5 essential pieces of kit for horse riding
Your equestrian wear should feel comfortable, be practical and, ideally, look good too. But where do you start with building your setup? Here are the five essential items you will need to get started in the world of horse riding.
Riding jacket
You could be forgiven for assuming that your trusty outdoor jacket would be perfect for riding – after all, it keeps you warm and dry on all your other adventures. But the length of normal jackets means that they tend to get caught on the backs of saddles, making it hard for the rider to stay in place and dismount, and generally feeling uncomfortable.
Riding jackets are usually cut with split seams so that they sit comfortably either side of your saddle. At Mucky Unicorn, we’ve taken it to the next level: our riding outerwear features side zips, allowing comfort and ease when riding with the zips undone, then ultimate versatility and cosy warmth when you dismount and zip up!
It’s also a good idea to invest in an equestrian rain jacket to keep you dry and comfortable in wet weather.
Stretchy trousers
When you first start riding, you may be surprised to find that the horse doesn’t do all the work! You will move around a lot in the saddle to keep yourself stable and comfortable, especially as a beginner. For this reason, comfortable and stretchy trousers are an absolute must. We don’t recommend jeans as they tend to cause discomfort and rub against your legs, and often fashion or sports leggings can be too slippery. A cosy pair of sweatpants will do the job perfectly. Alternatively, you could look for specially-designed equestrian tights or horseback riding leggings.
When you know you will want to head out riding regularly, you may want to invest in a pair of jodhpurs or breeches. These are comfortable trousers designed specifically for riding, usually made from thick cotton and reinforced with padding to prevent discomfort around the knees and lower legs.
Riding hat
A riding hat is an essential piece of kit for keeping you safe while horse riding. The good news is that riding schools will have hats you can borrow, so you don’t have to splash out as a beginner. But it’s a good idea to invest in your own hat if you will be riding often, as you can choose one that fits you perfectly and that won’t have been damaged by previous knocks.
Riding boots
Riding boots are slim-fit and sleek, so they fit easily through your stirrups — which wellies might be too chunky to do. They also feature a small heel, so your foot doesn’t slip. Riding boots can be long or short. Beginner riders tend to prefer short boots so they can feel what they’re doing with their lower legs, but whether you choose long or short riding boots is simply about what you find comfortable.
High-visibility clothing
Wearing bright clothing is non-negotiable when you graduate from riding school to the roads. It helps you be seen from a safe distance by other road users, especially when using busy roads to get to bridleways, and if the worst happens and you come off your horse, wearing bright clothing will help you to be found and recognised. It’s even known that some equine insurance companies won’t pay out if the rider wasn’t wearing hi-vis.
When most people hear “hi-vis” they tend to think of highlighter-yellow tabards – but we’re here to change that! Browse our range of hi vis clothing for options that keep you safe and look great, too.
Equestrian clothing for women from Mucky Unicorn
Whether you’re discovering riding for the first time or want to upgrade your kit, our women’s equestrian clothing is stylish, technical and comfortable. Browse our full collection to discover practical and cute riding outfits.
