I am going to be starting horse riding lessons probably the weekend after this one and will be learning english style. I want to eventually do some dressage and show jumping and maybe cross country. What should I expect for my first time on a horse, and what should I be aware of. Also, which clothes do I need to wear? I know a helmet, boots, and gloves are essentials. What about breeches?
Also I am a bit confused about helmets and hair. I am a guy with longish shaggy hair that is layered. Under Rider Attire, the riding school blurb says that hair should be out of the face and be NEATLY hidden under riding hat. or be NEATLY pulled back in a bun, braid, or styled above the collar (their emphasis). But under a website I found about fitting a helmet it said wear your hair in a pony tail at the base of your neck, if it is long. DO NOT tuck your hair into your helmet as it will distort the fit. So what do you do? My hair will stick out from under the helmet for sure so I am not sure what to do or wonder if anyone will care that much.
Well have fun! But at the same time if your wanting to do dressage , show jumping etc you should be serious. English riding is a good choice!
They will probz show you for your first lesson how to get on & off obviously , how to hold the reins correctly , how too steer left & right and how to stop the horse but also how to get them to walk on with your leg but dnt worry im sure you will have a leader for the time being untill your instructor thinks your capable of keeping the horse under control in walk & trot which is another thing you will have a go at something called sitting trot for your first attemped just to see how it feels. Then they will show you what to do with your rising trot ( standing up and down out of the saddle using your legs to push you up but also putting your hands under the front of the saddle will help you balance untill you get the hang of it but is also there for support to help you as well) . They may tell you a few things about the horse or its tack. If you do have faults obviously the instructor wont keep getting at you but will say something every now & again just to remind you. She or he may ask you what you liked about the horse and what you didnt or what you found easy and what you didnt but also how you can work on them things to improve them but it really just takes time.
And i would advise if your serious to get breeches as there alot comfyer to ride in than jeans and alot of stable dont allow clients to ride in them and we dont at the stable where i teach & work. Yes long hair should be tied back so ir doesnt get tangled in anything there all health & saftey haha but i wouldnt worry too much as so long as its back and wont get in your face dont worry! Even if it does stick out at the back mine does and iv never been told different yet soo there ya go haha. And as for the gloves its totally up to you we usually say if its cold wear them but you can get some gloves with grips of which can make it easier to grip your reins.
Hope this helps and hope you do well! (:
You don’t NEED gloves or breeches! Instead of buying breeches just wear a pair of old jeans!
ok, just wondering if u could post a pic with ur helmet on, that way we can see wat the problem is. but im a girl with long hair and i put mine up in a ponytail and tuck that into my helmet, all my frands do this, and our helmets fit fine still, seems how i fell off a horse and landed on my head and the helmet saved my life, i only ended up with a concussion, so, yea. most places don’t make u wear riding breeches for first lessons, the place where i ride we can always ride in watever we want, but ur place seems pretty fancy, judging by their obsession with hair and helmets. but if i were u i would just wear jeans or long pants. and you will probably learn to groom and tack up your horse, then u will probably get to ride, im guessing you’ll learn to walk and steer and learn about position, seems how this is wat i did. good luck and have fun, how old r u btw?
A pony tail should be fine – yes, you will distort the fit of a hat by tucking it underneath. If it’s really long, band it all the way down. The guiding principle is that it must not get in your face or caught up in the reins etc.
You should be able to get away with jog pants or similar for the first couple of lessons. When you decide you want to carry on, then buy breeches and boots. The boots are important; you need ankle support, a one piece fairly smooth sole, and a small but clearly defined heel to stop your foot sliding through the stirrup.
The fit of the hat is vital – go to a saddler or riding outfitter where staff are trained to fit hats correctly – they can also advise you about how to wear your hair. Don’t buy a secondhand hat, it may be cracked where you can’t see it.
Have fun!
You should know that the first time riding your legs are going to hurt alot for the first month or so and maybe a while after that to. At the beginning you pretty much learn the basics like turning, stopping and walking. When you start to do more things and gain more leg muscle your upper thighs ache so yeah just a "warning" I guess. You wont jump for awhile but be patient because you need to work up to it. You need to wear shoes with a heel so your foot wont slip out of the stirrup as easily. You can buy shoes which I would recommend if you have stopped growing so you wont ned to keep buying and also if you know you will stick with the sport. You can wear jeans but most riders wear breeches: http://www.horsetackinternational.com/images/H272-mens-breech.jpg or sometimes jodhpurs: http://www.redleafequestrian.co.uk/USERIMAGES/MHB.JPG
You don’t need gloves. Usually people wear them when it is cold or their horse pulls at the reins. If your hair is shoulder length or longer then I would wear a ponytail but otherwise you will be fine. People wear their hair up so it doesn’t get in their face while they are riding. I often tuck my hair under my helmet with a hair net and it doesn’t affect my helmet. Oh and don’t wear gumboots or especially not a biking helmet!
