What to wear for a lesson

[kitkatt456]

I'v only had a couple of lessons and so far I've worn jeans and these shoes I have that have a heel. At my last lesson one of the ladies at the stable showed me some tall boots that fit me but I need different pants. My instructer told me that I could just buy some leggings and wear sweat pants over them. I was just wondering what everyone else wore at their lessons. and if it is common to wear leggings if you dont have breeches or jods.

I was just wondering!!!!:)

[mikka]

kittkatt, what kind of riding is it, English? If so, you can wear just about anything as long as the footwear has a heel of, I believe, 1/4 inch (but check it out). That's just a safety concern. Beyond that, there really are no "rules".

For comfort, you might want to wear something tight-fitting over the lower regions, though it need not necessarily be breeches (see Bev Heron's recent posts). If the fabric is slippery, you're going to slide around. Had I to choose between jeans or a slippery fabric, I'd go with jeans.

One of the advantages to tight-fitting gear (and short-waisted tops) is that the instructor will be a able to see exactly what you're doing when you ride.

For a start, I think that's all you need. You may want to buy, assuming good footwear, a pair of breeches as time goes on; then some short boots if your current shoes don't suit (don't buy at equine shops - you can find good shoes at regular shoe shops); then, maybe, some chaps....and eventually some high boots. It all depends upon your budget.

You can do it all very slowly. But you really have to cover the most critical issues quickly: headwear (helmet) and footwear.

[Peace]

I generally wear jeans, short boots, and sometimes half-chaps (they're suede things that wrap around the calf of your leg). Sweatshirt or t-shirt, depending on the weather, and a helmet. You are wearing a helmet, right? :)

I don't really like tall boots - to me, they feel sort of restrictive. But then I ride western nowadays - new pony has only done western, and since I'm the older of the two of us, I guess it's up to me to switch:rolleyes: . So I suppose it's just as well I never got used to tall boots.:)

[Gracie]

I wear jeans and chaps most of the time too!:)

I've seen riders who don't have breeches or jodhopers wear leggings with tall boots as well! IT is common!

[ravenin]

Tossing in my 2 cents to say that you should get yourself a pair of breeches or jods ASAP! I'm a big advocate of the idea that riding clothes are made FOR RIDING, so why not use them? They're made to not slide around via knee patches or even a full seat, they're made without bumps or seams to chafe you, they're made not to bunch up...so why not get some! That way you don't have to worry about potentially annoying or painful issues w/pants not made for riding.
Not everyone considers them flattering, but that's just it, it's not about fashion so much as function.
I'd get a pair as soon as you can!

[kitkatt456]

I ride english! I'm going to buy a pair of tall boots from one of the ladies at pony club. I wore them today for my lesson and found they were alot better to ride it. But they sure do feel stiff walking on the ground in. I felt like a barbie! lol.. yes I am wearing a helmet, but its not mine, its my instructer's so I have to get my own soon.

I'm gonna drag my dad to the horse and rider store next weekend and check out some riding apparel!:D

[Dressage_Luvr]

I wear jodhpurs and low boots

low boots (paddock boots) are soo comfy! lol and im getting a new pair of mountain horse winter riding boots, the low ones, i have the high ones, but, o the horror, theyre too small this yr! AGH!!!!!

ifyoure riding english, depending on the stuff u do, but a girl i ride with, wore jeans to ride, and went home with blisters and rubs covering her legs, ick! so gross

i have never ridden in jeans myself! lol ive never really wanted to find out how it feels to get your skin rubbed awya! lol.

if you can, i would definately invest in jods or breeches!

thats great about getting the high boots, they will fell very stiff at first, but wil usually soften, and dropdown a little bit.

[Gracie]

I agree to try to invest if you can! They are much more comfortable! Even if you can get your hands on a pair preloved(*used!) Its a great investment!:)

[FreedomStar]

I wear a pair of old breeches and paddock boots(these are sooooo comfortable just like dressage_luvr said). On cold or rainy days, I wear a jacket or sweater over my shirt and a raincoat on rainy days.

