Your only problem is that you don’t own any of the equipment and you don’t really know what you need. You want to look the part without spending too much money at the beginning. So, what should you buy?

Don’t worry, this blog post is just for you!

1. Helmets

It probably goes without saying that you’ll need to buy a helmet. Horseback riding is a dangerous sport and it’s best to protect your head. Also, most riding facilities won’t allow you to ride without a helmet on.

It can be a little intimidating when choosing your first helmet. With so many styles and price ranges, you want to make sure that you’re selecting a good quality helmet without it being too expensive. Especially since you're just starting out and you're not sure if you’ll get hooked on the sport. Or even if you’re a younger rider that will probably grow out of a particular size pretty quickly.

There are three helmets that I would personally choose between if I was looking for a helmet as a new rider. The Charles Owen JR8, the IRH XLT and the Tipperary Royal helmets. As someone who cares about design as well as function, I’m not a fan of helmets that look like bicycle helmets. I gravitate towards more classic equestrian designs. I feel like these three styles help you look the part without spending over $700 on a helmet.

2. Boots

Riding boots are another bigger purchase that you’ll need before you start riding. The biggest thing I would recommend for any beginner rider is to spend the extra money and buy leather boots. Don’t buy those rubber equestrian boots. Trust me, your feet will thank you!

Now, choosing between tall boots and paddock boots comes down to personal preference. Either one is perfectly fine. Paddock boots are a little less restrictive and allow you the flexibility to ride in jeans (at least more comfortably). While tall boots give you a look that is more "put together". If you’re hoping to compete further down the road, then getting used to the fit of a tall boot is a good idea.

For versatility and variety, I would suggest that you buy a black pair of boots. Other colours are fun and different, but they only really make sense if you’re planning on owning multiple pairs of boots. Price-wise, paddock boots and half chaps can work out to be a little less expensive than tall boots. When it comes to choosing a particular brand, I think most people will gravitate towards the tried and true Ariat. If you want to be a little bit different, then Tredstep’s boots are also a good option.

3. Breeches

Though you could ride in jeans or leggings, there’s just something about riding in breeches. They give you the stretch and the grip that you need to ride. Because they were designed for equestrians. But breeches are one of those items that can get really expensive, really fast.

If you live in Canada, then the Elation breeches that are available at Greenhawk are a great option for your first pair. For those who live in other countries, Kerrits and Horze breeches are also great options. If you’re comfortable ordering online, then Aztec Diamond Equestrian breeches are still one of my favourite brands.

But don’t ignore the sales racks! Sometimes you can find some higher quality breeches in the same price range just because they were last year’s model. And frankly, as long as they’re a neutral colour (like beige, grey or black) they’ll never go out of style.

4. Gloves

I personally can’t ride without gloves. I like the security of knowing that I’ll always have a good grip on the reins. Regardless of how sweaty I get or how hard the horse pulls me. Yes, that does mean that I get a glove tan line in the summer, but that doesn’t bother me.

When it comes to finding the right gloves, it comes down to personal preference. I much rather a more leather type of glove over a fabric pair. For summertime, I like to wear a glove that has a mesh panel for more breathability. In the wintertime, I wear a more insulated glove.

I think that Roeckl gloves are what most riders choose to buy. Primarily due to the fact that most tack shops will carry this brand and that they are decent value for the price tag. But SSG also makes some great options too.

5. Grooming Kits

Grooming your horse is something you’ll have to do before and after your lesson. Most riding schools will have brushes available to you, but they might not be exactly what you’re looking for. That or another rider is using your favourite brush! I personally enjoy bringing my own grooming kit with me to the barn. That way, I know what tools I have and they never go missing.

Instead of buying each brush and comb individually, you can buy pre-made grooming kits. This is a great way to kick start your grooming brush collection. Especially if you’re not sure what types of brushes you prefer at first. These three grooming kits from Matchy Horsey are a great place to start. All three of these kits come in a fabric carrying case. Making them less bulky for when you’re carrying everything into the barn and back out to your car afterwards. They are all pretty complete kits too. So any of these three kits will get you started on the right foot.

