What are people wearing these days?

[BornAgainRider]

Just about to start riding again - first proper lesson tonight! I used to ride loads but not for some time! I went on a hack down in London last weekend and everyone was in jods, half chaps(which I love), walking shoes or timberland type things.. I know it isnt a fashion parade but dont want to look stupid.. I have just been out and bought some cheapish navy jodphurs and a jacket and some cheap long riding boots, just to tide me over...

Any suggestions!?

[Keket]

I tend to be in jeans, half-chaps and short boots or jodhpurs and long boots with something on the top as required by temperatures. T-shirt/tank top in summer, light sweatshirt in spring/fall, winter coat in late fall/early winter. And right now in the dead of winter where it's -15 everyday, I wear a winter coat, heavy winter riding boots, and insulated full-seat riding pants.

[ALP]

Hello

If you are serious about getting back into riding it would be worth investing in some joddies and half chaps with joddie boots. Walking boots can be quite wide and there is a danger they can get stuck in the stirrup if you have a fall.

As for top layers it really depends on the weather. Spring I usually wear a t-shirt or rugby shirt and body warmer if necessary. Summer just a t-shirt. Winter at the moment a roll neck jumper and a medium weight jacket. Last week roll neck jumper and winter coat as VERY cold. I tend to find I need less than I think cos you do tend to get hot about 15 mins into the lesson.

Alison xx

[BornAgainRider]

Great thanks. When you say joddie boots are they the ankle ones? And is there a particular brand/type of half chaps I should be looking at? The temp boots I got were only £10 so I dont mind if I only wear them a few times. joddies I got seem pretty good... I am so excited I know I am going to get carried away!

[ALP]

I know it is great isn't it.

I do mean short boots yes. Any brand of half chaps are pretty good. Shires do a range in Amara suede for about £20 and you can chuck them in the washing machine. Careful though cos the black ones run something chronic. It is best to buy them from a tack shop so you can try them on though.

I have Mountain Horse leather and elastic half chaps, they cost me £70, but they are lovely and last really well. It is really personal choice, I started with the cheaper range and gradually built up.

Alison xx

[BornAgainRider]

Thanks Alison, will get the first lesson over with and see what the others have and get myself down to a tack shop - so stupid arent I but dont want to look ridiculous!

Im a bit scared now though having read a post on General about how many times people have fallen off.. I get married in May and could do without any injuries!!! :eek:

[ALP]

You're welcome.

Nobody will judge what you are wearing. As long as you are comfortable it does not matter. Don't worry about falling off. Good luck with your wedding. I will have been married 5 years in April - it goes so fast. :D :eek:

Alison xx

[xxxkristinaxxx]

welll first of all i decide which pair of jodhpurs i want to wear (i have got 6 pairs)
then i just put on any t-shirt
a normal thin fleece
and my 5 in 1 joules coat
zip up jodhpur boots and my 'justchaps' which are chaps with purple stars on :)

but no1 really cares what you are wearing!

I just wear whatever is comfortable really

Have a fun lesson xx

[Grace O'Malley]

Could the boots/shoes people were wearing have been something like the Ariat all-terrains (http://www.nextag.com/ariat-terrain/search-html)? They're made for riding, but are comfortable for walking too.

[Maddison's girl]

Im a bit scared now though having read a post on General about how many times people have fallen off.. I get married in May and could do without any injuries!!! :eek:

:D I have been married since December 9th, fell off two weeks ago....what a good way to start married life :eek: Also went riding on the morning of my wedding and my friend got thrown off (quite nasty too) at that point all the girls at the yard made me go home!

good luck with the wedding

[Pink's lady]

Doens't matter wat your wearing as long as it's muddy and well worn and smell of horse- it'll fit right in;). During the winter I usually wear lots of layers on top covered with a horsey jacket (Musto) and jodphurs under jean and my Hunter wellie on the bottom. I'm managed to find my leather full chaps so now wear them again. During the summer it's my jodphurs and very well worn (read 'falling to bits' :o) half chaps and short boots with a Rubgy shirt on top.

If you are going to buy short boots and are certain you're going to continue riding I would splash out a little and but a slightly more expensive pair - they're well worth it. I would just buy fairly cheap chaps though. I personally hate the velcro wrap around ones and would go for the elstic panelled zip up ones.

I love the Mountian horse boots and they last forever. If you know what size you are, have a look on ebay and get them there. And Dublin do good but cheap leather half chaps.

[Skib]

Tuffa half chaps and jod. boots are inexpensive and good.
I wouldnt worry what you look like. Though my favourite escort complains if I look too much of a mess. And indeed I sometimes am.

I have only once seen a woman turn up at our London yard to hack in a stylish jacket, shirt etc. We wear macs, fleeces and high viz. The escorting staff have to wear high viz, I believe by law, and you may be safer if you hack in it too.

Seriously, if you are returning late in life there are things you should know:-

With new modern thicker boots (if you buy those), including Ariat terrain. check that any riding school stirrups are big enough for your feet.

Also be aware that Ariat jod boots -the more expensive ones have some springiness in the soles to reduce the wear on your joints and make dismounting softer.

If you have bought cheap long boots, I'd wear them for a bit. And see how things go. I startted with very basic kit - and replaced it after about a year when I knew i was going to go on riding. gradually I have moved more and more up market.
But dont buy anything you really dont like as it could quite easily last you for years.

[k8_doran]

dont worry what you wear, as long as you have jodhpurs and either jodhpur boots or long riding boots then thats all you need (hat too!) wear whatever you like on the top half, as long as you are warm!

[coblover26]

Walking boots can be quite wide and there is a danger they can get stuck in the stirrup if you have a fall
I had this problem. Because I was working down at this yard I had proper boots for riding and just some other boots for like mucking out in and general messing about it. lol
Anyhow, I didn't change them before I went for my lesson and they were really tight in the stirrup so I got off and went to change them quickly. Never worn them since.
I got brand new riding boots now :) Which I really like :D :p

[coblover26]

dont worry what you wear, as long as you have jodhpurs and either jodhpur boots or long riding boots then thats all you need (hat too!) wear whatever you like on the top half, as long as you are warm!

I agree. I just wear whatever I like on the top half.
But don't forget the hat!! hehe :D

[Hallmarked]

The only thing I would like to add is buy gear that fits well. It might sound obvious, but if you find half way through a hack or lesson that something is slipping and rubbing or digging in, it's hell on earth. I once wore a tee-shirt that had shrunk slightly in the wash and it rode up under my arms quite uncomfortably. These days I tend to wear properly designed sports tops but that's just my preference. I've seen a few blisters or friction sores from rubbing seams -owch:eek:

Make sure you get a qualified hat fitter to help you choose your hat, ask in the shop. As well as the safety considerations a lot of schools wont let you ride if your hat doesn't meet current standards because of insurance implications.

Nobody worries about labels in the horsey world. Generally speaking the more expensive the better the quality and the longer the item will last, but choose for your own purse and taste.

PS - unless you have a boyish figure a good sports bra (well fitting of course) is a good idea. The current issue of "Your Horse" magazine has a tried and tested article if you are interested.

[Dolly's mum]

Could the boots/shoes people were wearing have been something like the Ariat all-terrains (http://www.nextag.com/ariat-terrain/search-html)? They're made for riding, but are comfortable for walking too.

Or possible mountain horse paddock boots. I have a pair and I love them to bits. Lovely for riding in and very comfortable to wear around the yard. I wear them with black half chaps and very comfy pull on Jods :D

[jinglejoys]

I bought a pair of Mountain boots but the lases keep coming undone! Any tips?:)