Q&A for How to Dress for a Riding Lesson

You shouldn't wear shorts or sneakers. Instead, opt for snug-fitting riding pants and boots.

Yes, jeans are fine. Just make sure there are no embellishments on the back pockets, as these will rub on the saddle.

Your helmet should cover the front part of your head, below your hairline. Also, it shouldn't move when you shake your head up and down or side to side.

Converse sneakers are too flexible and thin to wear while riding. Even if you are riding for only a short while, wear boots or sturdier shoes.

Yes, it is safer to wear boots with a heel.

Leggings or jeggings (jean leggings) are supposed to be fitted, not loose. Wear loose jeggings for riding if you wish, provided they are not so loose that they may fall down or bunch and wrinkle uncomfortably.

Of course not! Any good teacher or instructor will be happy to answer all your questions. However, if you are asked to save your questions till the end of a session, you should do so.

If you are talking about riding tights, they are perfectly fine. If you mean normal tights, it is better to buy a proper pair of riding pants if you are taking lessons regularly.

The best shirt to wear for riding could be a polo shirt or a regular shirt. If you are riding on sand, I recommend a nice fitted, somewhat-long-sleeved shirt; if you do fall, you can get sand burns on your skin.

A large amount of paddock boots and tall boots have laces, so this won't be a concern.

Yes, but make sure you can move freely and that the trousers are fitted. They should not be loose so you can feel the horse's movements and so they don't distract the horse.

If they aren't too bulky and don't bother you, yes. (Do remember that gloves aren't essential.)

The leggings are fine, but a skirt is not an appropriate choice for riding.

Yes, if it's comfortable and fits well. You'll look very smart and feel confident. Look good, feel good!

You probably can. You might want to check with the place you're getting your lesson to be sure. But you'll want to get boots sooner rather than later. Riding without boots is not safe because if you get your foot caught in a stirrup or the horse steps on your foot, you could really be hurt.

Not really, but it is more comfortable to use high boots. As long as it has that heel, you should be okay.

If you really want to learn to ride, you should buy or ask for gifts of all the recommended equipment. If you're not prepared to kit yourself out properly, you should ask yourself if you're really committed to learning to horse ride. If you're just having a one off taster lesson or aren't sure if horse riding is for you, but are keen to try, wear the most comfortable jeans you've got that aren't ripped, flared, or very low rise.

If you have tall boots you won't need chaps, but if you're riding in paddock boots I would highly recommend wearing chaps to reduce pinching and blisters.

They're not necessary. As long as the socks you're wearing won't slip off while riding, you should be good.

Actually we do! You can find it here Ride Western.

No. You could get the laces/Velcro stuck either on the horse or in the stirrups. The tongue could also get caught on the stirrups or even the saddle. Try wearing a pair of hiking boots or even a pair of wellies (with a heel).

I would not ever wear a dress for any type of riding, except maybe sidesaddle.

Yes, you can.

Yes.

Durable rain boots with a slight heel may be appropriate for riding.

Yes, but if you do continue, make sure to invest in a pair of breeches. Based on your discipline, you can wear knee-patch breeches for jumping or full seat breeches for dressage. For eventing, you can wear almost anything you feel comfortable in, such as riding tights.

No. You might accidentally hurt the horse or yourself. If the horse rears/bolts/bucks you may get stuck in the stirrups and be dragged or trampled. Your boot heels should be chunky and 1-1.5 inches high.

No. Wear jeans if it is a western lesson or breeches if it is an english lesson. Wear proper footwear - shoes with a heel - and you should be fine. Even as a competitor, when I practice, I wear practice breeches, my boots and a t-shirt.

A polo shirt is a shirt that is made of Jersey fabric and has a button-up collar. Yes, there are companies that make clothes for children, such as Kerrits.

Yes, but only if you are riding Western. If you are riding English, you'll need to start off with paddock boots. Once you gain more experience, you may be able to purchase tall boots of some sort. Tall boots are made for English riding only. If you ride Western, stick to cowboy boots, but get actual western riding boots.