Horse Riding. The Equipment You Need To Get Started

When you’re just starting to horse ride it can be difficult to differentiate between essential equipment and equipment that is desirable, but not essential. In the following guide we will go through the equipment you cannot do without when riding a horse.

There are two things that you need to think about initially; yourself, and the horse you will be riding.

For You

Helmet

It is a long way down from the back of a horse, especially if you land on your head – a helmet is essential (and legally required for some ages) equipment, you should never ride a horse without one. The variety of riding helmets available match the variety of head sizes and shapes out there so make sure you try on a number of different helmets to get the best one for you

Luckily there is a huge amount of variety in riding helmets, and with no one head being the same it is worthwhile looking and trying on as many different helmets as you can.

Quick Points

1. Look out for the British standards as these are what make sure a riding hat is fit for purpose. The two standards to look out for are PAS 015 and/or EN 1384 as these promise a product that meets acceptable safety standards.
2. Do not buy a second hand riding helmet, you don’t know what it’s been up-to! If a hat sustains an impact then it should be immediately replaced, even if it looks normal from the outside.
3. For a good fit, fasten the chin strap to the helmet (ensuring you are comfortable), and move your head briskly – if the hat doesn’t move the fit should be a good one. You should also get your head properly measured; here’s how.

Once you have been measured and know your perfect fit, you can select a style to suit along with the finish and other features such as ventilation. A couple of good examples are the robust RXC1 Jockey Skull by Gatehouse or, for a peaked riding hat, the “Conquest” riding hat, also by Gatehouse.

Boots

Riding boots may be the most iconic of all equestrian related clothing and aesthetics aside, they play an important part in the art of horse riding. They will protect your feet from the ground, from the hooves of a stamping horse and, vitally, from your ankles from being twisted in the saddle.

Quick Points

1. You will have a choice to make over the style of boot you will buy. Think about the purpose of the boot (training, dressage, show, etc.) and from there make an informed choice. Never ride in boots you aren’t comfortable in.
2. Think about the amount of care you can give to your boots. Leather riding boots can look incredible and have a wonderful life-span – so long as you put in the maintenance time. If you can’t then consider other material options.
3. Consider the environment in which you will be riding. For example, the grips and treads required for people riding primarily on fields, may be different than those who are primarily riding on roads.

Buying the boots is more than just the looks. It should be about the fit, the requirements and your preferences, and you should give equal thought to each of these features rather than privileging one over another.

Body Protector

Body protectors are a relatively new product designed to improve the safety of riding by adding another level of protection whilst on the horse.

Though you can ride a horse without one of these, we believe them to be essential pieces of kit, reducing the dangers of injury significantly.

Quick Points

1. As with most safety equipment, you must be sure that it meets standards. In this instance, for the relevant standard is EN13158. This ensures that stringent safety regulations have been met.
2. As well as meeting manufacturing standards, there are different levels of protection:

• Level 1: Black Label – lower level of impact protection, only appropriate for licenced racing jockeys.
• Level 2: Brown Label – lower than normal levels of protection, should only be used in low risk situations and never on any hard surfaces (such as roads).
• Level 3: Purple Label – appropriate for normal horse riding. Protection benefits should include reduced bruising, soft tissue injuries and a number of rib fractures.

3. Measurements needed are waist, chest and waist to waist. Be sure to try on over the top of clothing usually worn under the body protector (light clothing). Replace every 3-5 years.

These products are being improved all the time; the latest innovation is an air jacket which, just like air, has a lighter, more spacious, feel around the body.

Riding Gloves

When it comes to riding your horse, gloves are not just hand-warmers, they are what secure your grip against the reigns and protects your hands in the case of a fall. They can also look fantastic! There are some points particularly relevant to newbies when it comes to choosing the right riding gloves:

Quick Points

1. Some gloves now employ fleece material with enforced, waterproof backs to give you warmth from the harsh winds. While these horse riding gloves do give excellent grip, the thickness does impede the ‘feel’ of a rein which you would get from the naked hand.
2. Whilst the glove type above does provide superb protection from the elements, many riders are sacrificing some of those benefits for a heightened sense of ‘touch’ on the reigns. These kind of gloves usually feature a Lycra or Spandex finish.
3. Think about how much maintenance you would be willing to undertake. Some gloves are machine washable and very low maintenance, whilst others take a lot of love and care to keep them in condition. Low maintenance gloves may be of a lower quality, but if you are still unsure of the longevity of your interest, they are a perfect option.

Jodhpurs & Breeches

If you are just starting to take lessons then you could wear something like a pair of leggings or jogging bottoms for your first couple of times. Anything which provides unobstructed inner leg comfort – you don’t want the material to rub and become painful whilst riding your horse.

