What stuff my rider needs to ride...

Well, once you get into riding, there is always something else you can buy. ALWAYS😊

For a starting rider, you don't need many items. But a helmet is a must. The helmet cannot be any type other than that specific to horse riding. These helmets have been rated for equestrian falls and impacts. The helmet needs to be certified for that purpose by ASTM for F1163 standard. The helmet needs to be properly fitted to your child's head by a professional to ensure proper protection. It should be snug on their head and not move.

There are many brands of helmets available. The cost for a helmet varies depending on the brand and the intended use -- ranging from $60 to $700. The basic priced helmet will more than meet the needs of a beginning rider. Brand and cost is entirely up to your choice as long as it is certified and is properly fitted to the student. I personally use a less expensive helmet since that it what fit my head. My daughter has a mid-range priced helmet because that is what best fit her head. There are adjustable helmets and fixed ones as well. Helmets must be replaced after a fall.

Another equipment item that is not required but is very helpful to a beginning rider is a pair of heeled boots. You can get a pair of paddock boots. These are short-rise boots with a small heel. These boots will help the stirrups not slide too far back and aid in improving proper technique. There is an accessory you can get for the boots, which is called a half chap. This is a leather wrap that covers the lower leg with loops under the instep of the boot and zips up the back. This will mimic the taller boot feel and affords the rider better grip of the saddle as the chaps add a little bit more stickiness to the leg when squeezing the saddle flaps.

As your rider progresses and improves through more and more lessons, riding breeches would be the next step of equipment that directly supports improved technique and decreases fatigue. Some riding breeches have knee patches with fabric and silicone. There are also full seat riding breeches. Rider preference will determine which type your purchase. Cost starts at $30 and varies depending on the brand and where you buy them. I am have bought inexpensive breeches from Amazon and they work just fine. Low cost can be especially important as kids grow all the time, I didn't spend a lot on my kids' first pairs of breeches. I looked for sales to get better quality ones for cheap.

If you want an additional safety item you can invest in a projective vest. Typically, kids wear the one that is fully padded. They are expensive but provide a level of protection for the core organs, ribs, and spine. My daughter wears one when she is jumping over fences. These vests can cost $150 on up depending on the brand. There are also blow-up vest that automatically inflates when the rider falls from the saddle. There are other types of vests that are hard (think more like bulletproof vest) for cross country or hunt rides. A hard vest is more suited for these courses that have much larger, complex obstacles and are typically run outdoors over grass or woods.

Riding gloves are a good thing to have but not required for lessons. They are required for horse shows. Show rules require black. Any color is appropriate for lessons. The picture below shows the main items to get you started on your riding journey. The taller rider on the left is wearing full seat riding breaches. The shorter rider on the right is wearing knee patch breaches. Both are wearing a riding helmet, protective vest, paddock boots, and half chaps.