Are you a beginner rider? Well, the right horse riding equipment can make all the difference to the beginner as well as the professionals.
It can be challenging to know how to pick the best horse riding equipment. There are so many different horses, saddles, and bridles; these all come with their pros and cons. Here, you will get some valuable tips on what to look for when buying your next set of horse riding gear.
Factors that may help you determine which type of items would work best for you include.
If you’re still not sure where to begin when it comes time to purchase your gear but want more information about what’s out there before making a decision, this blog post is here.
What type of riding are you interested in, English or Western
English riding is a form of horseback riding where the rider sits on a saddle and uses a variety of aids to control the horse.
Western riding is also known as cowboy or cowgirl-style riding, and it’s typically more prevalent in western movies.
In both styles, riders wear long boots with spurs for maximum grip when they’re on their horses. Both styles have been around since antiquity – Western-style originated from Spain while English style came from France.
There are some differences between the two types of riding. For example, in English, you can use your hands to give directions, whereas, in Western, you use slight movements of the body. Also, English riders don’t need to wear spurs because they rely on leg pressure instead.
The most important thing about any equestrian sport is safety – make sure that you always remember this before getting started!
Horse Riding Equipment list
Equipment is important for all horse riding enthusiasts. It’s the most basic necessity for your mount, and it can be not easy to ride without them. So here are some things you’ll need to get started:
Equipment for horse rider
- Riding pants (breeches or jodhpurs)
- Shirt
- Riding boots
- Half chaps
- Helmet
- Riding vest
Riding Gear list for horse
- Saddle (lightweight)
- Saddle pad
- Halter
- Girth
- Lead rope
- Bit
- Bridle
- Reins
- Horse blankets and sheets
- Stirrup irons and leather
Also, as a horse owner, it would help if you had Grooming tools, Fly spray & a First aid kit for your horse to be healthy and happy.
Equipment for horse rider
Riding pants
Riding pants are a must-have accessory that every rider should have in their closet. They come with many features, such as high denier fabrics, which are perfect for long rides or if you go out during the rainy season.
Some riding pants even offer protection from UV rays and skin allergies!
One thing you’ll need is a pair of special pants explicitly designed for horseback riding, known as breeches or jodhpurs.
- Breeches
Western riding pants are a great option for riders who want to maintain the look and feel of traditional riding breeches, but still stay cool on hot days. If you are looking for comfortable riding with breeches, then you can select this one as it is built with mesh fabric that is breathable and can circulate air.
There’s no such thing as one size fits all – find what works for you and buy those instead of trying something else just because it’s cheaper.
- Best jodhpurs for horse riding
Jodhpurs are a type of riding pants, typically worn by those who participate in English riding. It has been over 100 years of English Riding that jodhpurs are being used by the horse riders.
Today, jodhpurs come with added features like stretch panels, moisture-wicking capabilities, and knee patches that protect against wear from the saddle. Newer styles even include pockets located throughout the legs for additional storage options!
Jodhpurs are popular among casual riders and professional athletes because they offer comfort and practicality during long periods of horseback. With all these benefits combined into one style of pants.
Riding boots
There are many different types of riding boots on the market. The first thing to consider when choosing a boot is what you will be doing in it- whether that’s showing, English or Western, pleasure, trail riding, or anything else.
There are also several other factors that should be taken into consideration such as your budget and personal preference.
The most important thing to remember is fit! A well-fitted boot will do more for your equestrian career than any other purchase you can make so take time finding the perfect pair for you!
There are more other things available to consider before choosing the new pair of shoes.
Half chaps
Chaps are a type of protective wear that is often seen in the world of horse riding. The leather or synthetic fiber-made chaps cover the whole area of a rider from knees to ankle.
In addition, a new development in chaps called half chaps has been created for riders who want to have protection on their lower legs but not over all of them as full chaps do.
Half Chaps offer more flexibility than Full Chaps because they only protect your calfs and shins, whereas Full Chases go up to your knees. In addition, half Chapes provide better ventilation than Full Chases.
Helmet
Riding a horse is one of the most exciting, adventurous, and fun things to do. But with all those benefits come risks. One of the many ways to avoid these risks is by wearing a helmet while riding your horse.
Riding vest
A riding vest is an easy way to stay safe while horseback riding without wearing traditional safety gear. It also provides comfort by keeping you cool and dry when it’s hot out.
