Bay Area Adult Beginner Rider Looking for Barn and Fashion recommendations

[RSN]

Hi!

I’ve always wanted to learn how to horseback ride but it was never in the budget. Growing up I did a few trail rides but have now started taking english lessons. Currently I have a small budget dedicated to this hobby, which I’m really excited about! I decided to start with english because it seems to be more in communicative with the horse.

I don’t have any serious aspirations to show and zero desire to own a horse but am looking forward to mastering w/t/c and potentially look into jumping or dressage in the (very distant) future. I’m in the penninsula bay area and was wondering if people could suggest a few barns for a rider like me. Anywhere in the half moon bay, pacifica, woodside area would work for me. The more northern barns would make it more likely for me to ride during the middle of the week after work. Seems like I should avoid springdown? Is it normal that classes are $90-100 in this area?

I’ve only taken 3 classes so far and my trainer is already asking me to get ariat tall boots. I currently have a pair of black performer pro xv paddock boots and brown ariat suede half chaps that I snagged on a huge significant sale, unfortunately the sale didn’t have a matching color of half chaps in my size . I get the feeling that this may be a huge faux pas but how lame would it be to show up to lessons in mismatched colored chaps and boots?

Any advice would be great!

[Edre]

Congratulations on starting lessons! It’s so exciting to finally have the opportunity to participate in something that you’ve always wanted to.

I can’t speak to pricing in your area as some things factor into pricing - region plays a part as metropolitan or suburban barns are generally more expensive than more rural options, the credentials of your instructor can be a contributor to pricing as someone who is a former olympian or olympic coach will command higher fees, etc. So while I can’t speak to your specific area, I do encourage you to do some comparative shopping. Find a few barns that are capable of meeting your needs - beginner friendly lesson horses and beginner instruction - and see what the prices are at each, and see how the instructor/instruction style is at each. Barns aren’t one-size-fits-all!

That said: Especially for beginner riders, fashion is the last concern I have. Does your helmet fit properly? Do you have appropriate boots that will keep you safe in the stirrup? Is your riding attire going to keep you comfortable in your climate? Gloves (for me) are also high on my list though that’s more a preference than a must-have safety requirement.

Your instructor’s insistence on a certain brand and make seems snobbish to me, and unnecessary. If your boots and chaps fit properly, there is no reason for a professional to steer you to a specific brand (or tall boots vs half chaps). I hate lessoning in tall boots. Hate. Once I wore my first pair out (I bought them because I thought they were the One True Proper Option!) I never went back. I have a pair for showing that come out only for showing or other Super Formal Events, but other than that I am riding in my paddock boots and chaps. And, quelle horreur ! I have in the past had boots and chaps that didn’t match.

[Edre]

Whoops. I realized, on reflection, that my reply above may not actually be terribly helpful. I think I got a little too heated. I’m going to leave it up (I stand by everything I said there!) but hopefully you won’t mind my re-do, attempt #2 to give a reasonable and thoughtful answer here.

Buying equipment, especially as a beginner, should have an emphasis on being safe and functional (rather than fashion-forward).

Boots and half chaps are just as suitable for you at this point in your riding as tall boots could be. (Additionally, many advanced riders prefer the ease of boots/chaps. Professionals included.) Furthermore, when you say “tall boots” know that not all tall boots are the same! There are different styles, some specific to certain types of riding. Even if you find you prefer riding in tall boots (some people do!) you need to pay attention to what it is you’re buying so you don’t end up making things more difficult for yourself with an inappropriate equipment selection.

A great analogy for this is cars. A beginner driver doesn’t need a Top Brand Name Car (with flashy buttons, specs, etc). They need a solid, serviceable vehicle with good safety ratings. Security, not the fashion statement. (And of course some beginner drivers - and beginner riders - can and do go hog wild and go for fashion statements. There’s tons of top notch, top price, top name brands that are very fashionable and very safe. But for those of us who don’t want to spend $$$$$, there’s serviceable alternatives that are just as safe, just as acceptable, and just as reasonable without the Brand Name.)

Now, some of this will come down to barn culture. There are some barns that really emphasize a certain look (they’ll push for the brand name helmet, big brand boots, fancy brand saddle, etc etc etc). That is that barn’s culture. That does not mean all barns are the same. So to my point above: dip your toe in and take lessons several different places with several different instructors. Barns, like schools, workplaces, and friend groups, all have different “flavors”“tones”“cultures”. If one doesn’t suit you, don’t be discouraged! There is surely another barn out there that is more your speed.

As far as I’m concerned - Show up early, brush your horse well, have a good attitude for learning, wear safe (certified, where applicable) equipment…and who cares what color it is!

