Helmet
The obvious reason for wearing avhelmet is to protect your head against trauma if you were to fall off. It is important to find a helmet that fits snugly and comfortably and will not slip off while you ride. The best way to test this is to wiggle the helmet before you climb on the horse. If it shifts too much, adjust the chin straps until it is secure.
Johdpurs
These tights are specifically mad for riding in comfort. They have extra padding to enusre minimun discomfort while riding as chaffing can occur after a long period of riding. They have a strap which goes under you foot to keep them in position going over jumps and gallops. They come in cream, white or black. When riding in competitions, they an essential piece of the uniform of whichever riding school you choose to join.
Riding boots
While many would think that any knee high boot would suffice for riding, it is vital to purchase a proper pair of riding boots. Not only are they for health and safety but for your comfort. The help to minimise chaffing of the thighs when riding for long distances and help to keep your johdpors in place. They have a slightly elevated heel to help keep your foot in the stirrup as well.
Riding coat
This is not essential for riding but becomes a mandatory part of the uniform when riding in competitions. While practising, you might only opt to wera your johdpor, boots and a shirt, but in competitions they have strict regulations for uniforms. They are usually black or red, double breasted and long sleeved.
Saddle
There are many different varieties of saddles. All of them have different purposes. This can range from work saddles to dressage sadles. The work saddles are heavier and robust while the dressage saddles are light. The saddles that you would commonly use would be small, light and without holding apparatus in the front. They are all mad with leather and have an adjustable belt for securely strapping the saddle onto the horses.
Stirrups
These are the small "pedals" which you place your feet into. It is very important to find a pair which are comfortable for your feet and can be adjusted. The typical length will have you in a seated position with your knees bent at a right angle. This is to help you stand up and lean forward over jumps and to help you life your body up when trotting.
Reigns and bits
Like saddles, there a few varieties of riegns and bits. For rising, it is important to have an adjustable reign and make sure that it is at an appropriate length so that you can comfortably sit back in the saddle and lean forward when you need to. The correct way to hold the reigns is with a short distance between your hands and the palms facing down. The reigns will pass under your fingers and go over your thumbs. This is to help stop the horse and to help guide the horses direction.
The bit is the piece of metal that goes into the mouth of the horse and connects to the reigns. Many would believe this would hurt the horse and this is only the case if the wrong bit is used and if too much force is put onto the reigns. The bit must fit snugly between the horses lips and behind their teeth and it is important to remember to never use excess force on the reigns. There are other ways to stop a horse including voice commands and using your thighs to squeeze the horses sides.
