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You have gone through the steps to find the right instructor; you have scheduled your first lesson! "What do I wear? Horse people seem to have so much equipment, and what do I start buying?" Do not buy anything just yet! Have a lesson or two before you become hooked! It makes no sense to buy gear that you may never use again.
Your instructor should have helmets available if she is teaching beginner lessons. Call her and verify that she does have them. This is the most important piece of equipment. You should insist that you wear one. If your instructor seems lax about the use of one, consider a different instructor. Having you wear a helmet is a protection of her liability. She should insist that you wear one!
For your first couple of lessons, you should wear long pants, preferably stretch pants. In a western saddle, the stirrup leathers will not pinch your leg. So, jeans would be appropriate in a western lesson. Using an english saddle, however, can be a trick. The stirrup leathers can and will pinch your legs. Jeans tend to ride up your leg, but can be stabilized with some tape or bandage. Stretch pants are good to use, but you also run into the problem of getting pinched. If you do get pinched let your instructor know, and bandage the area of your leg. Most people find a pair of pants that are comfortable to them, and do not have a problem with leg pinch. It is just a matter of patience, and finding the right pant.
Your shoes should have a heel on them, and they should be closed around your foot. Sandals and any other open toed shoe is not acceptable around horses. If a horse steps directly on your foot, you will be in pain, possibly unable to walk well for months. Please wear covered shoes around horses all of the time! The heel of the shoe is very important. You need a heel to prevent the stirrup from sliding back on to your leg, meaning your foot sliding through. Imagine your foot has slipped completely though the stirrup, and the horse spooks, or takes off. If you could not control the horse, and you fall, you could be dragged until the horse stops. Heels prevent fatal injuries! So do not wear sneakers. You need to wear a boot that has a good, definite heel.
Shirts should be tucked in neatly before you mount a horse. This prevents you from getting caught on any part of the saddle. It is also important that you avoid buttoned shirts. These tend to catch very easily on western saddles. Also, if you ever had to emergency dismount, a loose shirt could prevent you from getting away safely.
Your hair should be neat and tidy. If you have long hair, pull it into a braid. Hair can be a large distraction when riding. So, tend to it before you put your helmet on and make sure you will not have bangs dangling in your eyes. Hairnets help prevent small portions of hair from moving out of the helmet. You will find, most riders use hairnets when schooling their horses.
If you find you really like your lessons, and want to continue your riding hobby or career, you should consider purchasing some gear. I would suggest buying a helmet that fits you and makes you feel comfortable. Try all different models and sizes. Look for a helmet that does not move around on your head, and it rests half way between your hairline and your eyebrows. Plastic helmets are great; but, if they have air vents, purchase a cover for the helmet. Sticks and other materials can get caught in there when trail riding, and may pull you off your horse.
I would also consider purchasing some thin riding gloves. They prevent wear on your fingers, and help keep the reins from slipping out of your hands. A good pair of gloves prices anywhere from ten dollars to thirty. Leather is your best choice, but there are good cloth gloves that have patches for rein protection.
Half chaps are another consideration to prevent leg pinch. These are fairly inexpensive, and allow you to wear your normal riding clothing. They are leather leggings that come up bellow your knee. They wrap around your leg, and allow your pants to be underneath. These items price from fifty to one hundred dollars. They slip over any shoe. This is a much better option than purchasing boots and britches.
If you are having difficulty with your shoes, and you feel you need to find a better fit, I would suggest paddock boots. Tack stores and catalogues sell them at fifty to two hundred dollars a pair. Make sure you have room in them for a winter sock! Also, you want your boots to be waterproof. Leather can get really cold if it is wet! Discuss the proper fit and boot for yourself with tack professionals.
Remember to wear your helmet every time you are riding a horse, and make sure you are wearing covered shoes. I have discussed some necessary equipment you will need to get started. You can customize this list for things that you will need. Take a couple of lessons, and find out what will make you more comfortable riding. Good Luck!
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