New riders are understandably enthusiastic about their equestrian hobby, and often want to dive right in and get all the gear!
With Christmas (and Black Friday) both fast approaching, now is a good time to spoil someone with some horse riding gear if you've got a child, spouse, or friend who's recently been bitten by the horsey bug.
Breeches or Riding Tights
One of the most important parts of a rider's wardrobe is a good pair of breeches or riding tights. These are far more comfortable than jeans or sweatpants when you're in the saddle, and are designed to give riders flexibility and freedom to move in the saddle.
You'll find a few different types including silicone and suede seat breeches, ones with grippy knee patches, or super lightweight and airy riding tights. For most Novice riders, your safest bet is to go for something with plain or silicone knee patches. Full seat breeches are often lovely, but new riders may find the stickiness difficult to adjust to.
If you live in a hot climate, riding tights can be a great gift as they're much cooler and lighter than traditional breeches. Here's a detailed guide to choosing between breeches and tights if you're still not sure which would be the best option.
Riding Boots
Boots are necessary from both a safety and practicality standpoint. Not only do a pair of good riding boots make it easier to feel the horse and give you decent grip in the stirrups, they're also suitable for all the other parts associated with horses; tacking up in stables, walking across paddocks, hosing your horse down, longeing, and so on. In sneakers, you end up with dirty, broken shoes and socks full of grass and sand very quickly! It's also good to remember that most riding-specific boots have sturdy toes to protect from a stray horse foot – this can be a lifesaver for new riders whose horsey spatial awareness skills are still developing!
On the horse itself, the extra ankle support provided by a boot helps to keep your ankle from rolling in the stirrup and can give the rider a better leg position. If you wear chaps or tall boots, it also stops the stirrup leathers from pinching the inner calves.