I am starting horse riding lessons next week but I do not know what to wear on my legs.?

Question

I am considering wearing shorts because its the summer but I do not know if it will hurt if I wear shorts. I was told to wear jeans but the only type of jeans I have are Levis 501's and I wear my jeans kinda tight plus the denim on them are now quite soft because they are well worn. Should I go with shorts or Levis or just wear trackie bottoms?

Answer 1

Wear track pants for now, until you know you are serious about horse riding and can invest in some johdpurs. Shorts are a no no!!!! Wear jeans if they are soft and will not chafe your legs.

Answer 2

Def track bottoms. Jeans are too restricting and shorts are down right dangerous, they will offer no protection from the pinching of the stirrup leathers or brambles if you are going to be riding down country lanes.
Good luck, have fun. Just get some jods when you are sure you want to continue riding. Give it at least a month before you splash out on any proper riding gear, but, of course you should buy the best helmet you can afford right from the start. Don't be tempted to borrow one from the school. Get your own and then you know it has been fitted correctly and has had no knocks or bumps.
A helmet may look in good condition but if it has had a knock or even if it has been dropped on the floor a couple of times the inner shell can be pushed up against the outer casing leaving it with no "buffer" zone if you came off and hit your head.

Answer 3

If your jeans are very tight and non stretchy, go with the trackie bottoms you will need to have something on your legs as the leather can pinch the skin and cause not only soreness but bruising too, if you intend to take riding up as a hobby you may be best to invest in a pair of Jodphur and a pair of chaps, both can be brought quite inexpensively from your local tack shop, or even off eBay if you know your correct size, always buy yourself a new ridding hat as this is your head protection, and may one day save your life.But never attempt to ride in short as they offer you no protection at all for your legs.

Answer 4

Your attire should depend on if you're taking English or Western Lessons.

English lessons usually require Jophurs or Riding britches. But since you're just starting, investing in those can be quite costly. You can go to Walmart/Target, etc, and buy a pair of leggings for less than $10- even a pair of snug excersise pants will be fine.
The point is tha tyou want somethign tight fitting that won't get caught on stirup leathers and will let you keep a tight 'feel' of the horse's movements beneath you.

Western lessons require jeans- and if yours aren't up to par, then investing in a new pair of jeans may not be a bad idea. (you'll need them eventually, right?)

I would avoid track pants. When I hear "track pants" I think of the 'nylon' ones that "Whoosh" when you walk. If this is what you're talking about, the fabric will make you VERY slick in the saddle and hard to stay balanced.

Invest in the $10 leggings- you might need them again. And if its Western, you'll need new jeans eventually anyway- buy them a bit bigger than normal so they will shrink down.

Answer 5

Dont wear shorts! Your poor legs will be rubbed raw! Go with trackie bottoms and look at what everyone else wears. Some people do wear jeans but I've always found the inner leg seam uncomfortable. If you really get into horse-riding consider jodpurs, but wait until you're sure you want to continue. Good luck and enjoy!

Answer 6

Do not wear shorts, your legs will be red raw, same with jeans. If you can't get any jodphurs then wear tracksuit bottoms, the only problem is that they will ride up your legs so tuck them into your socks. Also, for footwear, you must wear small sturdy with a small solid heel and light ankle support, not trainers or wellies. And make sure you have your own hat for reasons stated in previous answers. Have a look on ebay for cheap riding gear (except hats!), but, to be honest, the riding school should have told you all this when you booked your lessons!

Answer 7

Do not wear shorts whatever you do. Your legs will get caught between the saddle and the stirrup leathers and you will end up black and blue.

I would say go with the jeans. Ideally you want to ride in jod's which are thick, tight fitting and pretty flexible but if your jeans are like this they would be fine

Answer 8

ACTUALLY I think Trackies are just as bad!! They move around too much and are thin so the stirrup leathers (the leather strap that holds the metal bit you put your foot in) will pinch and nip and bruise your leg.

STRETCHY JEANS :) Tight but stretchy jeans will protect your legs, not move about and keep you good but definately get jodbhurs if you are carrying on riding, they are tight thick leggings with extra padding where the stirrup leather rubs. :)

Answer 9

Don't wear shorts!!!!!!The stirrup leathers will pinch tour thighs, believe me it really hurts!!!Jeans are'nt much better either cos the seam can dig in to your leg. Your better off wearing joggy bottoms, and if you like riding and decide to take it up, you should buy a pair of jodphurs, these are made for riding, and if you really get into horse riding, buy some long boots, or jodphur boots and chaps these will protect your legs.

Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Don't wear shorts! Your legs will rub on the leather and burn (like rug burn). Jeans create the best friction and help to keep you stuck in the saddle (for lask of a better term.) Just wear your jeans, or purchase a cheap pair that you will use for riding lessons to come, as you need to be flexible in the saddle. Good luck, hope this helps. =)

Answer 11

I would go with the jeans as you don't want to ride with bare legs and a leather saddle. OUCH!! You will want a tighter fit of jeans because looser material will chafe your legs more. It doesn't matter what brand of jeans you wear. A lot of riders wear Wranglers or Cruel, but the horse doesn't care what kind of brand they are. Just make sure you wear something that fits you well and that you are comfortable in.