I'd love some help on these things!...or any advice

[Krystyna]

Hi

I'm starting riding lessons in a few weeks for the first time and have a few queries....Hope you can help!!

1. Firstly is it best to get long boots or short boots and where can i get some

2. What are the best trousers to where?

3. Any idea how long it will take to master trotting, cantering or jumping??????

Thank you and any extra advice would be much appreciated

Lastly i just can't wait to start riding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Krystyna
:) :D :)

[KarinUS]

Please prepare your family in advance that from now on many conversations will venture off into horsey land... ;)

I am an adult beginner. I've had about 35 lessons so far. I feel comfortable now with walking, trotting, and cantering. Although reading some of my older posts I realized just how little time had gone by since I had fallen off and was a little worried about cantering.
I don't think I am afraid of falling right now anymore. I don't even think of falling when I ride. My instrcutor is very good at getting me focused. I was still pretty shaky at the canter when she demanded me asking for the correct leads. I have noticed I am less nervous when I have technical things like aids, timing, etc to worry about.
I have looked into tall boots at first, but being a tall girl myself, I'd have to spend a lot of money on the kind that would be long enough on me (Ariat $500!).
I am currently wearring paddock boots with half chaps and love them.
I wear breeches with extended knee patches or full seat (a little extra help doesn't hurt.) Hope this gives you an idea :)
Have fun and keep your heels down!

[Showjumper]

Don't go out buying loads of horsey gear until you're well and truly hoocked. Riding clothes and lessons and equipment are expensive! My riding hat cost me £49.99 and my body protector £80 - that's a lot of money; add to that the cost of riding lessons (£10 per lesson), boots (average around £20 for rubber long boots, more for leather or £25 for leather jodhpur boots) and crops, (I have a jumping bat, normal crop and schooling whip! The combined cost of those is about £15-£20). Borrow whatever you can from the stables until you're absolutely positive riding is what you want to do. Most stables will lend you a hat, and you can ride in shoes with a small heel. Not trainers because they can slip through the stirrups. Some people wear Wellies and I suppose those are OK.

I'd advise you wear jeans or leggings at first (again, jodhpurs and chaps etc are expensive). There's plenty of time for you to buy jodhpurs when you're ready.

Your progress as a rider depends on how quick you, individually, are to learn the basics required before you can become more adventurous.

Good Luck and Happy Landings! :D

I hope I helped

[KarinUS]

I agree with that. I started out in jeans as well. You don't have to get everything right from the start. You could ask your instructor and see what they recommend. :)

[Showjumper]

Aw, KarinUS - you're making my head swell! :D

[Wally]

Leggings and short johdpur boots are as good as anything to start with. Some cheap rubber boots can restrict your ankle. If you find riding isn't for you then you can wear the short boots with jeans.

An it will all depend on how many times a week you ride and whether you are fit and toned through other activinties as top how fast you master things. If you have to work on muscle tone and stamina as well as mastering riding it will take longer.

[claireh]

Hi Krystyna!

I agree totally with the others- don't rush out and buy all the gear until you are very sure riding is for you- it is a very expensive hobby!

Maybe once you have had a few lessons if you think you are going to get hooked you could look out for secondhand Johds, boots etc- there are often loads of things advertised in the papers here as 'nearly new' or 'worn twice' because someone has gone out and bought all the kit and then realised riding isn't for them! I have bought loads of stuff this way- the only thing I wouldn't buy secondhand is a hat- you can't be sure it hasn't been dropped or fallen on to!

Good Luck & let us know how you get on!

Showjumper-

Where in the Bristol area do you get lessons for £10?!! I have just been quoted £26 per hour for a private lesson and nearly £20 for a group lesson! I'd be interested to hear your views on good places to get some lessons in the Bristol area!

[qwerty]

I rode for a few lessons before I bought anything. I personaly like full length jodphurs, short jodphur boots so I can move my ankles and a hat (not skull, don't know what they are called!:) ). The school should provide a hat and boots to start with and ware trackies or something like that. Once you get into it think about buying your own gear...it makes you fel more professional!:D Prices will vary dependong on the brand and size. If you do buy a hat, buy one with childrens line because you don't get charged V.A.T! Mine cost be around £40, the boots £25 and jodphurs £20. It will depend on styles, brands etc. Have fun!:D

[Moonlightrider]

Short boots!!!!! Every single beginner I'm taught can NOT keep their heels down in tall boots. If you can, get them second hand. I always give away my old boots to people and if you know any people who ride that are your bootsize, get some from them. My boots were under $70 (new) but they're not the greatest, and they're synthetic.

I ride in some pants I found in the back of my closet. They're too short for regular wear (good for riding), and are closest to sweats then anything. I like them better then leggings 'cos I don't get pinched.

Everyone has there own speed. We have people trotting well by there second lesson, but we also have people who stay at a walk for longer then that. I started cantering after 4 months at the same time as a friend who'd been riding for over 4 years (although I think I'd have done better if they'd taught me to trot w/o stirrups first - the first thing I did was loose them and nearly come off!).

Good luck!

[LindaAd]

I'd go for paddock-type boots that you can wear when you're not riding as well (if you like wearing that sort of thing). If you're quite small, secondhand things are easy to find. I wouldn't ride in jeans, though - the seams really hurt, and they're all lumpy; better with sweatpants or leggings.

[Katie_85]

I concur. Short boots with a heel. Normal jeans will pinch with those stirrup leathers so go for stretch jeans with thin inseams. Once you are completely addicted, I think you will get a big thrill out of shopping for horse gear.:D Until then, you might just want to stick to the thins required for safety.:) Have fun!

[floppy]

i defiantely htink you shoudl go with the advice from wally in that if you just wear leggings and jodphurs boots and decide riding is not for you then you can wear your jodhpur boots as normal shoes!