[kitkatt456]

thanks for the advice! right now i'm just wearing leggings with sweats over top, a bunny hug and a fleece(it is very cold here!) but I will try to get breeches for x-mas
whats the differece between breeches and jodhpurs? is one better then the other?

[Sparkle]

Breeches are made to wear with long boots, and jodhpurs are for short boots.

[soaring_eagle]

i wear 2nd hand jods (which i love!), short boots (that i bought for £30!!!) a hat i got for christmas (shiney and new) and usually my big wax as it rains a lot!!! :) You don't need fancy gear to learn in as long as it's comfortable!

[Orcaharmony]

if it is a choice between jeans and leggins, wear leggins as jeans can tend to rub a little. if the leggins make you slide around though it would be saffer to wear jeans or just buy 2nd hand ( i think u can get them new from £25) 2nd hand boots r a good investment as the heel is safe and i always found proper riding boots (of any sort) a lot more comfy than wellys or trainers. obviously wear a hard hat, could save your life one day, saved my friends.

[Orcaharmony]

Sorry, 2nd hand Joddys!!!! gettin tongue tied

[ridehorses]

does anyone have those jean-breeches?
here's a pic.... they look comfy!

[ridehorses]

i guess you can wear tall boots with them....

[kitkatt456]

those look cool! they must me expensive:(
I wear leggings right now and I have 2nd hand tall boots and I just got a brand new helmet!:D

[ridehorses]

question~do you wear jods or breeches with half chaps?

[MyStIc139]

Im getting a pair of jods like the one ridehorses has pics of and they're really good for just riding or hacking and u can wear them wit either long boots or short boots (short boots can be worn wit jods or breeches) :D and denim suits me sooo i like them lolz. And apparently the are very non slide
I love short boots but i want a pair of long ones cuz of the weather in engand, cuz it gets a bit mucky when it rains for monthsssssss :rolleyes:
normally i ride in summer in a tank top and lite jacket and in winter in a long sleeved shirt or jumper and a jaket or lite wieght coat.
When i first started riding (i stoped but im starting soon again) i wore leggings and sum shoes i had with a heel and i neva got ne sores tho i did slip around a lot and i wore jeans once and they were fine i dident rub.

Oh yeah ridehorses u can wear them wit either i find them more comfy wit jods

[Crazy horse2601]

i wear jods with long boots. (i know ** surposed 2 hav short boots wit jods but *** the heck!:D ) I love my boots, they protect my calfs and my jods r very comfy wen i'm up the stables all day (most of the time!). :D my jods i picked up second hand and my helmet and boots i brought cheap at a warehouse. I don't c the point of bying shoes to ride in wen u could just get some proper riding stuff instead. I fink u should just get *** your comfy in, in riding dats very important. It sort of takes the fun out of things if you are unconfortable in the saddle because of your clothes! sorry 4 babbling, hope i help! :D

[bebophutch]

i wear, Johds, short boots, and chaps, and a charles owen hat:D :D :D :D

[virtuallyhorses]

Wear whatever you are comfortable in for lessons, if money is a factor (isn't it always ? ;) ) I'd suggest a solid pair of leggings as they tend to be a fraction of the price of jods and try to find a decent pair of short boots, flat with a heel. Then just wear a t-shirt or whatever on top. I'd definitely advise something stretchy for pants - I don't know how anyone rides in jeans but I guess its what you get used to - I buy everything with stretch in it just because its so much more comfy.

Don't rule out the local shoe shop for the boots - they don't HAVE to be specialist riding boots - there are many 'work boots' that are solid, well made and the same style as jodphur boots (elasticated sides etc). If you can't find anything in the womens dept look at the mens boots - if you can find your size you'll be on a winner - mens boots are usually a little wider but this can be a welcome bonus!

