Several questions about horse back riding...?

Question

I have a couple of questions since I just started horse riding. I want to clear them up before my next lesson.

1. Are chaps neccesary or optional to wear?

2. Are jeans ok to wear when you ride? Especially bell bottom sort ones and ones that are long. would they get caught in the stirrups?

3. How do you know what size helmet to wear. Obviously some people would say 'try it on' but I bought this helmet yesterday and it fits ok but it looks huge on my head. Is that ok or not? And how tight does the helmet have to be?

That's about it. Thanks alot on advance.

Answer 1

Ok, chaps are optional, all though you do get scored higher in a western show if you have them on. And for the jeans, i where them all the time, so don't worry about that.. i mean when i am riding English i do tend to where breaches b/c its uncomfortable to where jeans when in an English saddle..

And the helmet, i where a size medium, i don't know what your size is but if you have a normal size head your size is likely to be medium as well.....

  Good Luck

Answer 2

Chaps are not necessary unless you're riding at a really fancy barn.

Jeans are ok.  I wear leans that are wide at the bottom, but they've never been a problem for me.

Helmets usually do look wide on your head... they add about an inch and a half all the way around your head.  It's safer that way!  If it fits ok, then it's fine.  Just make sure it's not too loose and sliding around your head or too tight and squishing your head!

Good luck with the riding!!

Answer 3

Dude,

Chaps are necesarry if you're wearing  boots, otherwise it dosn't really matter wether you're wearing it or not.

It's better to tuck you jeans, or any type of pants you're wearing, into your boots since many a time jeans DOES get stuck up in the stirrings

Look, if the helmet fits, it's fine, helmets usually do make your head look big because of the material they put inside, besides the basic is to have fun while horse riding not to obsess wether your head looks big or not!!!!

Have fun and PLEASE don't obssess over your head size.

HAVE FUN!!!!

Answer 4

Chaps are not essential, but can help to keep you warm in the cold weather or to protect your legs from branches, etc.

I was always taught - and I told all my pupils - never to wear jeans when riding.  The seam on the inside of your leg will rub against the saddle and cause you to be uncomfortable.  Jeans are only acceptable if you wear full chaps with them.  Jodhpurs and breeches are designed specifically for riding in so are the most comfortable and practical option.

As for hats, yes you do have to try them on to see if they fit.  You will know if it fits correctly if it does not move around on your head, and you should always wear the chin strap as tight as possible - obviously you need to be able to talk and breath!  Your best option is to go top a saddlery shop and ask them to help you find the right size.

An ill-fitting hat will not offer you as much protection as one that fits correctly.

Some designs do look huge, but there are other hats out there that look much better.

Answer 5

1.) No there not

2.)Jeans are great to ride in just make sure that the flair isn't to big

3.)Put it on your head and get someone to hit the fount of it, if it moves alot its to big.

Answer 6

1) chaps are renecessary if you are wearing short boots or trainers that only go till your knee.

2) Some special horse riding jeans exist if you really wanna wear jeans. but a normal kind is fine too for once or twice. If you are looking in getting seriously into horse riding be sure to get real horse riding clothes. if you wear normal jeans be sure to wear chaps

3) The helmet must be tight enough not to fall of your head in any out of the ordinary movement.

Everybody falls from a horse and a lot. So make sure its good.

some helmets are more design and will fit you better but of course they will be the most expensive..

Have fun