[IPEsq]

As a beginner rider with no show aspirations, fashion should be low on the list for you and your trainer. Safety is important, but what you are wearing is as safe as tall boots. I mean, when I was a beginner rider, half chaps weren’t invented yet and full chaps were expensive. We put polo wraps on our legs with paddock boots. Over jeans of course.

I used to know some lesson barns in that area when my sister taught out there but it’s been many years. Just wanted to pipe in on the fashion question.

[Wanderosa]

Requisite “not a trainer”…

I second Edre that it’s odd the trainer would specify a brand. Ariat are nice, middle-of-the-road boots but there are plenty of other comparable brands. And I’ve never heard of a trainer insisting on a beginner having tall boots. I personally wear tall boots because I have veins that get bruised by the stirrup leathers through paddock boots/half chaps. I’d say i’m in the minority, though. Don’t worry about the color not matching for schooling. I’ve seen every possible permutation. A trainer of mine got a really nice pair of half chaps as a gift and got away with wearing them instead of his tall boots in schooling horse trials. :lol: I agree that the helmet is much more important and hope you’ve received guidance on buying a good one.

I completely understand if you’re anxious to look the part, though. In that case, you can’t go wrong with a sun shirt or polo; conservative colored breeches; boot combo of your choice; and a helmet in a conservative color.

[RSN]

Whew! Thank you guys for the reassurance! The other black boots I wore to class got super dusty in a single class so I figured my brown chaps would also be covered in dust and then it all wouldn’t matter if I can’t keep my heels down, hands down and chin up anyways.

I tried a few tall boots but they were all too tall or I couldn’t zip up my fat and very wide calf when half chaps and paddocks were way easier to find a fit! My trainer offered to connect me with someone who could do custom tall boots but I am no where close to considering that budget at this time. She admitted it would take me approximately 2 years to jumping so I figure I can take at least 1.5-2 years to save for gear as I learn more about my own preferences.

I completely agree that safety is the name of the game. My goal is not to get my foot stuck in the stirrup or get my toe stomped on my an errant hoof!

I’m also struggling with gloves. The gloves that fit my hands have fingers that are too long… Any suggestions? It seems like my body likes to be short and stumpy compared to the rest of the equestrian world where everybody seems to be long and lean.

I’ve been borrowing the barn’s helmet so far.

[SolarFlare]

I would prioritize your budget to get a helmet first. Make sure you get fitted so that you are buying the brand and style that fits you best, which is the safest option. Some brands are known to settle in as you wear them, so you need to buy them fitting quite tight when new (Charles Owen, for example).

For gloves, try on different brands and sizes, and in your case, perhaps try on men’s sizes. I find men’s gloves have much more room in the palm of the hand than ladies’ sizing. I also find this style (SSG Technical) is very stretchy and comfortable, and might have more give to fit your hand better: https://www.ssgridinggloves.com/products/85004/8500-technical-6-black

[2DogsFarm]

I agree Safety First before matchymatchy.
First spendy item on your list should be an approved helmet that fits you comfortably.
Troxel has several well-priced models, no need to spend $400 or more on a “name”.

That said, Ariat boots are a good off-the-rack alternative. I believe they offer a wide calf option.
Until you are sure you’re committed to staying with the sport, there is no need to drop $1K or more on custom boots.

Enjoy yourself & welcome to COTH :applause:

[Scribbler]

When I returned to riding 12 years ago, I went into twice weekly lessons and the first piece of gear I bought was a helmet. Because who wants to wear a shared helmet? The next gear was paddock boots and half chaps (black boots, brown suede half chaps). For the first couple months I wore a pair of old winter boots that looked like paddock boots, and I think I borrowed half chaps from the barn?

I kept riding in some old stretch denim jeans that could squeeze under the half chaps. Then a couple of years into lessons I got a pair of beige knee patch breeches. Actually rather than “fit in,” I was a little embarrassed to be flaunting too much gear until I felt like I had really earned it, and was going to stick with riding! I hate having piles of sporting gear lying around that I tried and gave up on. But breeches really do increase your comfort level in the saddle enormously.

When I finally got some tall field boots (Ariat, on closeout discount) after I had been leasing a horse for a year, it was a big deal to me. I got them at Christmas and broke my arm just before New Year’s (slipped on ice) so there was a bit of a delay getting to wear them.

