Riding Kit for a First Lesson — Buy or Borrow
You need to buy almost nothing for a first lesson. This page says what the club almost certainly lends you, which two things are worth owning early, and the one item you should never buy second-hand.
What the club provides
Saddle, bridle and everything else that goes on the horse belong to the club; a beginner buys none of it. Most clubs also lend a helmet for the first lessons, and a body protector where one is required.
Before buying anything, phone and ask which items they lend and which you are expected to bring. That one question makes most early purchases unnecessary.
- Saddle and girth, bridle and bit — they come with the club's horse and have to fit that horse.
- A helmet for the first lessons, at most clubs.
- A body protector, where the club requires one for children or for jumping.
What is worth buying
Two things are personal and earn their keep quickly: a helmet fitted to your own head, and a boot with a small heel so the foot cannot slide through the stirrup. The rest can wait until you know you are carrying on.
- A riding helmet carrying a recognised standard (EN 1384 or ASTM F1163, for example). A cycling helmet is not a substitute.
- A riding boot or jodhpur boot with a small heel and a smooth sole.
- Breeches, or any stretchy trousers without an inside seam — a jeans seam rubs the knee raw.
- Gloves, once the reins and lead rope start marking your hands.
New or second-hand?
Most riding kit is a good second-hand buy: boots, breeches, grooming kit, even rugs, as long as they are sound and clean. There is one exception and it matters.
- Never buy a second-hand helmet. A helmet is replaced after any impact — including one that left no mark — and you cannot know what the seller's has been through.
- Boots, breeches and grooming kit second-hand are entirely sensible; ask about the size and check the stitching.
- A second-hand saddle only makes sense once you have your own horse, and only fitted to that horse's back.
Marketplace categories
These are the categories on this site's equipment marketplace; each one lists what is currently for sale, with price and condition.
- پد و بانداژ
- تعلیمی
- کله گیر دستجلو
- شلاق سوارکاری
- نیم بوت
- شلوار سوارکاری
- روغن چرم یا زین
- زین
- لوازم تیمار
- جل زمستانه
- مکمل مفاصل
- مهمیز
- بند مهمیز
- شامبون
- پدزیر زین
- کله گیر پاآخور
- بندلنژ
- جلیقه محافظ
- پیراهن
- چکمه
- جل پائیزه
- جعبه تیمار
- مکمل سم
- کت سوارکاری
- بند دست گردون
- گتر
- قشو فلزی
- تاندون بند
- ساک چکمه و لوازم سوارکاری
- سینه بند
- عرق گیر
- مکمل پوست و مو
- تنگ لنژ
- قشو پلاستیکی
- آرام‌بخش
- روسمی
- کلاه سوارکاری
- تپق بند
- دستکش
- رو گوشی
- تنگ پرش
- مکمل گوارش
- شانه
- توری صورت
- جوراب
- برس سخت
- الکترولیت
- تنگ معمولی
- ویتامین و مواد معدنی
- رکاب
- برس نرم
- مکمل تنفسی
- سم پا کن
- بند رکاب
- افزایش وزن
- کفی رکاب یا پد رکاب
- آبگیر
- آبخوری
- عضله و عملکرد
- زین و لوازم زین
- افزودنی خوراک
- افسار و کله‌گیر
- لوازم تعلیم و لانژ
- محافظ و بانداژ
- اکسسوری
- پوشاک سوارکار
- پوتین و چکمه سوارکار
- مهمیز و بند مهمیز
- پوشش و جل اسب
- تیمار و بهداشت اسب
- مراقبت از چرم
- مکمل غذایی و غیره
- لوازم دام‌پزشکی
- کتاب
- لوازم نعل‌بندی
- کتاب آموزشی
- سایر محصولات
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear for a first riding lesson?
Long, stretchy trousers and a shoe with a small heel are enough. Most clubs lend a helmet for the first lessons — ask before you buy one.
Can I buy a second-hand riding helmet?
No. A helmet has to be replaced after any impact, and a used helmet's history cannot be checked. This is the one item to buy new.
Do I need to buy a saddle?
Not unless you own the horse. A saddle has to be fitted to that horse's back, and a badly fitting one injures the horse.