Please can you advise a total novice!

[GrimmaTheNome]

After DD went to a 'pony party' and loved it, we decided to all have some lessons - DH rode a bit as a boy but I only ever went on a couple of pony treks like a sack of potatoes.

The aim is no more ambitious than to all feel comfortable with some trekking on holiday.

Two lessons in, so far so good but I've got a very simple question - given that I don't really want to buy proper boots, what's the most appropriate 'normal' footwear? DD and I have been wearing wellies, DH trainers.

If you have any other sage words of advice to novices on other matters feel free

Aim for something with a small heel, the main thing being to stop your foot slipping too far through the stirrup iron. Therefore wellies are a reasonable choice (as long as they aren't great chunky builder's wellies likely to get wedged!), but trainers are definitely not.

My other advice is comfy pants.

Thanks

Get some cheap short jodhpur boots off EBay, it's the safe option and you can wear them with jeans, not just for riding.
I've never heard anyone say that wellies are a safe choice for riding, and I'm surprised that a riding school is allowing you to ride in wellies and trainers. Both are unsafe. Although I do ride in trainers with cage-toe endurance stirrups, I doubt they are being provided at a riding school.

I too am that the riding school would let anyone ride with trainers - imo that's as bad as riding without a hat! In fact I'd question their BHS license...

Anyway, I think fluffyone's idea of a cheap pair from ebay would be great and they look very smart under jeans.

As for "comfy pants" - can I just say "BIG pants" with a WIDE gusset.

I started riding again at 28 after a 13 year break. I wore a g-string. When I got home my pubes came out in clumps.

Yes, I wonder where you are riding? Maybe if you let us know whereabouts you are, someone could recommend a good riding school. If they are this bad re safety I wonder what quality of teaching you're getting.
You'll have some lovely times on holiday when you're ready to go.

Good for you Grimma, We're all now riding, and we have never been happier or closer as a family. Word of warning though, before you know it you will NEED your own horses, and then they will eat every penny you earn for ever more.

I'd add some Tesco jods onto the shopping list, but I'm with everyone else about boots. Do the riding school not have ones you can borrow?

Def go for black jodphur or paddock boots - your DD will get loads of wear out of them anyway - particularly in wet/cold weather.

DD hacks out in her wellies in Winter - don't really have a problem with this as they are close fitting and good heel (Joules).

Shocked by anybody wearing trainers to ride in (unless as Fluffy says you are wearing cage toes).

Cheap jods will be more comfortable than jeans and you can just shove them in the washing machine afterwards.

What are you doing about helmets? Do you borrow them or are you thinking of investing in one? The latter would ensure a good, safe and comfortable fit and they need not cost the earth.

DHs shoes aren't exactly trainers, I'll take a closer look at them when he gets home.

They have plenty of helmets to borrow and did check the fit of those carefully.

There is also a stack of short boots (which I presume is what you mean by 'jodphur boots') which I think we're at liberty to borrow - I'll have a delve next time.

Apart from not fussing about our footwear yet the place seems well run and the trainer is good.

Oh you've all made me feel bad now. Of course proper riding boots are best but I didn't want to seem all preachy when the OP specifically said she didn't want to buy any, and is only really intending to ride when on holiday (unless the bug bites of course . Just pointing out that in those circumstances a decent pair of wellies are far safer than trainers.

I'm with everyone else in thinking that it's odd that a proper riding school would let someone ride like that, but let's face it, lots of trekking places that take out holidaymakers do allow it otherwise they would have very few customers! I know of places whose main income is from people camping nearby, who see the stables and are nagged mercilessly by their children until they agree decide to go riding. Most of them have never been on a horse before in their lives. And in many cases never will again .

Hm well their website says, under Dress:

We provide riding hats for beginners free of charge but strongly recommend a hat is purchased as a priority item once you have decided to continue with your riding.

Footwear is also an important consideration for purchase - a boot with a heel is required for rider safety. Riders are not permitted to ride in trainers or unsuitable footwear.

Comfortable trousers (jeans are not recommended) such a leggings or jogging pants are ideal for starters.

I'd better point this out to DH, his trainer-ish shoes probably will get noticed soon.

Trainers don't bear thinking about really. If the stirrup iron is the correct size for his foot, when he's wearing trainers his foot would be able to go right through the stirrup. So, imagine if he fell and his foot got stuck like that. Horrible.
I still maintain never ride in wellies, even close fitting ones like Joules aren't sold for riding. But people do do it. However, I'm a bit surprised a riding school would allow it. I think if you had an accident and they were sued it would make an interesting case if you'd been riding in wellies.

Most riding schools today use safety stirrups, which helps with safety, never ride in any footwear that doesn't have an instep. I have ridden over the years in trainers and trainer boots, (with instep) walking boots, caterpillar style boots, dm's, wellies, paddock boots, muckers, jodhpur boots and long riding boots. Big loose wellies aren't good and I would avoid big chunky soles, but the only real difference between riding boots and normal boots is the shape of the metal shank in the sole, which puts the weight on the toe, not the heel. Of all the footwear, trainers are the option I would least recommend, and I would definitely strongly recommend riding boots if the school doesn't use safety stirrups. If you aren't going to ride loads, I'd buy hat first, followed by boots and jodhs. A hat should always be new and fitted to your head, but boots and jodhs can be picked up really cheaply on eBay.

If you are near a Tesco their riding kit seems to be half price at the mo? They had boots for a tenner which might suit you and the kids if not DH )don't think they go beyond an adult 9)

Many thanks for your advice. I told DH that the website said no trainers and explained why - he took it to heart and will dig out some rarely worn boots with a heel. I asked what he used to ride in as a boy - he said normal shoes, but of course 35 years ago shoes were shoes and trainers weren't invented.

Most riding schools where Ive worked allow wellies as long as they don't have steel toe caps but not trainers.

That said the RDA rding school where I worked provided toe-caps for stirrups which meant we could have riders in trainers. this was primarily because some RDA riders would not be happy removing their footwear but also came in handy for the able-bodied as well.

As well a comfy pants, if you have decent sized boobs go and get a good sports bra. It will be worth every penny.

I got some big pants from Peacocks really cheaply (they are in pack of 2). They are seamless so super-comfy for riding and don't have a VPL under jodhs. Plus they make me more determined not to fall off as I'd hate to be carted off to hospital and have them revealed in all their glory. Comfy but hideous, oh well can't have everything!