The basic clothing you will need for your first horse riding lesson is comfortable tops and bottoms. You should aim to wear thin layers when riding, as if too hot you will be able to take layers off, and if learning in the winter you will be able to put extra layers on. Any comfortable pants should suffice, but you should aim to wear bottoms that are not baggy and no rough materials. This is to ensure the comfort of both you and the horse as your legs will be on the sides of the horse and may rub if a rough material. As you progress in your riding, it may be advisable to invest in a pair of good jodhpurs if you will be riding regularly.

Regarding shoes for your first horse riding lesson, any strong boots would be suitable provided they are not too ‘grippy’ (in the case of hiking boots) and it might be a good idea to have a small heel. By wearing shoes with a small heel, you run less of a risk of your foot slipping through the stirrup. Your riding school will be able to advise you best in this instance, as they may allow you to wear trainers for the first couple of lessons until you can get something more suitable. As above, as your riding progresses you may want to buy a pair of paddock or riding boots if you think you want to continue up the levels.