If you plan to ride frequently then a pair of jodhpurs or breeches will be a very important investment. Choosing between the two is down to personal preference, but there are some simple things you should know.

Quick Points

1. Jodhpurs are full length (reaching the ankle), tight fitting trousers, that are best worn with short boots. You can get them in a range of materials from knitted cotton to nylons to polyester and your personal preference in connection to fit and feel should be the main factors influencing your buying choice,but you should also take note of your height, especially if you are buying before trying them on. Shorter people can sometimes struggle with the fit of Jodhpurs. When worn with knee-length boots they can also become hot when compared with breeches.
2. Breeches are a shorter trouser than the Jodhpur (reaching just below knee length) and are ever popular in the UK due to the way they complement knee length riding boots. There is also far more variety for breeches and of course they don’t have the problem of overheating your legs when worn in conjunction with full height riding boots.

Both breeches and jodhpurs have an off-centre seam on the inner and protective material on the inner knees. Not only does this offer you protection from chaffing, the protective material on the inner knee ensures a longer lifespan when compared to normal, non-specialised trousers. As with most riding equipment, it is best to try on the breeches and/or jodhpurs to make sure of the fit.

For Your Horse

The Saddle

Your horse saddle is a very personal piece of equipment. It is probably the most important piece of equipment too, and with the right care, the longest lasting!

Quick Points

1. There really is no substitute for having a professional fitting when it comes to your saddle, it will be with you for a long time, and provide comfort and protection for you and your horse. Choosing a saddle that is wrong for you can be an expensive mistake – get it right!
2. Saddles are usually made from leather or a synthetic material. Whilst both are comfortable, leather will usually be the more expensive of the two. Think about the length of time you realistically expect to be riding for as a leather saddle will be of a high quality, but will take significant effort to take care of it. The reward will be something that stays with you for decades, though a synthetic saddle will be cheaper which is important if you are still working out whether riding will be a short or long term part of your life.

Caring for your saddle is very important; it might be the difference between an investment of high value and something which is a waste of money. Go into it with your eyes open, know what it is you will need to do and your saddle will be a comfortable, long-term companion.

Girth

A girth is the piece of equipment that stretches underneath your horse to connect either side of the saddle. It makes sure the saddle doesn’t slip, saving you from any nasty surprises in the saddle, and it distributes weight, which prevents any breathing discomfort to your horse.

Quick Points

1. As you already know, your horse is special but when it comes to the girth, the ‘special’ features that matter is the unique combination of skin, movement styles and the shape of the undercarriage. All of these factors have to be considered when selecting a horse girth, as without it you could restrict the breathing of your equine friend!
2. Knowing the right measurement for your girth is vital, and will free you of the problems in point 1! An easy way to measure is to get a cloth or fabric tape measure and stretch it from the centre billet hole on one side of your saddle, to the centre billet hole on the other side. Finally, lift the leg of your horse to see the bend of its leg – you want to be sure that the girth completely avoids the elbow of the horse.

There are a number of materials used in girths, the most effective of which is leather with its fantastic pressure distributing qualities and long lasting quality. There are cheaper and lower maintenance fabric options, and whilst the pressure distribution may not be as effective, it is a cost-effective option for the new horse rider.

Bridle, Bits and Reins

This is the headgear that controls the horse, and is usually coupled with reins and a bit. Steering and general control of your horse would be nigh on impossible without these essential pieces of equipment. As always, there are some key points to consider.

Quick Points

1. Are you going to be a casual rider, or will you be taking part in events? Because it matters. For example, if you are going to be partaking in an event like dressage, the rules will dictate that a snaffle bridle, with noseband, must be used. However for the casual rider there are a far larger selection of bridles available.
2. There is also a rising popularity of using a ‘bit-less’ bridle, over the more traditional ‘bit’ dependent ones. It has been argued that using a bit-less bridle is perfect if your horse has suffered a mouth injury, and some horses just seem to be suited to it. However for those advantages you may potentially risk lower control, have issues with insurance and, for the eventers, competition rules may become a problem.

As far as bridle materials are concerned, it is usually a choice between leather and nylon. Nylon is the cheaper and easier to maintain, but leather bridles are more attractive and durable. Before buying the bridle you also need to know what noseband will best suit you and your horse – Crank Cavesson, Flash, Grackle and Kineton. Each of these provide subtle differences in performance, it is best to get expert advice (give us a call), about what will best suit the attributes and characteristics of your horse. And remember that ultimately a bridle is only as good as the rider holding the reigns.

And you’re ready to Ride

Depending on the time of year, there might be additional items that you want to consider, such as thicker insulated coats in winter and light and airy summer shirts. Also remember to keep your horse warm in winter! At the end of the day, no matter what quality of equipment you have, the most important thing to remember when you are riding a horse is to be safe and have fun!

Happy Riding!