[Showjumper03]

I wear:
Breeches-They are comfy warm tigh fittingand have protection on the inside of the knee area so you wont get saddle burn ( It hurts)
Shirt- A tighter fitting one nothing floppy
Gloves-Gloves with palm gripps are nice
Boots-I like half chaps and paddock boots there comfortable easy to put your heel down and warm in winter!
Hope it helps!:)

[Showjumper03]

I wear:
Breeches-They are comfy warm tigh fittingand have protection on the inside of the knee area so you wont get saddle burn ( It hurts)
Shirt- A tighter fitting one nothing floppy
Gloves-Gloves with palm gripps are nice
Boots-I like half chaps and paddock boots there comfortable easy to put your heel down and warm in winter!
Helmet: Dont worry about it for now but I use a Devon Aire Aegis is comfy and it has a thing at the back to fit it snuggly to your head size ( got it from www.jupitertack.com
Hope it helps!:)

[ojoisland]

If you're going to buy breeches, buy the full seat, I think they are the most effective! At my first few lessons, I wore the knee patch breeches and I started getting bruises, etc but once I invested on the full seat, I stop getting those nasty marks.

[kitkatt456]

wow i wrote this a long time ago! I havnt boughten breeches yet but i want to. How much around do they cost? More than $100?

[tarkia]

I wear my riding had a little top, or a jumper. Jodphurs and long rubber riding boots.

[makebelieve]

Ok, I'm lost. What is the difference between breeches and jods? I always thought it was the cut.

[virtuallyhorses]

Breeches are for long boots and end just below the knee - you wear them with long socks whereas jods are ankle length for short boots. To be difficult manufacturers often swap the names about at random, frequently calling any white pants breeches :rolleyes:

[InLuvWithHorses]

Can jodphurs go with long boots?

[arabluvver]

I used to wear just jeans, boots, and one of my stable's helmets. My jeans never rubbed, but I did tend to slide around a bit in the saddle;) so my instructor suggested I get chaps. I also got my own helmet, which is nice (you're not swimming in other people's sweat! :D ).

[virtuallyhorses]

Originally posted by InLuvWithHorses
Can jodphurs go with long boots?

Yep - as long as they'll fit :) The reason that breeches are put with long boots is simply that long boots are usually quite snug fitting - so when you try to put them on with jodphurs the jods tend to ride up, bulge and generally be a pain :( But if you can get them on there's certainly no rule against it ....

[Showjumper03]

Hi kitkat456!
Whell when I ride I wear:
1. Tuff Rider breeches 85$
2. paddock boots 69$ on sale!
3. Half chaps 95$
But when I started I hade:
1. Full cotten Jods from Tuff Rider 55$
2. Long riding boots 49$

( exuse my speling mistacke(s) I am dyslexic)

[Equisgurl]

dont get tall boots unless u plan to go to shows or if u have extra hundred bucks to spend. Other than that, and as previously mentioned, most important is to have paddock boots with good heel and comfy pair of pants, such as breeches or soft tight jeans.
I have these pair of jeans by l.e.i they are very stretchy and super soft, i love wearing them to my lesson.
but ussually I wear:
~Paddock boots
~Breeches
~Half chaps
~t-shirt
~sweatshirt when cold and gloves
~and helmet

go to tack stores and write down brand names and prices, then go on ebay and compare, I bet u will save a lot!
I got my boots for $55 at tack store, but later i looked on ebay, they have them around$15-30 (leather or synthetic)
then i made a mistake of buying breeches for $50, ussually on ebay they are $20-30.
I got my troxel helmet which is valued$80 at the store, for $50 on ebay and finally i got my half chaps first ones for $15, then i just got new ones for$20, great quality, way low price!!
Chaps are about $100 from the store, ebay around$30-40
Should I say more?
just look for best deals, make sure u know your sizes before u bid, if u do. and have fun!
this is a pic of half chaps i got for $20 on ebay, I love them!!
http://i3.ebayimg.com/03/i/00/af/03/eb_1.JPG