What To Wear To Ride A Horse: Everything You Need To Know

You need to put serious thought into your attire, whether you’re a beginner wondering what to wear to your horse riding lessons or an equestrian hobbyist looking to take your skills to the next level.

The clothes and equipment you use for horseback riding will affect your safety and performance. 

Equestrian fashion doesn’t just offer characteristic elegance, but it also features unique pieces to maximize security and functionality.

Our guide walks you through outfit must-have articles and optional add-ons to help you figure out exactly what to wear to ride a horse. 

We’re also sharing insider tips to boost your get-up depending on the season and avoid common mistakes.

Amateur and experienced riders will have the following items as staple components in their horse-riding attires:

Wearing a riding helmet is necessary if you’re into recreational horse riding or thinking about competing down the line.

A riding helmet is the main contributor to your safety in the saddle. It's the defense line against head injuries (which can be life-threatening) should you fall off your horse while practicing or performing.

When choosing a riding helmet, you should consider its type and fit, not just how it looks. 

Yes, aesthetics are important, and yes, you may appear more stylish with a helmet, but safety and functionality should always come first.

That said, you'll be pleased to know that most horseback riding helmets nowadays accommodate protection and aesthetics.

You need to make sure that your riding helmet or hat offers a reliable level of protection. The easiest way to do so is by checking its certification.

Horse riding headgear should be compliant with ASTM/SEI manufacturing standards.

Your style options are generally either jockey skull caps or peaked helmets. The main difference is the presence of a solid peak. Both categories of headwear are made using durable materials that support shock absorption and comfort. The shell is typically made from ABS while the internal padding uses heavy-duty polystyrene foam.

Riding helmets and hats are also available in a variety of colors and finishes so you're guaranteed to find something that suits your fashion taste.

A riding helmet is most effective when it properly fits your head. 

If it's too loose, the helmet won't be able to sufficiently buffer the impact in case of a hit. If it's too tight, the helmet may end up causing additional bruising and damage.

The right size and fit means that the helmet rests comfortably between your eyebrows and ears. There should be no excessive pressure or pinching, nor should the helmet sit lower or higher on your head.

To that end, you can choose either a single size or an adjustable riding helmet/hat.

A single-size helmet is custom-made to fit the rider based on the specific contours of their head and neck. 

An adjustable helmet features straps with dials or sliders to allow each rider to tweak the fit depending on their current needs.

Additionally, the helmet should remain in place when you move your head. A strap at the back of the neck and one at the chin are key to a motionless fit.

Riding Boots

Next up on your equestrian essentials list is footwear. Your goal is to find a trusty pair of boots for horseback riding. You can opt for tall boots that reach your knees or stick to short boots that end and your ankle.

Tall riding boots minimize friction on the calves but they may hinder some movement for beginner riders. Options include cowboy boots if you’re after western boots and dress boots or field boots if you’re interested in English riding boots.

Angle-length riding boots offer better flexibility but leave the inner legs vulnerable to rubbing. Paddock boots and jodhpur boots are common options in this category.

Whatever you choose, your boots need to provide enough grip so your feet won't slip through the stirrup but not too much that you can't move as necessary.

Although there are no specific standards for riding boots, a heel that's no less than 1 inch is the golden standard to get the job done.

Horse riding pants should be comfortable pants that let you move your legs freely without getting in the way. Pants with stretchy fabric and a snug fit effectively meet these conditions. They conform to the curves of your thighs and legs. They also don’t get caught on straps or gear since there’s no excess fabric.

Common styles of horse riding bottoms include riding tights, jodhpurs, and breeches.

Riding tights are a slightly thicker version of sports leggings. Jodhpurs and breeches are even thicker, making them more suitable for regular use.

The main difference between them is the way they’re designed at the ankles. 

Jodhpurs are meant for pairing with short boots because they reach the ankles and feature a stirrup to prevent the pants from riding up your legs. 

On the other hand, breeches typically stop below the knees. They’re meant to be worn with tall boots since they won’t cause bulkiness on the lower leg.

Some riding bottoms are reinforced at the knees for extra protection and textured at the inner legs/thighs for added grip while you're on the move.

If you're riding western, you can opt for a pair of jeans as long as they aren't too baggy or too tight. Jeggings or slim-fit jeans are good options.

Once you pick your preferred style, be sure to take measurements to ensure a proper fit. Your inside leg, hip (widest point), and waist (narrowest point) are all important to finding snug riding pants that you don’t struggle to wear.

You have much more freedom with riding tops compared to bottoms. 

