What riding gear should I get?

[Annie.m29]

So I’ve just today had a refresher riding lesson/assessment lesson after being out the saddle for a few years (being nearly 20 y/o now), and it went really well! Ive been classed as a novice rider and was told that hopefully within a few weeks I should be cantering confidently etc so I’m looking to go back for weekly lessons and hopefully make it a regular thing. With that being said I’m now looking to buy some new riding gear (new boots, hemlet, jodhpurs etc). Could anyone give me some advice on where the best place to go to for such things? I have pretty wide feet and large calves, so I don’t know whether to get long boots or just jodhpur boots etc... any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[EllenJay]

All you need are comfortable jods, hard hat. I prefer riding in short ariat boots with chaps rather than long boots

 

[Winters100]

I would try decathalon for reasonably priced kit. Helmet is first thing, I would also think about back protector, for boots I would advise short boots and chaps as I only find long boots nice if they are very good leather, and that is too expensive for a new hobby. Gloves should also go on the Christmas list Personally I would buy all cheaply except for the helmet which I would advise to go for a good one. Have fun!

 

[Annie.m29]

I would try decathalon for reasonably priced kit. Helmet is first thing, I would also think about back protector, for boots I would advise short boots and chaps as I only find long boots nice if they are very good leather, and that is too expensive for a new hobby. Gloves should also go on the Christmas list Personally I would buy all cheaply except for the helmet which I would advise to go for a good one. Have fun!

Thankyou for your advice! Do you have any thoughts on what make of jodhpur boots are good for wide fit?

 

[Roxylola]

You need somewhere you can try things on. Hats and boots are so important to get right and different brands fit differently. If you can give an idea of your area someone may be able to suggest tack shops

 

[Annie.m29]

That’s a good though actually, thanks! I live in Scotland - Stirling area if anyone has any recommendations...

 

[Annie.m29]

You need somewhere you can try things on. Hats and boots are so important to get right and different brands fit differently. If you can give an idea of your area someone may be able to suggest tack shops

That’s a good though actually, thanks! I live in Scotland - Stirling area if anyone has any recommendations...

 

[Winters100]

Thankyou for your advice! Do you have any thoughts on what make of jodhpur boots are good for wide fit?

Afraid not But returning things is quite easy in general, so if you can't find somewhere near you then I would just order and be prepared to return it if the fit is not right.

 

[paddy555]

these boots for riding they are a wide fit and very comfortable.


https://www.ardmoor.co.uk/mountain-...MIl5f_nIvO7AIVybHtCh24vwYPEAQYBSABEgLyBPD_BwE

 

[Keith_Beef]

My kit for starting out: Clarks Broyd boots (€70), Decathlon rubber riding wellies (€12) (I added thermal insoles at €4 from the hunting and fishing section), Decathlon leather half-chaps (€20 in the sale), Decathlon helmet (€30 - €70), Decathlon jodhpurs (€20).

If you get the rubber wellies for the winter, and wait until the spring to get low boots and chaps, the budget is €66...

 

[HeyMich]

That’s a good though actually, thanks! I live in Scotland - Stirling area if anyone has any recommendations...

McCaskies in Springkerse have some riding stuff, as do Carrs Billington at the Auction Mart. Robinsons near Larbert have a huge range. The best tack shop, I think, is A2B Equestrian in Doune, but they cater for the pricier end of the market, so you might not find budget stuff. They are really helpful though, so worth a visit. If you can travel further, try Decathlon in either Edinburgh or Glasgow as they have a massive range. Good luck!

 

[asmp]

You should definitely get your hat from a shop where you can try on various styles and shapes. I like cheap and comfortable breeches from Harry Hall (prefer breeches so as not to have the excess material underneath bottom of chaps). If you have chunky calves, Just Chaps do wide ones.

 

[Annie.m29]

McCaskies in Springkerse have some riding stuff, as do Carrs Billington at the Auction Mart. Robinsons near Larbert have a huge range. The best tack shop, I think, is A2B Equestrian in Doune, but they cater for the pricier end of the market, so you might not find budget stuff. They are really helpful though, so worth a visit. If you can travel further, try Decathlon in either Edinburgh or Glasgow as they have a massive range. Good luck!

this is great, thanks! I’m sure it was A2B equestrian I got my gear from when I was younger, but I do remember it being on the pricier side. Will check out some of your other recommendations ?

