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If you’re about to climb into the saddle for the first time, you need the right gear to keep you safe and comfortable. There are many different brands, styles, and types of horse riding gear and tack to choose from, and sheer variety can make it challenging for beginners to choose the right options for their specific needs.
Ayr Equestrian is here to help. In this gear and horse tack guide, we’ll explore all the most essential horse riding gear for beginners and take a look at equipment and attire for riders and horses. Our years of experience with our own equestrian centre ensures that we can recommend tried-and-tested top-tier equestrian products that offer you ultimate satisfaction right from the start.
Beginner Horse Riding Gear Guide
Expert horse riders can make riding seem effortless, but some preparation is required to ensure a safe and memorable venture. Before you get into the saddle, you should ensure that you have everything you need to make your riding experience smooth and successful.
There are dozens of different pieces of equipment and accessories available online, and while some of them can be pricey, the good news is that you don’t need to spend vast sums of money to secure what you need as a novice.
Here is what you should invest in to start building your skill and confidence on horseback.
Safety Gear
Safety should be your number one priority as a beginner. You need to invest in high quality safety gear that aligns with industry safety standards to protect you against a range of risks, from slips and falls to kicks and other potential riding accidents.
It’s also important to remember that you should have your gear fitted by a professional if possible. This will ensure that your safety equipment fits optimally and provides maximum protection on the track and trails and around the stables.
Horse Riding Helmets
Horse riding helmets are must-have equipment for riders of all ages and skill levels. These all-important head coverings protect your head against all sorts of injuries, many of which inexperienced riders may be more at risk of. There are many different styles and designs available, some of which are suited to specific horse riding activities.
We recommend doing some research to choose a helmet that protects you properly during riding while also showcasing your unique sense of style, like the Charles Owen Ayr 8 Plus Leather Look Riding Helmet or the Karben Valentina Riding Hat.
Body Protectors and Vests
Beginner horse riders can choose from two key types of safety vests: air vests and body protectors.
Air vests automatically inflate during impact or a fall, cushioning your body and internal organs and stabilising your back and neck to prevent injuries.
Body protectors, like our Whitaker Pro Body Protector, work by absorbing the shock of impacts, protecting your body from damage. Either option will protect you as a beginner, so your choice between them will largely be down to personal preference.
Horse Riding Attire
Horse riding clothing is designed to keep you cool, comfortable, protected, and safeguarded against the elements while on horseback.
The wide selection of styles, colours and fits available allows you to tailor your riding wardrobe to your sense of style so that you can still express yourself during all of your favourite activities.
Horse Riding Base and Outer Layers
Beginners can choose from a vast range of horse riding tops, ranging from thermal layers to fleeces, jackets, and competition layers.
Your horse riding tops of choice should fit comfortably without being too loose or tight and provide adequate protection against the elements. Consider a stylish waterproof jacket like the LeMieux AW24 Ladies Anya Waterproof Riding Coat to stay dry in rainy conditions.
Riding Tights and Breeches
Horse riders have unique styles of bottoms that provide additional traction and protection for riding purposes.
English riders typically opt for jodhpurs or breeches, like the Ariat Tri Factor Grip Knee Patch breeches. These are similar to leggings and have a high-grip fabric sewn into the seams for extra traction. Western riders often choose horse riding leggings like our Le Mieux Demi Pull On Bregging for comfort and breathability.
Horse Riding Boots
Beginner riders should always invest in specialised horse riding boots. Riding footwear is purpose designed to support your feet and ankles, prevent them from slipping in the stirrups, and offer superior traction that allows you to direct your horse and stay securely in your saddle.
If you’re considering going into English riding, the most popular riding boot choices are full boots, paddock boots, or half chaps. Top choices for beginners include the Ariat Ascent Tall Boot, the Just Togs Shoreditch Front Zip Paddock Boot, and the Moretta Albina Riding Boot.
If Western riding appeals to you, there are plenty of country riding boot styles to explore, from Dublin River Boots IV to the Ariat Wythburn Tall H2O range.
Some brands even offer riding boots specifically designed for certain weather conditions, including warm and insulated winter boots like the Brogini Kendal Sub-Zero Snow Boot that will keep you cosy, come rain or snow.
Riding Gloves
Riding gloves provide essential protection for your hands, helping you to keep a firm grip on the reins without chafing or blistering.
While these are not must-have attire for beginner riders, they may be useful as they will cushion your hands while you become used to the pulling and pressure of directing your horse.
