What Horse Riding Gear Is Needed for a Newbie?

A horse is a large, strong animal, so it is very important for people to be safe when working with it. This applies not only to the rules of behavior, but also to the appearance, or rather, clothing. It is important to correctly and competently approach the choice of equipment. What clothes do you need for riding if you are a newbie?

What Should the Rider’s Outfit Be?

Today, horse riding clothes can please even the most selective fashionista: the choice is huge. Both fabrics, styles, and their practicality differ. Therefore, it is very important to be able to choose the right wardrobe based on your needs and capabilities. However, clothing for riding horses must be correct. A lot of requirements can be introduced into this definition, ranging from the practicality and durability of the fabric and ending with its tailoring.

How to Choose the Rider’s Equipment? Horse riding helmet

When riding, there is always the possibility of falling off the horse. In order to avoid dangerous head injuries, a rider must wear a buttoned safety helmet while on the horse, both in training and in competition.

Breeches

This is a very important piece of equipment. If you are going to go in for equestrian sports or just have a nice time on horseback, then you will need special trousers – breeches. What are they for? After all, many novice equestrians can say that you can wear jeans or ordinary sports pants and save money! But you can’t save in this case because special breeches have not so much aesthetic but functional significance. The fact is that special riding breeches have anti-slip inserts, which partially dampens slip and helps keep tight in the saddle.

Gloves

Riding gloves protect the rider’s hands from calluses and abrasions, as well as reduce the slip of the reins, allowing them to be fixed in the correct position. Depending on weather conditions and intensity of use, gloves can be made from different materials. However, they always have a special cut and reinforced inserts in the places of the greatest friction – where the leash is passed between the fingers. A newbie will be comfortable in ordinary and soft knitted gloves that are almost insensible on the hand but protect from abrasions and calluses. This also applies to recreational horseback riding once a week.

Vest

The vest is also a very popular part of the rider’s wardrobe. It carries many functions, ranging from maintaining body temperature to improving maneuverability. Vests are suitable for everyday use and are comfortable to wear with different clothes, for example, with a shirt, T-shirt, sweater. Many modern waterproof vests are of different lengths, equipped with fur lining, a hood, etc. In addition, special reflective inserts are attached to the vests for driving in urban conditions and on highways.

Footwear

When riding a horse, you should choose correct shoes because only such shoes will prevent your feet from slipping into the stirrup, or, even worse, get stuck in the stirrup during a fall. It is forbidden to mount a horse in such shoes as sneakers, slippers, or sandals, and also any shoes that have a grooved protector. Boots are the most suitable footwear for the rider. Usually, these are boots with a narrow toe and thin, smooth soles. They have a well-defined heel up to 2 cm high. It is best to choose high boots, right up to the knees, made of soft leather, which will fit your leg tightly. Such boots will make the horse feel the legs and you will give it a command more clearly. Boots are often equipped with a zipper in the back to facilitate the process of putting on and taking off.