Rec and Sports

Equestrian Wear Guidelines

Each equine sport is different and demands different skills from the rider so their apparel is not just used for display but also to help them move easily during competitions. A mass of garments are made to provide head to toe protection for equestrians.

For equestrian activities, the essential items of clothing are the boots, chaps, gaiters breeches and jodhpurs for the legs, the jacket and body protector for the torso, and the hat for the head. It is vital for someone new to know each type of dress. Equipping yourself with knowledge about the basics is important before purchasing equestrian wear, because it is quite an expense.

The most important dress is the horse riding hat because it safe-guards the horse riders from falls which can be experienced whether you are in or out of a competition and while horses can be trained they can still be unpredictable.

The hat comprises of a sturdy shell and a soft lining that absorbs shock, a vital source of safe-guards for a rider should he or she fall. When you’re not horse riding, it is still necessary to wear them, since the horse may kick when you are on the ground.

If the horse rider suffers from a fall the hat should be exchanged right away as the fall can diminish the hat’s integrity. Every three or four years you should replace your horse riding hat as its safe guards ability decreases over time as the padding compresses with daily use.

The classic horse riding hat, made of traditional velvet, is the first of the three basic hats available for riders. It is available in brown, black, or navy and has a hard peak.

You will also run across the skull cap with is a equestrian helmet that does not have a peak and can be seen worn by a number of jockeys. It’s now popular with other horse riders for leisure or contest and silks which are peak covers can be placed over the skull cap giving the appearance of a horseback riding hat.

There are also novelty silks ideal for young ones with eyes and ears sewn on them for example. The third one is the skull protector which is a riding hat similar to a cycling equestrian helmet so it is lightweight and ventilated, usually worn during warm weather or summer.

Bona fide horse riding hats are equipped with a chin strap and are made to conform to riding hat safety standards such as the three that have been established by the United Kingdom. Riding hats need to follow particular regulations for safety criteria like fastening the chin strap.

Riders should always remember to secure their hats with beginners purchasing one which is comfortable for them. Riding hats are one of the most essential pieces of equestrian apparel. In the event of a fall, horseback riding hats help safe-guard the riders head from severe injuries. Individuals who ride horses should not buy a riding hat that used to belong to somebody else because the damage it sustained throughout the first ownership is not visible from the exterior and has a good chance to not offer as much safety, therefore invariably buy new hats if you want to be sure.