Horse Tack Guide
Once you’ve curated a horse riding wardrobe that meets your needs, it’s time to consider the needs of your horse, too. If you plan on taking lessons from stables that provide your horse, the stables may provide the tack you need for safe riding. However, if you will be using your own horse – or if the stables don’t provide tack for learners – you’ll need to invest in your own horse gear.
Well-fitted, comfortable tack is crucial for your horse, as using uncomfortable or ill-fitting tack can cause ongoing discomfort and may even injure it. A professional gear fitter or an instructor can provide guidance on the best fitting and sizing practices to keep your horse comfortable at all times.
The horse tack you may need to purchase as a beginner will include a saddle and saddle pad, saddle accessories such as lead ropes and halters, cinches and girths, cross ties, halters and bridles, and a properly fitted horse bit.
All of this horse riding gear works together to keep your saddle and bridles secure, ensure that you can maintain your position on horseback, and keep your horse safe and free from harm.
Saddles and Saddle Pads
Saddles are the largest pieces of horse tack you’ll need to invest in and will play a vital role in your and your horse’s riding experience. Your saddle will keep you balanced and stable during all riding activities, and the right choice will help you maintain your form on horseback.
Horse riding saddles come in a wide variety of sizes for riders of all ages and sizes, as well as for horses of all frame sizes. English and Western saddles vary considerably in style, with Western saddles featuring wider seats, front horns, and heavier designs to maximize your stability.
English saddles are notably lighter and flatter in design. Their stirrups are shorter to keep riders' legs elevated during rides.
Saddle pads work with your saddle, providing a breathable protective layer between the saddle and your horse’s back to keep your horse comfortable, protected, and free from chafing and irritation. They also work to keep your saddle stable, which can reduce your risk of slips and falls as a result.
Cinches and Girths
Girths are used exclusively for English riding saddles, and cinches are only used for Western saddles. These pieces of tack serve similar functions; they’re wrapped around your horse’s abdomen to secure your saddle.
They both come in a variety of widths and lengths to suit different sizes of horse, making it vital to find one that fits your unique horse to ensure comfort and protection.
Horse Bits and Bridles
Your bridle and bit will work together, assisting you in controlling your horse and their direction. Bridles wrap around your horse’s head and ears, and bits are inserted into your horse’s mouth.
Horse bits come in many different designs and can be crafted from metal, rubber, or other materials. Selecting the right bit size ensures that your horse is comfortable during rides and does not experience pinching or discomfort while wearing it.
Riding Reins
Reins allow you to control your horse while you’re in the saddle. They are attached to the side rings of your horse bit and offer two long pieces that you can hold onto while moving. Usually made of leather, like our RAPIDA Pro Suregrip Reins, riding reins come in many different styles and lengths to suit all riders’ needs.
The right set of reins should be long enough to provide excellent control of your horse and allow you to maintain your grip easily during riding activities.
Lead Ropes and Halters
Halters fit around your horse’s head and allow you to steer them while working with but not riding them. Halters don’t require bits, making them more comfortable for your horse to wear while still enabling you to guide them as needed.
Lead ropes attach to your halter, making it easier to walk your horse out to the paddock or back to the stables without a horse bit.
Horse Grooming Equipment
Grooming your horse should always form part of your regular riding routine. Ideally, you should perform grooming before and after each of your lessons to keep your horse in great condition. This also allows you to check for swelling, injuries, chafing, and other issues that you may need to address.
Some barns and stables will provide you with grooming gear as part of your horse riding gear, but you might need to invest in your own if they do not. The essentials include soft and hard brushes and a curry comb for coat maintenance, sponges, cloths, equine shampoo and conditioner for washing your horse, a tail and mane brush, and a hoof pick to keep their hooves clean and healthy.
Additionally, you can consider buying a shedding blade to help them through their seasonal shedding and a fly spray like Carr & Day & Martin Flygard Extra Strength Insect Repellent to keep away unwanted pests. Consider adding a few special treats to your grooming sessions to get them used to the process, too!
Find Your Beginner Horse Riding Essentials at Ayr Equestrian
Ayr Equestrian brings you everything you need to ride with confidence as a beginner. We stock world-leading safety gear, premium quality horse riding clothing from some of the UK’s leading equestrian brands, and expert tools to help you care for your horse in the stable and beyond.
Explore our full horse riding boots, clothing, safety gear and grooming equipment collections. You’ll find must-have riding gear to streamline your learning process and keep you comfortable, secure, and in control of your riding experience.
