Dover Saddlery catalog 2007 -2008 for first tme horseback riding?

Question

Okay, I really need some help here. I want to start taking horseback riding lessons at an equestrian club that I just found, it would be the first time that I ever take classes and I would like to be as prepared as possible in advance. Right now I am concerned about equestrian equipment...so I ordered the Dover Saddlery catalog, now I was wondering if I could get some input from people.

First thing is that I need a helmet. I want the very best helmet possible, one that is approved by (what is the associations?) I am wondering if there is one in the catalog that anyone can point me to? I want the safest helmet possible. I do worry about falling and hurting myself. I don't know what kind of riding I will be doing I do know that they offer recreational and pleasure riding. I really want to start with English and eventually go onto jumping (is that hunt seat?)

After the helmet, I was wondering should I get the pants? Jodhpurs or breeches? What's the difference?

Answer 1

dover is really expensive, a would try state line first.

Answer 2

I agree with the opinions offered by the other respondents in this column- and I would hold off on buying anything more than a helmet ( make sure it is ASTM-SEI certified, and I'll explain how to check this out in a minute) and a good pair of paddock boots. Jeans will work great for everyday riding and lessons- I have ridden in them for most of my life, and they are much more comfortable than breeches for lessons. Plus, they are much less expensive to buy, and they are also much easier to clean and keep in good shape than most of the breeches I have seen. Since you are an adult beginner, you won't be wearing jodphurs- jodphurs are for children who ride English or hunt seat and who show- and they must be worn with support straps at the knees to keep them from riding up on the leg. You will need to dress for the weather when you ride, which means layers in colder weather that can be removed as you warm up ( riding is strenuous exercise that can make one very hot very quickly) and short sleeves or a sleevless shirt or blouse in hot weather. Be prepared for rain as well- rain gear is a must if you ride outside, no matter the season or time of year. There are many raincoats on the market right now that are specifically designed for people who ride- and yes, Dover does sell some of these, though they tend to be expensive. On the subject of helmets: be very careful what you buy, as not all helmets are designed for safety- some of the most famous ones are really only items of apparell, and will NOT protect your head in a fall, which is what you need at this stage. All of the helmets which are certified by the ASTM or SEI have a label on the inside which states the year the helmet was tested and approved, the lot number, and usually a phone number that you can call for more information on the helmet's features and protective ability. The helmets that I find to be the most comfortable to wear are either made by Troxel or International Riding Helmets, and they come in a wide variety of styles and colors. Most of these helmets are vented as well, a very important consideration for comfort on hot summer days. Helmets need proper care if they are to do their jobs well- that means keeping them out of direct sunlight, and NOT using harsh cleaners or chemicals on the outside of the helmet. The helmet's chin or neckstrap must be adjusted correctly and must be fastened- otherwise, the helmet will provide absolutely no protection whatever. One other thing to remember about helmets- if you should ever have a fall and hit your head, then you will need to replace the helmet with a new one when you ride again. This is extremely important to remember, because what usually happens to these helmets is that they absorb the force of the impact from a fall by partially self-destructing. Riding in such a helmet again once it has been damaged this way  is extremely dangerous, because the helmet can't do it's job anymore if it is broken on the inside.Enough on that subject. Once you learn to ride well enough to start jumping, then you may want to consider buying and wearing a body protector ( many of the riding organizations, such as the US Eventing Association, require that all competitiors wear one for both cross country riding and also show jumping) that will protect and stabilize your spine in a fall.  These are available from Dover, as well as from Stateline- go online and check out the website for details. There are 3 kinds of English sports that involve jumping: Hunters, Jumpers, and 3-day Eventers.

Hunters are the horses who are judged on their form over fences, their manners and also on the way they move. Jumpers are judged on their abilities to get around a course of fences at a given height within a specified time limit.

Eventers are horses that compete in a 3 phase competition that takes place over 3 days, and was originally designed around the tests that were given to cavalry officers and their mounts. These tests were administered at end of the officers' and horses' training, and they were like a final exam for both horse and rider- and those who couldn't or didn't pass didn't go on to lead combat troops. 3 day Events consist of dressage on the first day, which tests obedience and communication between horse and rider, speed and endurance on the second day ( which is also called cross country because of the type of riding and jumping that is done) and show jumping on the third day, WITHOUT a break between any of the days.

Eventing is a grueling, challenging, high-risk sport- and it is NOT for the faint of heart. You may remember the late actor Christopher Reeve- this is the sport that he got hurt in. He was at a Horse Trial in Virginia when the horse he was riding stopped ( refused violently) at a jump, and he was thrown off over the horse's shoulders. He got his hands tangled in the reins on the way down- and this was why he broke his neck. Having a horse stop on course like that is something that can happen to anyone- even our Olympic team members have had horses that have done that on occasion, but the difference is that they can usually recover without a problem or without endangering themselves. Reeve couldn't- he just didn't have the know-how or experience, and he was in over his head. Gruesome accidents like this are relatively rare, fortunately, but they are a fact of life in the Eventing world. That is a point to remember if you are thinking about taking up this sport. I love the sport- but I am not unaware of its dangers. My advice to you as a beginner is to take your time, relax, and learn all you possibly can about all the different aspects of riding and horse care. No one is ever an expert in this sport- there is always something new to learn. Finally, remember to have FUN !!! This is supposed to be fun- not work, at least not all of the time.  PS: I would recommend Stateline to you as a tack store any day- I buy all of my equipment from them, and they are MUCH cheaper than Dover. I have found that the quality of their products is just as good as Dover's, if not better in some ways.

