What To Wear Horse Riding

Are you ready for your first horse riding lesson? Well, you’re close – but you still have to choose the right clothes for it!

You need a couple of things: a helmet, shirt, jacket, pants, and boots. You also have to avoid wearing certain clothes.

In this article, we’ll explain what to wear when horse riding – and what not to wear!

What to wear for horse riding

Helmet

Horse riding is a safe sport – as long as you follow all safety measures, like wearing a helmet.

Sure, it may not be an aesthetic choice – but it’s an important one. When wearing a helmet, the function is more important than looks.

There are three helmet-buying rules: first, stay away from second-hand helmets and buy a new one; second, make sure you buy a certified helmet; third, try it out to see that it fits you.

Shirt or Jacket

There are no major rules when it comes to shirts and jackets. Make sure you wear comfortable clothes that fit you and always choose them according to the weather.

One thing you have to remember. No loose clothes. That will prevent you from getting tangled up somewhere you don’t want to.

Are you going to ride during autumn or winter? Make sure you wear a vest or a jacket (or both if necessary). Vests are perfect for autumn; jackets and coats are the go-to choices for winter.

Undergarment

We highly recommend wearing sports underwear when horse riding. Normal underwear may have straps or other stuff that may become uncomfortable after a while.

At the same time, we recommend wearing comfortable underwear if you don’t feel like buying new sports underwear. Choosing the right material is key here: breathable cotton is a perfect choice. Microfiber is also a good idea. Other fabrics may not be a good pick for horse riding.

Look for comfortable underwear for sports and similar athletic activities – because that’s what horse riding is.

Pants

Choosing what pants to wear is easy. You have to buy horse riding pants. If you have never seen a pair before, they are similar to leggings but somewhat sturdier. These pants also have a special shape that will prevent you from getting tangled when riding – giving them extra safety points!

There’s a caveat: you have to buy two pairs if you plan to ride all year long. Summer and winter horse riding pants come in different fabrics.

Then again, you don’t have to break the bank to see whether you like to ride horses or not. You can wear jeans for the first couple of horse riding lessons if you want to.

Boots

Protecting your head is as important as keeping your feet safe when horse riding. So, pick the right boots.

There’s no right choice when buying horse riding boots – but there are some requirements: you need something with an inch-long heel (or an inch and a half) and no laces. Leather boots are usually the go-to choice, but any other smooth material works as well.

There’s no need to buy anything special if you own a similar pair of boots already. Make sure they are comfortable enough to wear for hours.

Accessories

You may or may not need certain accessories depending on when and where you ride a horse. Some are almost mandatory – especially for beginners.

For example, gloves may not be necessary, but they will help you in many ways. Some horses like to pull the reins – and your unprotected hands won’t like it one bit. Wearing gloves will save some skin (literally).

Boot socks are similar to gloves. They may not be 100% necessary but will improve the overall horse riding experience. Common socks will slide down your boots – and it will be uncomfortable to ride that way.

Finally, consider wearing a neck wrap during the summer. Doing so is a great way to keep your cool as well as reduce the risk of sunburn. It’s something that you want when you’re riding for hours on a long summer day.

What not to wear horse riding1. High heels

You need boots with a heel – but wearing high heels is out of the question when horse riding. The main rule is to wear comfortable yet sturdy stuff. That’s why leather boots are the go-to choice when riding.

Choosing pretty much anything more fashionable than functional is a terrible idea. Go for simple stuff that will prevent you from getting in sticky situations (like getting tangled in the saddle).

Flip flops

Wearing flip-flops or any open shoe is a terrible idea. You’re bound to lose something when you do – and you’re going to wish you had worn boots then.

For example, when horse riding, things are not smooth. You may end up losing one or both flip-flops. At the same time, a horse may step on your toes – and you better believe wearing boots will prevent you from losing a nail then.

Scarves

It’s not a bad idea to wear a scarf during the winter, right? Wrong! Scarves are way too loose and way too close to your neck not to cause a problem. Sure, you can wear a neck wrap – but that’s far from a scarf.

Wearing a scarf when horse riding is a recipe for disaster. There are way too many things that can tangle it up, like branches and reins.

Shorts

Wearing shorts during summer horse riding lessons is the same as wearing scarves during winter horse riding lessons – a recipe for disaster.

If you decide to go down this route, your thighs will be very red by the time you finish – and you’ll be wishing you had worn pants then.

Bulky or loose clothes

Wear fit clothes when horse riding. Anything bulky or loose is bound to get tangled up somewhere – and it’ll be hard to help you then.

There’s no need to buy new clothes (other than the helmet) if you have fitting clothes that can handle a horse riding lesson – but make sure you pick the right stuff from your closet.