Riding vests come in different styles that can be worn over clothing or under your saddle pad, depending on preference.
The importance of equestrian clothing is something that most people overlook. It’s a shame because the right outfit can make or break your ride and it’s not always easy to find what you need at the last minute.
Also, you can use the best cell phone holder to save your mobile phone during horse riding.
Horse tack details you should know to get the best riding experience
Saddle
The most popular saddle in the world is called a Western Saddle from the horse gear list. It’s designed to be used on long-necked horses such as those found in North America.
The second most common type of saddle is an English Saddle. This one is designed for short-necked horses like those found in Europe and Australia.
Here are some factors to consider when choosing the right saddle for your needs-
- A Saddle with a deep seat is more comfortable for the rider.
- The weight of the saddle should be distributed evenly on both hips and shoulders.
- Leather or synthetic saddle can be easily cleaned and maintained.
- If the back of the horse isn’t level then you might face several problem to make sure that it is level for a comfortable riding.
- Avoid saddles with excessive padding, which may cause pressure points during long rides.
- It’s important to make sure that the saddle fits correctly before purchase, as it will need to conform to your body shape to provide comfort while riding.
An important consideration point while buying a saddle is how much weight it can carry before it starts hurting your horse. When choosing the right size for you, it will help if you consider your height, weight, and body shape.
Saddle pad
Check the pad’s weight and thickness – a thicker, heavier pad will provide more cushioning. Examine the stitching around the edges of the saddle pad for durability.
Look at how well it absorbs water – a good quality saddle pad should be able to absorb up to five times its weight in moisture without feeling wet. Consider your horse’s hair type in order to choosing a color or patterned saddle pad.
Make sure that you buy a size that fits your horse and has enough extra material on each side so that it can easily cover your horse’s back without bunching up under its tail.
When buying wool pads, make sure they’re made from 100% pure wool or have some percentage listed on them (like 50% wool) because this indicates what percentage of their materials are natural fibers such as cotton, linen, hemp, etc.
Which is better than synthetic materials like nylon and polyester since these wear down faster over time and don’t breathe as well as natural fibers do.
Halter
If you’re looking for a Halter that will last long and won’t easily break, then leather is your best choice.
There are many alternatives available for color – black, brown, navy blue – so choose whichever one suits your needs!
For added security and protection against slipping off the headstall during riding, try using double-ended snaps on each side of the crownpiece instead of buckles or clips.
To ensure that your collar doesn’t rub against their skin uncomfortably while they’re wearing it all day long (or night!), make sure that you have selected a soft material like fleece or wool.
Girth
Know the different types of Girth. Check for durability and material quality. Consider if it has a back protector. Make sure to measure your horse’s girth size before buying one.
Find out what type of saddle you are using, as this will determine the appropriate width of the Girth required. Again, you should not choose a saddle that is too tight or too loose around the horse’s belly.
Choose a good quality Girth for the horse with all these considerations in mind!
Lead rope
Choosing a suitable lead rope is an important step in horse care. A quality lead rope can last for years and will be more comfortable on your hands than a cheap, stiff one.
The best ropes are made from softer materials like cotton or wool that won’t cause damage to your hands when you’re working with them all day long.
It’s also good to choose a color that matches your horse’s tack so it looks uniform and professional while out on a trail ride or at a show event.
Bit
- Check the Bit‘s weight – a heavier Bit can be more effective for controlling a horse
- Look at the mouthpiece of the Bit – does it have small metal spikes, or is it smooth and rounded
- Consider if you want to use this Bit on multiple horses with different mouth shapes
- Think about how much pressure you want to apply when using this Bit- do you need an adjustable bit, or one that has two settings
- Determine whether you will be riding in an English saddle or Western saddle- make sure your choice of Bits matches your type of saddle
- Make sure there are no sharp edges on any part of the Bit that could injure your horse’s mouth while riding
- Choose a color that reflects what kind of rider you are (traditionalist, dressage rider, etc.)
Bridle
A bridle is a vital piece of gear for any horse rider. It not only holds the reins in place to control your horse but also allows you to attach other pieces of tack, such as bits and nosebands. Therefore, when choosing a quality bridle, you must consider what material will suit your needs best.
Reins
Having quality reins is very important when riding horses because if they fall apart or break, you won’t be able to use them and could leave yourself open for danger on the road.