6. Treats

After your lesson, it’s nice to give a little treat to your horse as a thank you. I always bring something with me to give to my horse when I put him back into his stall. And it doesn’t have to be anything fancy either! Horses are perfectly happy eating apples or carrots. You don’t need to buy any of those store-bought horse treats if you don’t want to. They even enjoy those mints that you can find at the dollar store. Of course, you can also search for recipes online and make your own if you like baking.

The most important thing to remember is to ask if it’s okay to give a horse a treat before you do. Some horses are on strict diets or are sensitive to certain foods. Kindly ask your trainer what your lesson horse is allowed to eat and then buy your treats accordingly. This rule also goes for feeding other horses at the barn. If you want to give some treats to the other horses, make sure that you ask their owners or someone that is responsible for them first. People will greatly appreciate your consideration.

7. Luggage

There’s nothing worse than spending your hard-earned money on expensive riding gear just to have it scratched or dirty because you have nowhere to put it but on the dirty barn floor. Having protective cases for your boots and helmet help protect them when you’re not using them. It’s also helpful to have a bag to put all of your riding essentials (helmet, gloves, treats and grooming supplies) into so that you can have everything neat and organized.

I personally carry one canvas shopping bag into the barn with everything I need in it. Within this bag, I have separate bags to keep everything organized. I keep my grooming supplies in one bag. I have my gloves, spurs, hairnets and camera gear in a separate bag. My horse treats are kept in its packaging (often a resealable bag). And My helmet is in its protective bag.

Keeping my things organized this way allows me to have my hands free and prevents me from losing anything I own. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen other riders lose a glove or their spurs. I’ve never had that problem because they go straight into their specific places the minute I take them off.

8. Saddle Soap

Along buying luggage to protect your gear, you should also buy some saddle soap and conditioner. That way, you can keep your boots clean and extend the life of them.

You can’t go wrong with a glycerin soap like the one from Stubben. The Passier leather soap is pretty good too. As for conditioner, I’ve been using Belvoir’s leather balsam on my riding boots and I don’t have any complaints so far.

It’s a good idea to get into the habit of cleaning your boots after every ride. You don’t necessarily have to condition them every time, but try to keep them clean. A lot of riding schools will ask you to clean your horse’s bridle and saddle after your ride. So take advantage of that time and clean your boots too!

9. Socks

I remember the first time I ever saw an equestrian wearing those colourful knee-high socks. I was at a horse show. The girl was leaning against the fence watching her friend that was in the ring. She had the sleeves of her competition shirt rolled up and she had sneakers on her feet. Her tie-dye socks were on full display. I just thought that they looked so cool and that they enhanced the equestrian competition look.

The socks aren’t just for aesthetics though. They help keep your breeches in place and help protect them from your boots’ zipper. If your boots are going to catch on anything, it’s better for them to catch on your socks instead of your expensive breeches!

These boot socks come in various colours, materials and prints. So you can go as wild or as sophisticated as you’d like. There are some companies that make compression socks too. The options are virtually endless!

10. Hats

Helmet hair. It’s a fact of life for us equestrians. Some people just embrace it. But for those of you who want to cover it up, I’ve included some options here for you.

Baseball caps are most people’s go-to hat at the barn. And most equestrian brands will carry a hat or two. You just might have to do a bit of searching. I decided to include two in this blog post for you. I personally like hats that have subtle logos. So these options from Ariat and Allessandro Albanese are right up my alley.

In the winter, you might want to bring a beanie with you to the barn. I am such a fan of this one from Mochara. The pompoms are interchangeable so you can create so many different looks with one hat if you wanted to.

Until next time, happy riding!

Disclaimer: A portion of this blog post was in collaboration with Matchy Horsey. I was asked to feature their grooming kits within a future blog post. As I aim to be a transparent blogger, I decided that I wanted to let my readers know about this conversation. I also want to make it clear that I did not receive any compensation for writing this post and none of the links are affiliated. All of the opinions are, as always, my own.