What do I wear?
Ideally old clothes, a pair of strong closed in shoes, loose or stretchy ankle length trousers and a couple of layers on top. Bring a raincoat or wind-jacket for ‘just in case’. It’s also worth having a change of clothes with you, and of course don’t forget the sunscreen. Read on if you need to know more…..
Helmets
We supply helmets sizes 53cm to 62cm. You may of course bring your own approved riding helmet if you have one. Ladies -your high pony tails and hard hair clips will be really uncomfortable in a helmet.
Shoes
For safety reasons you must wear shoes that cover and protect your whole foot. Good choices are cross-trainers, running shoes, walking boots, riding boots or gumboots. They will get dirty, especially in winter, so choose old shoes! Parents supervise your children’s’ choice of footwear.
It is not safe to ride in open sandals, high heels, stilettos, jandals, thongs or any loose shoes that can fall off. Trainers with fat tongues are dangerous because they can get stuck in the stirrups and large steel-cap boots may not fit into the stirrups at all.
It is not safe to ride in open sandals, high heels, stilettos, jandals, thongs or any loose shoes that can fall off. Trainers with fat tongues are dangerous because they can get stuck in the stirrups and large steel-cap boots may not fit into the stirrups at all.
Legs
For your own comfort wear ankle length, loose, flexible trousers like track pants, cargo pants, stretch jeans or heavy leggings. Parents make sure your children choose sensible leg coverings.
If you wear tight inflexible jeans you might not be able to get your leg over the horse (yes it HAS happened, and more than once!). If you wear shorts or crop pants the stirrup leathers could rub and bruise your lower legs (unless they are very tough). Zip-off pants can also be very uncomfortable as the zip will rub against your leg.
If you wear tight inflexible jeans you might not be able to get your leg over the horse (yes it HAS happened, and more than once!). If you wear shorts or crop pants the stirrup leathers could rub and bruise your lower legs (unless they are very tough). Zip-off pants can also be very uncomfortable as the zip will rub against your leg.
Underwear
- You might not normally give this much thought, but we suggest that you choose carefully for your own comfort and support. By this we mean sports bras for the ladies and fitting jockies for the men. Trust us – many a man has regretted wearing boxers.
Backpacks
We strongly advise against wearing backpacks other than camel packs or bum bags. They get uncomfortable and it is likely scare the horse if you try to take it off while you are riding. If you need to carry medicine, cameras, phones etc. then wear a bum bag (fanny pack) around your waist, or a wear a jacket with zip up pockets.
Bringing along ‘stuff’
We recommend you leave as much locked in your vehicle as possible. It’s a big paddock out there, hundreds of acres of tracks that stretch for many kilometres. If you drop your phone, wallet, car keys, camera, jewellery, sunglasses etc. and do not notice, then it’s a very long walk to go and find them.
Items in unzipped pockets are very likely to fall out through the movement on the horse.
Items in unzipped pockets are very likely to fall out through the movement on the horse.