Hope I helped!
Okay, first off congrats on riding! it will be so fun.
I know you’ll love it.
when you first start riding you’ll pretty much just walk around, but don’t worry it gets alot more fun that that!
right now you just need some cheap paddock boots with a small heel so your feet won’t slip through the stirrups (if the horse spooked and you fell of and your foot was stuck that would be terrible!), a helmet is super imporant!, and gloves if you want them.
you dpn’t need breeches or jodphurs (breeches-shorter for tall boots, and jodphurs are long, and cover the shoe, for shoter paddock boots.)
white breeches/jodphurs are more for dressage, as tan or beige are for hunter jumpers/jumpers/cross country
because you may not like riding, and want to quit.
i’m a girl, and have long bangs, but not long enough to put them up, i just push them back and put my helmet on, and it stays out of the way.
you can tuck the bangs up in the helmet also, if it’s just the bangs it won’t change the fit of a helmet.
a suggestion for a helmet-don’t buy one with the foam stuff at the end. buy one that has plastic convering them.
it may be a little more expesive (20 dollars for the cheaper one compared to 50) but if you fall off once (which everyone does eventually) then it will most likely break then you’ll have to by another one, and end up spending 50 anyhow.
the only time that it’s really essential to have it neat and tidy is at a show wchich will be a little while away if your first time on a horse is next weekend.
you’ll use a mounting block to get up, and you mount from the left put your left foor in the stirrup (I’ve seen people put their right foot in and end up wondering where the horses head was) lean on the saddle and swing your right foot over, but don’t plop down, the horse won’t like it. just gently setle yourself in the saddle.
you’ll probably be led most of the time, but then again maybe not.
but im’ almost positive you’ll just be walking.
but if you get nervous think about something that you like. I find thinking about my favourite thing, or movie helps, and not over concentrating on riding (yes there is such thing)
but if your still nervous, flap your arms like a chicken.
I know this sounds retarded, but it works!
one time i rode this big mare that HATED being touched with your feet.
you just had to click your toungue and she would go.
I concentrated so much on not kicking her that all i did the entire time was bump her with my heels, which brings me to another suggestion: keep your heels down as far as you can. the first few lessons will feel like your ankles are about to break, but strust me, they won’t. if you put your feet on the stairs and push your heels down and up again, it hhelps.
I would start it before you go.
also you’ll get very sore, so you should strech every night after your lessons.
but all in all, just expect to ave fun! because that’s what you’ll have.
riding is an absolute blast, i hope you have a good first lesson!
one more thing- after your first lesson dismount very slowly so that you don’t fall.
(At my first lesson my legs were so weak afterwards, when i went to get down i fell right on my bum!)
if there is anything else your curious about, just email me
HunterJumper78@yahoo.com
you do NOT need to wear gloves, or breeches. just plain jeans work fine. most places actually have you ride western since it is easier. Once you are comfortable on the horse, you can ride english. Don’t be planning on any dressage x-country or jumping any time soon because you HAVE to get the basics down first, and be comfortable with cantering and have a good balance then you will start focusing on the specific style within english. as far as the riding boots go also, just get paddock boots. they are cheaper, shorter, and work for both english/western. Save the tall boots for showing!
as far as your hair goes, just put it in a pony tail. Good luck with your riding! 
Ok! First of all u dont NEED gloves or breeches but they are optional! I wouldnt buy them yet in case you dont enjoy riding! If you do enjoy riding and intend on continuing it then u may purchase those items! You can just wear a pair of old jeans or a nice fitting pair of jeans that you feel comforatble in ( Heads up your pants will be getting dirty!) You also can either buy or borrow a helmet if they have helmets at your stable! Also when your own a horse it can feel very odd for the first time! It might feel different because you could be used to being so close to the ground but your towering over it now on a horse! DONT be nervous or the horse will feel your nerves and get nervous to! Also warning you after your first lesson your legs might hurt a little bit on the second day but when you continue to ride for a while your legs will feel normal!
Enjoy and happy riding! ps. you can also keep ur hair up in a low ponytail!
No do NOT wear jeans, they pinch and chafe and are very uncomfortable. I would buy a pair of breeches, but don’t buy the super expensive ones.
just wear jeans and a t shirt, wear your hair normal. no one will care. you don’t need gloves unless it is cold
remember; relax!!! if
Pretty much every question you asked is dependent on the location of which you are riding. For example i ride at two different barns. One is a real snazzy show place where for anything your decked out – nice helmet, hair tucked up, polo or nice shirt, gloves, breeches, tall boots, etc. The other barn however you can wear whatever you want. Old jeans or even shorts (not suggested though), a regular T or tank top, and your hair in a pony tail. Call this place and ask them what they suggest you wear