Answer 3

Aside from the helmet, the most important thing you can get is a good pair of boots..  DO NOT ride in sneakers as you seriously risk getting caught up in a stirrup and that is not good.   You need a good pair of paddock boots with a good heel on them for the best of safety.    Until you know if you like riding, or what style you wish to pursue, hold off on spending a lot on clothing, just get a helmet, gloves and boots.

Answer 4

It seems to me that you aren't really sure that you want the lessons.  Right now, because you've obviously never been on a horse and seem to be terrified, don't worry about concentrating on the clothes.  Horse-back riding isn't about clothes.  You should wear what's comfortable for now and worry about dressing fancy later.  The most important thing right now is learning how to ride.  You should be in good physical shape and, most important, you should NOT be afraid.  If you're going to be taking lessons, don't worry because they're not going to put you on a horse and then be sending you off to the Kentucky Derby.  So relax and enjoy it first, then decide if you want to ride English or Western.

Answer 5

Dover is a great place to buy horse equipment! There is a store near me, so I am always wanting to go there! They have great prices too, and are not a horrible overcomercialized chain like State Line Tack turned into when Petsmart bought them out.

ASTM and SEI are the regulating bodies for riding helmets, like DOT and SNELL are for motorcycle helmets. As you are just starting, I would recommend the Troxel Sport Helmet. Troxel is a leader when it comes to ventalated helmets. It is this one: http://www.doversaddlery.com/troxel-spor... I personally love my Tipperary Sportage Helmet, it is super light and comfortable! http://www.doversaddlery.com/tipperary-s... . I would definately recommend a ventalated helmet over the traditional velveteen show helmets, they are much more comfortable for everyday use! They offer the same protection.

Your best bet is to go to a local tack store, and try on helmets! You need to find the one that best suits your head shape, and you need to find the correct size. Write down the model and size, and then you can order it online.

If you have never rode before, I would hold off on the pants for right now. Wear a comfortable pair of jeans, the ones that have some stretch to them are the best in my opinion. Then you can decide on pants. It seems that breeches are for adult riders, and johdpurs are geared more for children. I don't have a specific recommendation, just find a style and color you like the best at a reasonable price. I would say keep it under $75 for everday lesson pants. You don't need to spend a whole lot on them.  There are also different styles, they have full seat, which have extra grip over your butt and thighs, there are also knee patches, which have extra knee grip. Either is fine for pleasure riding!

As far as boots, if you just plan on casual riding, I would recommend the Ariat Terrain ( http://www.doversaddlery.com/ariat-terra... ) or an equivelent. They are comfortable and more useful than traditional paddock boots as you can wear them whenever. I am considering a pair myself depending if I get a job at a barn or not! Ariat even makes a sneaker-like riding boot, but I don't see them on the site.

Don't worry about falling off! It will happen eventually, no matter how good a rider you are! I have fallen off several times and I have yet to be hurt. You are very smart to want to get a good helmet and the proper attire.

When you first start, I would definately recommend your own helmet (I have a thing about using other people's helmets, especially if they have been used by a lot of people). The boots wouldn't hurt either if you have the money, it is important to have proper boots with a small (about 1" heel) for safety, they keep your feet from sliding through the stirrups if something happens!

Good luck, relax, and have fun! Riding is the best sport out there! Althought it can be dangerous, when you go to a lesson place, they will put you on a horse who is used to beginners and they will help you out.

You may want to get the State Line Tack catalog too, they have some different things which are nice. I just miss when they were a little tack store in Plaistow, NH it was so awesome! (plus half the fun is looking through all the catalogs!)

(and yes, you are correct, it is hunt seat!)

Answer 6

I would hold off buying alot of equipment to start off with.  You may decide that you do not like riding.  If you are going to be taking lessons at a lesson barn then they will have everything you need there.  If you really want to have your own equipment, don't buy from a catalog.  You need to try the helmets and boots on before you buy.  Look  up local Tack store or if there is a petsmart near you that has a stateline tack section.

As for a helmet, I have  always liked the brand Troxel, the plastic ones wear better for everyday use.  

There is no reason to get tall field/dress boots.  A nice pair of paddock boots works great,  You can get a set of half chaps (they are chaps that hook under paddock boots to give the look of tall boots).  I have found that ariat brand is not that great, they are the least comfortable and wear out the quickest.  

If you are going to get a pair of breeches do not get full seat breeches, they are to difficult to learn how to ride in.  And white breeches are for dressage competions only.

Huntseat is one type of jumping, where the judge, judges the horse and not the rider.  It is judged on how pretty the horse looks going over the fences.  Personally I find this boring.

Jumpers is where you have so much time to get over the course of fences, who ever has the fastest time wins.  I find this much more exciting.  But don't expect to jump anytime soon.  You really need to learn the basics on the ground before being comfortable enough to jump.

Good luck, Riding can be a lot of fun.