Horse blankets and sheets
If you’re looking for something more lightweight but still practical, try our summer sheet sets made of 100% cotton rather than polyester! These are perfect if they have sensitive skin and need an alternative material that won’t cause discomfort.
Stirrup irons and stirrup leather
To find the best stirrup irons and leather for horse riding, look at the rider’s specifications to ensure you choose what is right for them.
Some riders prefer a shorter stirrup, while others may want one that is longer. In addition, leathers come in many different colors and thicknesses, so it’s important to match them with your needs.
Find the best gear to enjoy your riding & be happy with your loving horse!
Top 10 equestrian brands in the USA
| Brand Name | Specialty |
| 1. Weaver Leather | All accessories that are needed for horses. |
| 2. ARIAT | Best for equestrian clothing, like boots, cap, jeans, buckle belt, etc. |
| 3. Dover Saddlery | All kinds of equine-related products are available here. |
| 4. Tough 1 | Popular for horse boots & other products. |
| 5. TuffRider | Best for equestrian breeches, boots, shirts, etc. |
| 6. Wintec | For the saddle, stirrups, breastplates, etc. |
| 7. Kerrits | Best for breeches, gloves, etc. |
| 8. Harrison Howard | Grooming tools & related accessories. |
| 9. Intrepid International | Saddle pannier, half cup blinker hoods, lead rope & more. |
| 10. Smartpak | Best for horse feed, supplements & all kinds of equine products. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should you not wear when riding a horse?
When you are outing with your horse, certain things should not be worn. Riding boots or cowboy boots with spurs can cause injury to the horse and yourself if they get caught in the stirrup. Wearing heels while riding is also dangerous because it may result in an accident if your foot slips out of the stirrup. You should
also, avoid wearing skirts when riding because they could get caught around your leg, which could lead to severe injuries such as fractures or even death from getting dragged by a galloping horse.
If you have long hair, make sure it’s tied up securely into a ponytail so that it doesn’t fly around during activities like jumping over logs and streams where other horses might see you as prey and want to chase after them.
Are leggings OK to wear horse riding?
It’s a common question, “can I wear leggings while horse riding?” and the answer is YES! Leggings are great for horseback riding because they provide more stretch than jeans or chaps. They also have a wider waistband worn lower on the hips to keep them in place during trotting and galloping.
You’ll want to make sure your leggings are made of a material that won’t slip when you’re in the saddle – many fabrics will do this, so it’s best to check with your tack store or equestrian retailer before purchasing any pair of leggings.
Can you be too heavy to ride a horse?
It is a misconception that you can’t ride horses because of your weight. The truth is, it depends on the size and type of horse you are trying to ride and your ability level. For example, you may not be able to go riding in the mountains with an Arabian stallion or compete in dressage at the Olympics, but there are many breeds of horses that will allow for riders up to 300 pounds (136 kg).
The types of horses I would recommend for heavy riders include draft horses like Clydesdale’s and Shires, who often weigh between 1800-2200 pounds (816-907 kg) themselves; Cleveland Bays which average 1200 pounds (544 kg); Belgian Draft Horses which average 1100 pounds (499 kg);
Do horses need a barn?
The answer is “no”, but that doesn’t indicate they don’t need shelter. Horses are well adapted to living in a wide variety of climates, environments, and conditions – so long as they have access to clean water at all times. They do best when roaming freely in an environment with food sources- not just hay or grain.
If you are considering getting a horse, be sure to find out if the land you’re planning on keeping them on has enough space for them to move around freely without feeling too confined.
What does a horse need daily?
A horse needs to eat the right amount of food every day. A healthy adult horse should get about 2% of its body weight in dry matter (DM) feed each day, approximately 1-1/2 lbs for a 500 lb. horse or 3 lbs for an 800 lb. horse.
This equates to about 1 cup per 100 lbs of body weight daily, but that may vary depending on the type and quality of hay or pasture available and any other foods (such as grain) given during the day.
Conclusion
Horse riding equipment can be expensive, so it’s important to know what you need. Then, invest in the best quality gear for your horse and rider based on their needs. We hope this article has given you some insight into choosing great horse riding equipment that will last a long time.
If you have any other questions about finding or choosing the right equine accessories, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
My name is Kenneth E. Johnson and I am an equestrian enthusiast. I have a passion for helping others learn more about horses and their care, and I have written extensively on topics such as nutrition, behavior, health, riding, care, etc.