 

[Bethy55Boo]

So I’ve just today had a refresher riding lesson/assessment lesson after being out the saddle for a few years (being nearly 20 y/o now), and it went really well! Ive been classed as a novice rider and was told that hopefully within a few weeks I should be cantering confidently etc so I’m looking to go back for weekly lessons and hopefully make it a regular thing. With that being said I’m now looking to buy some new riding gear (new boots, hemlet, jodhpurs etc). Could anyone give me some advice on where the best place to go to for such things? I have pretty wide feet and large calves, so I don’t know whether to get long boots or just jodhpur boots etc... any advice would be greatly appreciated

I highly recommend Brogini long boots, mine were very affordable (the cheapest I could find that were also good quality) and they are a realistic size for calves rather than these other long boots that appear to be aimed at beanpole legs! The boots also break in super fast and are incredibly comfortable. I find long boots are the best option, they seem to make riding easier. I find my legs wrap around the horse better and their position is better.

A helmet with a quick break peak I find are the best. Do not ever buy a helmet with a fixed peak, they're not safe! Equally a skull cap helmet would be good and as safe, with these there's also the option of have different coloured hat silks, some can be very jazzy! I personally find Champion and Charles Owen are the best brands.

For jodhpurs I'd say riding leggings may be the best. They are so much more comfortable! I also would say it may be good to consider purchasing base layers too as they are very comfortable and they cover the arms protecting them if you were to fall... There's Aztec Diamond Equestrian and Black Heart Equestrian which have some lovely stuff, there are also other brands but I find these are the best quality.

You'll also need riding gloves. These will protect your hands from getting sores and also help you grip the reins better. Roeckl riding gloves are the best. I think I have the Chester ones, but I can't really remember

Finally, I hope that you enjoy your riding and being with the horses! Good luck and have fun!

 

[JulesRules]

Watch out with Decathlon helmets as they didn't used to meet the same safety standards that most riding schools will require

 

[[59668]]

Don't buy your hat at decathlon. Go to a proper tack shop and get it fitted.

 

[Widgeon]

Don't buy your hat at decathlon. Go to a proper tack shop and get it fitted.

Yes this is what I was about to say - reason 1, as above, you need it fitted. Reason 2, in my experience Decathlon hats do not have the correct UK safety certifications so you won't be able to use them in a riding school. They have EU safety certs. You need a hat with a PAS 015 label so the riding school's insurance is valid - if you go to any decent tack shop the staff will be able to tell you which hats have this (almost all of them probably will, Decathlon is unusual in selling EU certified hats).

 

[Keith_Beef]

Yes this is what I was about to say - reason 1, as above, you need it fitted. Reason 2, in my experience Decathlon hats do not have the correct UK safety certifications so you won't be able to use them in a riding school. They have EU safety certs. You need a hat with a PAS 015 label so the riding school's insurance is valid - if you go to any decent tack shop the staff will be able to tell you which hats have this (almost all of them probably will, Decathlon is unusual in selling EU certified hats).

That's useful to know. I wasn't aware that there was a stricter certification for riding schools in the UK.

 

[luhayward79]

Just to say - I bought my child a hat from Decathlon this week (she is only just off lead rein so only for Walk/ Trot/ etc) and it has a PAS 015 label in it - might just be for child sizes though or a new thing they have done to bring them inline for the UK Market?

 

[Widgeon]

That's useful to know. I wasn't aware that there was a stricter certification for riding schools in the UK.

To be honest I don't know if it's stricter, just different - and riding centre and competition insurance in the UK always (in my experience) mandates PAS015. There's probably someone on here who knows about hat testing and how the various standards are arrived at!

 

[Widgeon]

Just to say - I bought my child a hat from Decathlon this week (she is only just off lead rein so only for Walk/ Trot/ etc) and it has a PAS 015 label in it - might just be for child sizes though or a new thing they have done to bring them inline for the UK Market?

Ooh that's quite exciting....I know that plenty of people have been asking Decathlon for a long time whether they will stock PAS015 hats, but I hadn't heard anything about it last time I was buying a new one (about a year ago). But maybe they have brought them in line for the UK market. That would be great if they have, it would open up a whole new range of possibilities for ventilated summer hats! (I really want one of those but most brands are too expensive for me).

ETA - I've just had a look at their website and they now only seem to be selling Champion hats (so, not Decathlon own brand) - all the own brand (Fouganza) ones are gone from the website. Hmm.

 

[eggs]

I've got very wide feet and find Ariat short boots very comfortable.

 

[Inda]

Jet set at Dalry is a great day, they have everything , fit hats etc

 

[Equi]

Don't buy anything! Get out while you still can!

 

[MeganOgdyd]

Great advice, I agree with you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

 

[sarahmac77]

Thankyou for your advice! Do you have any thoughts on what make of jodhpur boots are good for wide fit?

I have wide calves and bought Toggi Calgary boots. Great for everyday riding. I couldn’t be faffed with half chaps and his boots.

 

[welshpony216]

I know that this is (the thread) a bit old, but I recommend just jodhpur boots, as long boots could prevent you from remembering how to feel the horse.