Getting all set to realise a long-held dream: ride a pony? This forthcoming first experience of yours probably has you otherwise twitchy, anticipative, anxious, jubilant. You can get over a large amount of your nerves by simply ensuring you make all of the right preparations.
Begin by guaranteeing you've got the right attire. Your clothes should be chosen solely on consideration of comfort and safety. Leave the bling for later , the more advanced stages in your pony life.
One thing you simply can't do without is a helmet that's properly certificated. Most riding schools do let you use one of their helmets for the opening few learning sessions, in the expectation that once you make up your mind to continue you'll get your own helmet. You must bear in mind that a borrowed helmet will have been utilized by countess other hopeful riders, and even while they are usually disinfected and sprayed in front of you, you'll still wish to go along with your own helmet.
Note that helmets for use with bicycles are inappropriate for horse riding because they're made to different standards of impact measures and safety. The better riding facilities will not permit you to use helmets without ASTM/SEI validation, so be certain not to let some silver tongued tack shop man charm you into getting a barely suitable helmet. Do some homework, learn about the coolest brands, get a helmet with a correct label, your riding school will most likely be doing some inspection of its own on the 1st day you turn up.
Your next acquisition should consist of a pair of boots with square heels and smooth soles. You can think about cowboy or jodhpur boots when you buy them, but don't splash out just yet on real riding boots. Just settle for a quality pair of ankle boots with smooth soles and square heels. Ideally, your boots cover and support the ankles. Sneakers, army boots and dockers are definitely not acceptable. Army boots come with awfully thick treads, and your foot could well get caught in the stirrup if you tumble, with the possibility of bad injury ensuing. By the same token, shoes without square heels let your feet slide right through into the stirrup and again, this could be deadly. Remember: boots without treads, with smooth soles, with square heels.
Your next decision is on acceptable pants for riding. A lot of new riders find this choice a bit of a quandary. Denim pants often fit loosely and have prominent seams, which can badly scrape your inner legs and knees and maybe your calves, too. Jeans also have a tendency to ride up the legs, exposing your calves and allowing them to get chafed by the stirrup leathers. Most leg wear for running is rather slick on the exterior, which can potentially make you slip while you are in your saddle. All of this means you need pants that don't have thick seams, don't rub and do not ride up. You could try jeans with pantyhose beneath, don't giggle, I have known lots of men to utilise this combo , or you can use thick tights. Rather than panty hose, you might use long johns with jeans, but this will be workable only in winter. If you do use long johns, make sure you tuck them into your socks, so they won't ride up. In winter, thick tights customarily work fine with leg warmers, which have recycled into fashion. Ultimately, you need breeches or riding tights. You could also try out jeans especially made for riding, which are made of stretch material and have no inner seams.
You are all set: you've got your certified helmet, correct footwear and approved attire. It is time to get onto that pony and have a great time!
Begin by guaranteeing you've got the right attire. Your clothes should be chosen solely on consideration of comfort and safety. Leave the bling for later , the more advanced stages in your pony life.
One thing you simply can't do without is a helmet that's properly certificated. Most riding schools do let you use one of their helmets for the opening few learning sessions, in the expectation that once you make up your mind to continue you'll get your own helmet. You must bear in mind that a borrowed helmet will have been utilized by countess other hopeful riders, and even while they are usually disinfected and sprayed in front of you, you'll still wish to go along with your own helmet.
Note that helmets for use with bicycles are inappropriate for horse riding because they're made to different standards of impact measures and safety. The better riding facilities will not permit you to use helmets without ASTM/SEI validation, so be certain not to let some silver tongued tack shop man charm you into getting a barely suitable helmet. Do some homework, learn about the coolest brands, get a helmet with a correct label, your riding school will most likely be doing some inspection of its own on the 1st day you turn up.
Your next acquisition should consist of a pair of boots with square heels and smooth soles. You can think about cowboy or jodhpur boots when you buy them, but don't splash out just yet on real riding boots. Just settle for a quality pair of ankle boots with smooth soles and square heels. Ideally, your boots cover and support the ankles. Sneakers, army boots and dockers are definitely not acceptable. Army boots come with awfully thick treads, and your foot could well get caught in the stirrup if you tumble, with the possibility of bad injury ensuing. By the same token, shoes without square heels let your feet slide right through into the stirrup and again, this could be deadly. Remember: boots without treads, with smooth soles, with square heels.
Your next decision is on acceptable pants for riding. A lot of new riders find this choice a bit of a quandary. Denim pants often fit loosely and have prominent seams, which can badly scrape your inner legs and knees and maybe your calves, too. Jeans also have a tendency to ride up the legs, exposing your calves and allowing them to get chafed by the stirrup leathers. Most leg wear for running is rather slick on the exterior, which can potentially make you slip while you are in your saddle. All of this means you need pants that don't have thick seams, don't rub and do not ride up. You could try jeans with pantyhose beneath, don't giggle, I have known lots of men to utilise this combo , or you can use thick tights. Rather than panty hose, you might use long johns with jeans, but this will be workable only in winter. If you do use long johns, make sure you tuck them into your socks, so they won't ride up. In winter, thick tights customarily work fine with leg warmers, which have recycled into fashion. Ultimately, you need breeches or riding tights. You could also try out jeans especially made for riding, which are made of stretch material and have no inner seams.
You are all set: you've got your certified helmet, correct footwear and approved attire. It is time to get onto that pony and have a great time!
About the Author:
Horses are Heather Toms
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers read more
passion and she enjoys sharing her extensive knowledge through her 100s of
articles with other horse lovers read more
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