tend to ride up your leg, but can be stabilized with some tape or bandage. Stretch pants are good to use, but you also run into the problem of getting pinched. If you do get pinched let your instructor know and bandage the area of your leg. Most people find a pair of pants that are comfortable to them and do not have a problem with leg pinch. It is just a matter of patience and finding the right pant.
Your shoes should have a heel on them and they must be closed around your foot. Sandals and any other open toed shoe are not acceptable around horses. If a horse steps directly on your foot, you will be in pain, possibly unable to walk well for months. Please wear covered shoes around horses at all times! The heel of the shoe is very important. You need a heel to prevent the stirrup from sliding back on to your leg, meaning your foot sliding through. Imagine your foot having slipped completely though the stirrup and the horse spooks, or takes off. If you cannot control the horse and you fall, you may be dragged until the horse stops. Heels prevent fatal injuries! So do not wear sneakers. You need to wear a boot that has a good, definite heel.
Shirts should be tucked in neatly before you mount a horse. This prevents you from getting caught on any part of the saddle. It is also important that you avoid buttoned shirts. These tend to catch very easily. Also, if you ever have to emergency dismount, a loose shirt can prevent you from getting away safely.
Your hair should be neat and tidy. If you have long hair, pull it into a braid. Hair can be a large distraction when riding. So, tend to it before you put your helmet on and make sure you will not have bangs dangling in your eyes. Hairnets help prevent small portions of hair from moving out of the helmet. You will find that most riders use hairnets when schooling their horses.
If you find you really like your lessons and want to continue your riding hobby or career, you should consider purchasing some gear. The first thing to buy is a helmet that fits you and makes you feel comfortable. Try all different models and sizes. Look for a helmet that does not move around on your head and rests half way between your hairline and your eyebrows. Plastic helmets are great; but, if they have air vents, purchase a cover for the helmet. (Sticks and other materials can get caught in there when trail riding, and may pull you off your horse).
Purchase some riding gloves. They prevent wear on your fingers and help keep the reins from slipping out of your hands. Leather is your best choice, but there are good cloth gloves that have patches for rein protection.
Half chaps are another consideration to prevent leg pinch. These are fairly inexpensive and allow you to wear your normal riding clothing. They are leather leggings that come up below your knee. They wrap around your leg and allow your pants to be tucked in underneath. They slip over any shoe. They are a better option than purchasing boots and breeches.
Remember to wear your helmet every time you are riding a horse and make sure you are wearing covered shoes.
Good Luck!