What are the best products to buy for horseback riding?

I have had 1 horse riding lesson and wish to carry it on as a further hobby. how can I do this and what products / brands are best to buy?

Hi!

What are you looking to buy? The best brand is largely dependent on what you're purchasing (saddles, blankets, bits, etc. for the horse, or clothes for you!)

After one lesson, I wouldn't think of spending a lot of money but the most essential things when riding are a safety helmet , good leather boots, (not rubber) breeches or jodhpurs and gloves and perhaps a long schooling whip (dressage whip) . Don't bother with the short jumping whips as they are a waste of time when schooling a horse.

There's no point in spending a lot on any of these items if you are still growing with the exception of the hard hat. You can't place a price on the value of your head ! Never buy a second hand one.

Look at the Horse and Hound website - (http://www.horseandhound.co.uk) or the Your Horse website. They do product comparisons (most brands are available world wide) .

a helmet, riding pants, boots. Unless you get more into it I would lay off of expensive things. You can get things of the same quality if you just look.

well I was only looking for clothing and safety gear as I dont have a horse or am going to have one in the near fuure

thanks for tha advice, does anyone know any good riding schools near Runcorn or Worksop? or places to purchase things from?

I'm not sure where those places are. However, if you do a search for "Equestrian clothing" I teach Western Pleasure. I have seen many items for Engish riders at http://www.horse.com and saddleshop.com. If you go to equisearch.com there are many on there that will be a better help than I can be. Hope that has helped you.

Are you doing western or English ?? What items are you looking for(grooming,etc)??unless you have your own horse you shouldnt have to buy your own products other than boots and a helmet.

After one lesson you CANNOT look to get a horse. I rode 3 years straight, and trained 5 years straight before I got one. so don't buy all the stuff and say well now I'm ready! there a lot of money, and a lot to get into. I wouldn't buy any tack if the place has it. thats a waste on money cause its NOT cheap. it depends on your riding style on what you get to ride, which again, I wouldn't buy till you've been thrown a few times and know you want to keep it up. western you could get riding boots, half/full chaps, some jeans, socks, gloves, and a good hoodie or coat for winter. English is over my head, I do all western pleasue, pole bending, team penning, western dressage, and then some, no hunts or that jazz.

I like Dover saddlery, they have a website, a good catalog, good quality and good sales fairly frequently. It's hard to answer your question on-line without more specifics. If you specifically said: "I need (blank)" then people could recommend brands and styles. It sounds like you don't really know what you need, and I would say ask the person you are taking lessons from. This person ought to be very knowledgeable. Also, look in the yellow pages in your area for a tack store, or even a feed store. The people who work in the store are always very knowledgeable and helpful. Good luck riding and just HAVE FUN!!