| Whether you're a new rider or the parent of a new | | | | Horse Riding Clothing Mistake #3: Buying the Wrong |
| rider, you've no doubt already discovered one of the | | | | Breeches |
| most enduring truths about riding horses: horse riding | | | | Breeches are those stretchy pants you see |
| clothing is expensive. And confusing. There's so much | | | | professional equestrians wear. They're made of a |
| of it, in so many different styles, for so many different | | | | special material that allows for freedom of movement |
| types of riding, it's hard to know what to buy. And | | | | and wicks moisture (aka sweat) away from the skin. |
| once you finally do pick out a few items, the prices are | | | | They also have very soft seams specially stitched to |
| so shockingly huge you begin to think it might be better | | | | keep from chafing the rider's legs at the points where |
| to forget about the ponies altogether and get into | | | | they make contact with the sides of the horse's body. |
| scrapbooking instead. | | | | These are all good things. |
| But don't give up yet! By avoiding the most common | | | | When you shop for breeches, you'll find many different |
| mistakes that beginners make, you can save yourself | | | | kinds with many different names: knee patch |
| lots of time, money, and frustration. | | | | breeches, full-seat breeches, low-rise breeches, etc. |
| Horse Riding Clothing Mistake #1: Buying Everything | | | | The kind you ultimately need will depend on which style |
| When first starting out, many new riders think they | | | | of riding you get into, but, in the beginning, you can |
| need to own every piece of horse riding gear under | | | | easily get away with a nice, cheap pair of schooling |
| the sun. They load down their shopping carts and wipe | | | | tights. |
| out their budgets only to eventually discover they didn't | | | | Note: Some people will tell you that you can just wear |
| need half of it, or they bought the wrong kind. Or, | | | | a tight pair of jeans, but that really isn't a very good |
| worse yet, their interest in riding was only a phase and | | | | idea. First of all, most trainers will only let you get away |
| all that expensive equipment is now sitting on a shelf | | | | with that for a couple of lessons (until you decide if |
| collecting dust. | | | | you want to keep riding or not), and, secondly, the |
| To make sure you avoid this mistake, just keep in mind | | | | seams on a pair of jeans will quickly begin to chafe -- |
| one simple phrase: You don't need all that stuff. All you | | | | and eventually scar -- your legs. Do yourself a favor, |
| really need when starting out are three simple things: | | | | and find a nice pair of riding tights. |
| | | | Horse Riding Clothing Mistake #4: Buying the Wrong |
| 1. a horse riding helmet | | | | Boots |
| 2. a comfortable pair of pants | | | | As with all the other pieces of horse riding clothing, |
| 3. some horse riding boots. | | | | there are many different kinds of boots, all made for |
| And that's it. With just those three items, you can take | | | | specific types of riding. Many beginners immediately go |
| your first riding lessons, learn the basics, and figure out | | | | for the tall, glossy boots that they see so many other |
| whether or not riding horses is something you really | | | | riders wearing, but this is a huge mistake. Not only are |
| want to do before you throw piles of money at it. This, | | | | those tall boots extremely expensive, they're also very |
| of course, brings us to... | | | | tough to break in. If your new rider is still growing, by |
| Horse Riding Clothing Mistake #2: Buying the Wrong | | | | the time the boots are fully broken in, they will likely |
| Helmet | | | | have outgrown them; meaning all that money you just |
| There are many different kinds of horse riding helmets, | | | | spent has gone straight down the drain. And finally, as |
| all designed for very specific disciplines or skill levels. | | | | with show helmets, the wear-and-tear of lesson riding |
| Unfortunately, many of them look the same and it | | | | will quickly cause the value of your investment to |
| would be very easy for a beginner to spend way too | | | | dwindle. |
| much money on the wrong one. To avoid this | | | | When starting out, the only horse riding boots a |
| common mistake, all you really need to know about | | | | beginner needs are paddock boots. Paddock boots |
| are two different types: show helmets and schooling | | | | are short, ankle-length boots that look a bit like "granny |
| helmets. | | | | boots." They have the same safety features as tall |
| Show helmets are exactly what they sound like: | | | | boots, but are far less expensive, far less difficult and |
| helmets you wear to a show. They're very formal and | | | | time-consuming to break in, and not so heartbreaking |
| very expensive, often reaching several hundred dollars | | | | to get dirty. Also, for kids under 12, paddock boots are |
| apiece. Now here's the good news: Until you reach a | | | | perfectly fine to wear for shows, meaning you can |
| level where you're ready to compete in front of | | | | definitely get your money's worth from them for quite |
| judges, you don't need a show helmet. | | | | some time. |
| Schooling helmets are also exactly what they sound | | | | And That's It! |
| like: helmets you wear while schooling, or lesson riding. | | | | Sure, it's easy to spend a lot of money on horse riding |
| Schooling helmets are way less formal and way less | | | | clothing. And it's really easy to buy the wrong kind. But |
| expensive; a decent one can be gotten for around | | | | by avoiding these common mistakes that beginning |
| $30-$40. They're also much more durable and easier | | | | riders make, you can minimize your cost and maximize |
| to clean, meaning the wear-and-tear of weekly | | | | your time enjoying the reason you got into riding in the |
| lessons won't be such a strain on your time or | | | | first place: spending time with the horse! |
| pocketbook. | | | | |