Horse Riding Attire: The Dos and Don’ts

Like any other activity, equestrian riding needs specific attire. However, it is essential to remember that equestrian wear reflects the sport’s distinct heritage and the physical demands placed on riders. Equestrian attires cover many aesthetics, from the ultra-formal, top-hatted look associated with classical touch to the ornate yokes. So make sure your attire is proper for horseback riding. Without further ado, here are the horseback riding fundamentals.

Types of Riding Attires

There are two types of equestrian riding attire. Which are:

Western Riding Attire

Although the equipment used in western and English riding may seem somewhat different, the foundations remain the same. All riders must wear protective headgear. As an additional precaution, you should bring along a pair of clean riding boots. Western riding often involves wearing boots that resemble cowboy boots. The boot’s heel is crucial for the foot to stay in position.

Bright colors and bold patterns are hallmarks of Western fashion. So wear a striped shirt with a contrasting embroidered design. Western riders do not need any unique clothes. A pair of your favorite jeans will do.

Both types of riding need the use of leather gloves. Hands and reins are both protected by a glove. Some riders can also wear safety vests. There is no right or wrong way to accomplish this, and it is just a matter of preference.

English Riding Attire

Even though English horseback riding may seem an expensive hobby, it does not have to be challenging to get the necessary attire.

First and foremost, safety should be the primary focus. You must wear a helmet that is appropriately sized. Therefore, safety precautions must be followed. You can check out in a tack shop to ensure that the helmet is fitted correctly and the chin strap is snug.

You will need a solid pair of boots to complete the outfit. The best choice for equestrian riders is paddock boots. On the other hand, dress boots are inexpensive, check whether you like the style before investing in a more costly pair. The boot’s heel should have a little block on it. So, the stirrup does not allow the foot to fall out.

A seasoned rider will choose breeches fitted snugly. Jodhpurs, which feature a built-in saddle, are worn by many young horses. Jeans that fit comfortably are an excellent choice. As long as your shirt’s sleeves do not get in the way of your gear, you do not have to bother about them.

Recommended Riding Attires

Here are a few essential parts of the attire, which are a must for equestrian riding.

Saddle

The first item on your list should be a saddle. Saddles come in a wide range of styles, but most fall into three general categories. Saddles are available for various riding styles and specialty movements, such as cantering, trotting, jumping, and racing, depending on your degree of experience. Beginner-friendly saddles in any price range are widely available.

Boots

Investing in proper footwear is just as important as purchasing a helmet. You will need footwear with a heel height of 1 to 1.5 inches for this hike. For many horseback riders, leather is the material of choice. The boot’s heel is crucial to ensuring that your leg does not fall out of the stirrups.

If that happens, and you fall, there is the chance of being pulled along wherever the horse goes, which may be deadly. Paddock and dress boots are two names you may hear while looking for a particular pair of riding boots. Their height is the only difference, paddock boots are ankle-high, whereas dress boots are knee-high.

Helmets

It is best to wear a high-quality and approved horse-riding helmet for your protection. However, a helmet is only one of the numerous precautions you should take since you never know when you may get into an accident. Tripping and falling can happen to anybody, regardless of their experience or competence and even during horse training.

It is a bad idea to ride a horse while wearing a bike helmet. When it comes to protecting yourself in the case of an accident, go for a sport-specific one. With the wide selection of sizes, designs, and manufacturers, every rider can find the perfect helmet. Always go for the trustworthy manufacturers who make the best helmets.

Trousers

You should go for a pair of trousers that are at least knee-length. Whether you wear jodhpurs or breeches depends on your location since some English riders prefer them. In contrast, western riders are more likely to wear jeans. The gear shops provide varieties of options for horse riding trousers in various designs.

Breeches and jodhpurs are primarily designed for equestrian sports because of their ability to stretch, making them comfortable and allowing for easy movement. They also have padded knees for extended life. A pair of high-quality jeans should be comfortable if you choose to wear them. If you decide to ride using one, make sure there are no exposed seams.

Shirts

In terms of western and traditional English riding shirts, you cannot go wrong with any of them. Your arms should be unrestricted when wearing any long-sleeved clothes.

Coats and Jackets

Make sure your coat or jacket is mainly designed for riding. They are the best option for those who need to move freely while at work. The elbow padding on these coats and jackets enhances comfort and mobility. In addition, as they last longer, they will save you money in the long run.

Safety Vest

A safety vest safeguards the chest and vital organs in an accident. Falling from a horse is common for anybody who enjoys horseback riding. In addition, your balance will improve as you master new skills like cantering and jumping.

Gloves

Every rider should wear gloves before mounting their horse. If you fall or have an accident, your hands will be protected. Various materials and patterns are available for gloves, ranging from synthetics to supple leather.

Undergarments

Your undergarments are just as important as your outer garments. Even though undergarments for riding are not required. However, to be safe, you should stay away from underwear not explicitly made for sports.

Sports underwear is usually free of seams, making it more pleasant to wear and less prone to chafing. If you are not allergic to microfiber underwear, you will be more comfortable wearing one throughout the day because of the fabric’s ability to wick away sweat. If you like cotton, make sure the garments you wear have as few seams as possible.

Other Accessories

When you ride a horse, the accessories will finish your style and improve your experience. The following are a few items you will need:

Socks

A pair of mid-calf or higher tall boot socks will suffice in place of your average pair. Otherwise, the sock might fall out of the boot and cause discomfort. Thermal socks are another excellent option for cold-weather and warm-weather horse riding.

Neck Wrap

When riding in the summer heat, a soak-able neck cover comes in handy. Like scarves, the fabric should be able to absorb moisture. It is utilized to keep you cool for long periods and is suited for beach rides.

Face Mask

Amid this covid-19, you will always need to protect yourself. For example, you have to wear face masks constantly and change them occasionally (for one time usable) or wash them regularly.

Things To Avoid

There are no hard-and-fast rules regarding wearing when riding a horse. However, there are a few facts you should be aware of. So let us have a look at them.

Avoid High Heels or Flippers

Earlier, we said that the heels on riding boots should be somewhat high. This is not applicable for high heel sandals or flippers. The heel of your gorgeous pair of sandals may get trapped if you try to ride a horse. This might cause you to lose balance and tumble down the cliff.

Unlike these footwear alternatives, Flip-flops do not include a heel and are not designed to be worn snugly. Consequently, they might fall off when you mount the horse.

Do Not Wear Shorts While Riding

Even in the sweltering summer heat, all horseback riders wear long pants. The saddle may get very hot when the sun is out and heating the ground underneath it. As a result, always remember to ride in long pants.

Do Not Ride Wearing Beachwear

If you are going to ride on the beach, do not do it in shorts. Sure, it seems romantic in movies, but you might get chafing burns if you try it at home.

Avoid Using a Hat Instead of a Helmet

Accidents might happen even if you do not want to participate in a race. If you are going to be riding a horse, wearing a cowboy hat will not protect you against head injuries.

Conclusion

Riders must exercise extreme caution to avoid severe injury or death. Therefore, you need to be prepared with the proper safety gear and attire, such as a good pair of pants, a good shirt, and a good coat. If you fall when riding, make sure you have a helmet on to protect your head.

You will also need the proper boots and gloves to complete the attire. The most important thing to remember is to put your safety first! Good Luck!