Equestrian Clothing

Equestrian clothing is designed to offer safety, practicality and comfort to the horse rider. However, it is not necessary to buy a full set of riding wear before starting horse riding as riding schools have riding hats of varying sizes available for beginners to hire for a lesson and this is the single most important item of equestrian clothing.
Once riding regularly though it is wise to invest in proper equestrian clothing to ensure maximum safety and comfort whilst riding the most important piece of equestrian clothing is a riding hat. Riding hats consist of a hard shell lined with shock absorbing material and provide vital protection for the rider's head should they fall from a horse or be kicked by a horse. As well as wearing a riding hat at all times when riding, it is also wise to wear a riding hat whilst lunging, or handling any horse from the ground.

Equestrian clothing | Horse Riding Hats

Riding hats should always be replaced immediately if they suffer a severe impact as a result from a call from a horse, being dropped onto a hard surface or kicked by a horse as although no visible damage may be seen, any severe impact to the riding hat can result in diminished protection. In addition the protection offered by any riding hat diminishes over time as the padding inside becomes compressed and so any riding hat should routinely be replaced every 3-4 years even if there are no visible signs of damage, wear and tear etc.

When buying a riding hat it is always best to buy a new one and second hand riding hats should be avoided as there is no way to be certain that any second hand riding hat, even if it looks in tact, has not received a severe impact in the past that could result in diminished protection.

There are three basic types of horse riding hats as follows:

• Classic Riding Hat
  this is a traditional velvet riding hat with a hard peak usually available in black, brown and navy.
• Skull Cap or Jockey Cap
  this is a riding hat with no peak traditionally worn by jockeys but now a popular riding hat amongst leisure riders and competitors in other equestrian sports also. Peaked covers, known as silks can be placed over the top of the skull cap and these covers are available in velvet to give the appearance of a classic riding hat, brightly coloured material giving the appearance of a jockey's cap and there are also novelty silks with eyes, ears, etc sewn on that are popular with young children.
• Endurance Skull Protector
  this is a riding hat which looks similar to a cycle helmet and is extremely lightweight and ventilated for comfort in warm weather.

Any riding hat should have a chin strap which should be adjusted correctly and fastened whenever the riding hat is worn. The riding hat should also conform to the current riding hat safety standards make sure your Equestrian clothing is right for you and safe.
When trying on any riding hat, it is important that the riding hat fits both comfortably and securely. Without the chin strap fastened the riding hat should fit securely enough that the rider should be able to nod and shake their head briskly without the hat moving.

The circumference of the head just above the ears, measured in centimetres, is used to size riding hats and skull caps. Riding hats and skull caps are sized differently and the table below shows the range of head measurements with the corresponding riding hat and skull cap sizes.

 

Equestrian clothing | Riding jackets

Riding jackets are generally worn during formal equestrian events such as at horse shows or when hunting rather than for everyday riding. Any equestrian clothing riding jacket should fit properly and not restrict horse riders movement. Horse riding jackets have a vent at the back which allows the jacket to lie smoothly over the back of the saddle.
Hacking Jacket
A hacking jacket is a tweed style horse riding jacket.
Show Jacket
A show jacket is a single coloured horse riding jacket, most often black or navy blue.
Hunting Jacket, Hunt Coat
A hunting jacket or hunt coat is a tweed style jacket, although red jackets are also available for hunt masters.

Equestrian clothing | Body or Back Protectors

Body or Back Protectors are foam filled vest type equestrian clothing garments which are worn over the top of clothes and either over or under a jacket designed to give protection to the back and chest area of the horse rider should the rider fall or be kicked.
Injuries cannot be entirely prevented by wearing a body protector but a body protector can reduce the severity of any prospective injury to the equestrian rider.
Body protectors consist of a separate front and back panel fastened with Velcro fittings over the shoulders and on each side to ensure a tight fit. Any equestrian clothing body protector must be adjusted to fit securely and reasonably tightly around the body with no red Velcro exposed on the fastenings and should not move whilst riding. Although the body protector may seem stiff and uncomfortable at first the foam moulds itself to the rider's body shape over time to become more comfortable.
Second hand body protectors should be avoided as if these have been subject to a fall or kick the protection they offer can be diminished even if they look in tact. Any Body Protector that is dented after a fall, should be replaced immediately as the impact absorption properties are likely to be diminished in this equestrian clothing.
Any body protector should be fastened tightly and correctly and should conform to the current safety standard which is BETA 2000.
There are 3 different categories of Body Protector indicated by the colour of the label, offering differing levels of protection:

• Level 1: Black label
  Offers the lowest level of protection and only considered appropriate for licensed jockeys.
• Level 2: Brown label
  Offers medium protection and is suitable for most low risk general riding (ie excluding riding on roads or other hard surfaces, over jumps, riding young or excitable horses, etc).
• Level 3: Purple label
  Offers the most protection and is appropriate for normal horse riding, competitive horse riding and working with horses.

Body protectors should be replaced at least every 3-4 years as the foam padding may start to degrade.
Some body protectors include protective shoulder pads, or they may be available as an optional extra, offering protection to the rider's shoulder.
Many manufacturers will supply custom fitted body protectors, and some women may find that a larger front panel to back panel is needed to give a more comfortable fit in the equestrian clothing.

Equestrian clothing | Jodhpurs and breeches

Jodhpurs and breeches are riding trousers that are close fitting around the lower leg with reinforced areas around the inside knee. Jodhpurs end at the ankles and are suitable to be worn with Jodhpur boots or long riding boots, whereas breeches end half way down the calf and are suitable to be worn with long riding boots only.
Jodhpurs are named after the ancient city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan in North India where they originated and where polo was a popular royal pastime. The riding trousers used became popular with the British and became known as Jodhpurs.
Jodhpurs and breeches are available in a variety of colours and fabrics ranging from the classic cream jodhpurs and breeches to coloured cord or denim jodhpurs and breeches. Jodhpurs and breeches should be tight fitting but comfortable allowing the horse rider to bend the knee without them cutting into the back of the leg. Comfort is a must when it comes to equestrian clothing.

Equestrian clothing | Chaps and Gaiters

There are two basic types of chaps - full or half length.

Full length chaps originate from the USA where they were worn by cowboys to protect the complete leg while working. They consist of two independent leg coverings attached at the waist by a belt and are worn over jodhpurs. Full length chaps are available in a variety of materials including leather, suede and waxed waterproof versions. Full chaps help to keep the legs warm and dry whilst riding which can be particularly useful during the winter.
Half chaps are worn with Jodhpur boots and cover the leg from the below the knee to the ankle with a strap that goes under the boot. They are available in a variety of colours and fabrics including suede and leather. As well as offering some protection to the lower leg they also prevent jodhpurs from riding up the lower leg whilst riding.
Gaiters are closely fitting half chaps cut in the traditional riding boot style, most often made of leather.
Many equestrian sporting organisations now allow the wearing of black leather gaiters worn with black Jodhpur boots as an acceptable alternative to wearing full length black riding boots during competitive events.

Equestrian clothing | Riding Boots

There are two basic types of riding boot - the full length riding boot and ankle boots known as Jodhpur boots.
Long riding boots offer protection to the rider's leg and ankles but can be restricting and uncomfortable to wear in hot weather. There are a great variety of long riding boots available in both rubber and leather. Long leather riding boots are expensive and so long rubber riding boots are the most popular choice for most riders.
Jodhpur boots are generally more comfortable to wear than long riding boots but offer no protection to the rider's leg and so they are most often worn with half chaps or gaiters that cover the lower leg.