As an amateur rider or an experienced one during practice, you can pretty much wear whatever you're comfortable in. Just make sure that:

• It's stretchy and breathable to support non-restrictive movement of the arms.

• It's not too loose that it tangles with the tack.

• It's light or heavy enough depending on the weather.

You can go for a long-sleeve shirt, a short-sleeve shirt, a polo shirt, or a button-up. You can pair a base layer with a vest or jacket as long as you can move freely enough in it.

Vests leave your arms completely unrestricted while jackets are available in short and long designs that allow a level of "give" at the shoulders. You'll commonly see reflective patches on riding vests, coats, and jackets for low-light riding.

The last item on your equestrian sports essentials list is gloves. 

While they're not as important as the rest of the articles above, we highly recommend a reliable pair to protect your hands especially if you ride regularly.

Riders grab onto the reins and tuck them between their ring and little fingers. Gloves can keep the hands from developing blisters and calluses so they stay soft and healthy.

Leather or fleece gloves are great for staying warm in cold weather. Choose gloves made from thin, breathable fabric when the weather is hot.

Both options are usually reinforced at pain points while featuring textured and stretchy materials to strengthen your grip.

Besides the clothing articles we talked about in the section above, you can improve your horseback riding performance and experience by adding the following items and accessories to your ensemble:

Wearing body protectors is common among amateur riders to provide an extra layer of security against blows resulting from a fall or a kick. Experienced riders may also wear one during competitions.

Add a body protector to your outfit to feel more confident, but make sure it complies with BETA standards. Also, you’ll need to get a customized fit from a specialist to ensure proper protection.

You probably know that you can wear a scarf to keep warm when riding in low temperatures, but have you heard about absorbent neck wraps?

These are made out of moisture-retaining fabric, so when you soak them in water, they stay damp.

As such, when you wear one while riding in the summer, you stay cool and fresh throughout long riding sessions.

Instead of regular socks, consider putting on a pair of boot socks. 

These are long socks that reach beyond mid-calf. They won't slip and bunch in your boots, keeping you comfortable while riding.

Boot socks are available in different materials to accommodate warm and cold weather.

Half Chaps

You'll only consider wearing half chaps if you choose to ride in ankle-length boots.

Half chaps are leg sleeves (typically made from leather) that go over the top of your boots and reach just below the knee. You can opt for ones with a zipper closure or laces for better adjustability.

A belt is completely optional, but many riders like the extra help in holding down their britches. Belts are often easy to fit and many brands offer interchangeable buckles to match your style preferences.

Now that you have a good understanding of what to wear to ride a horse, here are a few tips to help you make the most out of your time in the saddle:

True comfort while riding a horse starts from what you're wearing beneath your ensemble. The wrong cut, fit, or fabric can easily ruin your experience with chafing and pinching.

Your best bet when it comes to undergarments is those designed for movement. These are usually seamless, breathable, and made from moisture-wicking materials.

If you want to ride comfortably year-round, you need to be prepared to handle any sort of weather while riding.

For winter horseback riding, consider wearing a head warmer under your helmet. Insulated boots and heated shoe insoles can also keep your feet warm.

For summertime riding, breathable fabric is your best friend whether we're talking tops, bottoms, helmets, or gloves. Don't forget your cooling neck wrap as well.

Although you may be tempted by the stylish look of a cowboy hat, we urge you not to compromise on safety. An accident-free ride is never a guarantee, so having protection at all times is a must to prevent injury.

Here are a few common mishaps that you should avoid in your horse riding wardrobe:

• Don't wear a tank top; exposed arms are vulnerable to bruises and cuts in case of falls.

• Stay away from flat footwear such as flip-flops, tennis shoes, and ballet flats. These will fail to secure your feet in the stirrups, causing you to slip and fall off.

• Don't ride in high-heeled boots. These can get caught in the stirrup and cause you to lose balance.

• Keep shorts off the saddle, unless you want your legs and thighs to chafe.

• Accessories other than belts, helmet covers, and neck wraps/scarves have no place in your horse riding outfit. Jewelry is a big no-no as it may distract you and jeopardize your safety.

Here are a few pointers to boost your equestrian attire:

• Buy helmet covers to change the look of your helmet.

• Invest in denim breeches that you can wear both casually and on the field.

• Heated gloves and vests can be a lifesaver for winter riding.

When in doubt about what to wear to ride a horse, this guide offers everything you need to know.

The fundamental components of equestrian attire are riding helmets, boots, pants, tops, and gloves. They come in a variety of materials and designs to keep you safe and efficient on the field while looking the part!