Footwear for extreme beginners

[CrystalRider]

Hi

I'm about to book my 1st riding lesson, once payday comes.

I was wondering about footwear till I know I'll continue.

I have mentioned I have my eyes on Woof Woof Horizon Riding Boots, as well as looking at other jophur riding boots, but the sensible person in me, is screaming wait till I know I'll continue.

Would I be able to ride in say a decent work style shoe, that has a 1 inch heel? I only own trainers or sneakers, so these aren't suitable.

Thanks for your time.

 

[ycbm]

Buy a pair of Decathlon long rubber riding boots, I wear mine every day. Dead cheap, and will be useful of you don't carry on, as wellies.

Ditto their jods - £11 a pair! Brilliant value.

Have fun.

 

[Shay]

No - you can't ride in a work type shoe. A riding boot has a narrower profile for the foot so you are less likely to get your foot caught if you fall.

Many riding schools have boots available to borrow for lessons - like hats. Before you splash out (even on decathlon ones) see if you can borrow a pair at first. Or ask they have have cage stirrups available as you can then use trainers to ride in. The cage stops the foot slipping through.

Otherwise looks for cheap plastic long riding boots. Robinsons have them in sale for about £6 at the moment. Decathlon are always good for cheap riding stuff (Don't touch the hats though - they do not meet safety standards!!) Aldi have horse days which also has cheap good quality stuff - but you have to wait for one to come around.

Enjoy your ride!!

 

[CrystalRider]

Thanks, I'll look at riding boots, so I can order on payday, as well as ringing the centre I'll be having lessons at, to see if they have boots, I can hire and enquire about cage stirrups

 

[gnubee]

I would think you will be fine with a work style boot with a small heel. I used to regularly forget my proper boots for my lessons and end up riding in the boots I wore to the office. Really depends on what you have available - the ideal is a smooth sole (don't want too much grip in the stirrup) with a smal heel to stop your foot being able to slide too far through. Look what you have and get as close to that as possible. The main difference between my office boots and jodhpurs boots is office boots don't have elastic to get them on. Have also ridden in hiking boots when I've been away and done unscheduled riding. With my lady sized feet the hiking boots are still smaller than regular men's boots so I've never had a problem with them being too big for the stirrup. Probably not a good idea if you have giant feet though.

I hate caged stirrups with a fiery passion. Never feels like I can get the stirrup quite in the right place, which is one of the key things you will want to get right when you start riding. Fine if it's a one off but I wouldn't be wanting to learn to ride anywhere that wants you to use them as a regular thing.