Choosing Clothes for Horseback Riding

Find Safe Comfortable Garments for the Sport of Horseback Riding

Dressing to go horseback riding need not be expensive and appropriate garments are not difficult to find.

Helmet

Although you will be able to find comfortable and suitable clothing in the consignment section of your local tack shop your helmet is an item you don抰 want to skimp on. This is the one piece of equipment you will want to buy brand new. A used helmet might have unseen damage to the inner linings, and won抰 provide the necessary protection.

There are lots of different name brands of helmets that come in many different styles and colors. Helmets come in English and Western styles as well as sporty sleek models for hacking and schooling. Choose a helmet that is attractive, comfortable and suitable for the type of riding you are doing.

ASTM stands for American Society for Testing and Materials. The SEI certification means that the helmet has been constructed specifically for horse sports, and the materials and design have been tested and inspected. Helmets designed for other sports such as cycling, skiing, or rock climbing may not provide adequate protection for a fall from a horse.

Take your time making sure the helmet fits. Nod and shake your head. The helmet should remain level and secure. The harness should be adjustable and comfortable.

Plan to spend over $50 on a good quality helmet, and if you whole family rides, each member will need a helmet that fits them properly.

Shirts, Jackets and Vests

Unless you plan to go to a horse show you probably have a suitable shirt, such as a T-shirt or sweatshirt to wear. If you are going out on trail you might consider wearing bright colors for visibility. Many riders like to wear vests when the weather gets cooler. Your arms and shoulders are less restricted in a vest and they lend themselves to layering for warmth.

There are winter coats designed for riding if you live in an area where you have to cope with frigid temperatures. These coats are roomy through the shoulders, and have gussets so they spread over the saddle rather than tucking under your seat. Many have attractive reflective tape and patches for greater visibility out on trail. Add a warm helmet cover and winter riding gloves to make winter riding more comfortable.

If you do plan to show your horse, you抣l need appropriate garments. Head out to some horse shows to see what others are wearing. Often you will need very specific types of clothing. Show clothing can be custom made, bought off of the rack, home sewn, or purchased used in the consignment section of tack shops.

Pants

For everyday riding, an inexpensive pair of two-way stretch tights maybe the most comfortable. Riding tights can be bought with leather knee and seat patches. These provide a bit more grip and will be made of a more durable fabric than tights not designed for horseback riding. Winter riding pants are made of fleece material for warmth.

Many people ride in jeans or sweat pants. What you will want to avoid in any case is pants that twist, wrinkle or bunch along the inside of your legs and especially knees. Some people like the extra grip and in the winter the wind breaking ability of leather riding chaps. Half chaps that cover from knee to foot provide grip and protection for the lower leg. You抣l need jodphurs, breeches or other traditional riding pants if you are headed for the show ring.

Plan to pay $50 or more for a pair of riding tights and more for jodhpurs or breeches. You can save money by sewing them yourself or buying lightly used ones.

Boots

Next to a helmet, your boots may be your most important purchase. Although there is no official testing or standards for boots you will want to find a pair with about a 1 to 1 ?inch heel and low tread. The tread on many hiking and winter boots is too heavy and in case of a fall may jam in the stirrup. There are many different styles of boots so choose whatever is comfortable, affordable and suitable for the riding your do.

Your boots don抰 have to be 憆iding boots?as long as the sole and heel are appropriate. Inexpensive leather and running shoe style riding boots start at about $100. The consignment corner at tack shops are usually burgeoning with lightly used leather and rubber riding boots great for riders on a budget. Sometimes it is possible to find suitable boots at thrift stores or there may be something in the back of your closet that would work.

Under Garments

If you are involved in other sports you may already have suitable under garments. Tack shops often carry a selection of bras and underwear designed for riding. Shops that specialize in jogging and running gear are also places to look for comfortable under garments.