Well, nowadays I have a whole wardrobe of breeches and polo shirts, and jump and dressage saddles, and summer and winter paddock boots, and etc etc. But I still turn to paddock boots and half chaps for daily riding, particularly since I’m in self board and do all my own chores, wash my horse, etc. I like that you can take off the half chaps if it’s hot out, or muddy out, and that you can pair the half chaps with different footwear (winter insulated boots, or waterproof boots, or lightweight leather boots). I’m on my third helmet, and my advice would be try on a bunch of different brands, get advice from the tack store, and if you can find a helmet with a removable washable liner, you will be very happy, because they do get stinky.

My advice for tops is that the selection, price, fit, and colors of things in either the polo shirt category or the sunshirt category are way better outside of the actual equestrian market. Discount golf shops and the TJMaxx kind of discount stores will have all kinds of big name brands at far less than the tack stores. Some people love cotton knit polo shirts, other people love the new tech fabric sunshirts that are meant to breathe and cool you down, probably a lot depends on the climate and whether you ride indoors or outdoors. Likewise any rain jackets, parkas, hoodies, etc: you’ll probably find better styles and prices in general sportswear stores.

[snftrs]

There’s a non-profit called ‘Tack Gives Back’ in Woodside. It’s a great place to get less expensive riding apparel, horse equipment, etc. They’ve got a big selection of tall boots, paddock boots, half chaps and breeches. Tack Gives Back holds sales about every 4-6 weeks during good weather, less often during the winter. The next sale is July 21, Sunday, 1-4pm. If you friend them on Facebook, you’ll see the sale announcements.

The group accepts gently used tack and resells it to support NCEFT, National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy which is a local therapeutic riding group. Have fun with your riding lessons!

[Tyrus_Mom]

I have tall boots but prefer half chaps for comfort.

I would have preferred riding in stretchy jeans but the seam I was told would wreck my nice dressage saddle, so I ride in breeches.

Obviously, comfort and budget is more important to me than looks so I ride in big tee shirts and sun sleeves. The sun sleeves keep my arms from tanning and keep me alternately warm or cool. Got them cheap on ebay. I absolutely hate wearing form fitting tops that are so fashionable for English riding.as much as I hate plunging necklines and showing cleavage. Not my thing.

A helmet, as everyone has been saying, is highly important. They are hot and uncomfortable but necessary. They also don’t provide enough shade in the sun. I originally got a…not sure what it’s called, but it’s a visor that you strap on the helmet and keeps the sun off your face. It works ok, but can fall off. Therefore I opted to turn my helmet into what’s called a hellhat. You can buy one custom made on line or make your own. It essentially pairs a wide brim cowboy hat with a helmet to provide shade. I think they look nice, the brim doesn’t fall off and it keeps my face from the sun, but probably in some high tone barns they may be frowned upon.

I do what’s comfortable first. If you aren’t showing you have no one to answer to but yourself. I think the older we get, the more practical we get about the extraneous stuff in our lives.

Gloves for me are a must. If you don’t buy good enough quality ones you’ll wear them out faster, but good ones in mid range pricing do the job.

If you are fanatical about riding in all weather Muddy Creek makes a great long raincoat for riding in, just make sure your horse isn’t worried about the extra fabric that can flap when cantering.

I wouldn’t worry about matching paddock boots and half chaps.

My horse on the other hand has a small wardrobe of colorful patterned saddle pads. I don’t think the traditional dressage enthusiast does this. Again, I don’t care. I like it, since I usually keep my own attire more on the monochromatic side and the boy also serves as my own gigantic Little Pony for my inner 12 y.o. Thankfully I don’t board where anyone gives a rat’s patootie about it. I understand this may not be the case for you so that is not recommended.

[Scribbler]

Something else for OP to bear in mind, as a new rider.

It’s tempting at the start to splurge on riding clothes because those are your only expenses.

But once you start doing multiple lessons per week, or half leasing, or owning a horse, the costs of the operating expenses and the quantity of gear needed just skyrocket. I was a returning rider, and so I had a sense of what the future costs would be if I stuck with the return, and that kept me modest in my startup investment in clothes.

For instance, that $1000 plus for custom boots. That is an over the top price for most of us.

My current jump saddle cost me $500 to buy second hand and $300 to have restuffed by a saddle fitter to fit my horse perfectly (older Passier, wonderful saddle). If I wanted to buy a green off track thoroughbred (I don’t!), I could get one for $500 or $1000 around here. My hay is currently running at $480 a ton, and I feed 15 lbs a day, so if you do the math, I could feed my horse for about 8 months on $1000. My annual cost for grain plus supplements (super expensive vitamin mineral supplement!) is no more than $1000.

I realize some people need custom boots because they have unusual proportions but most people don’t go that route. And if I couldn’t fit into any off the shelf tall boots, I would wait until I was genuinely showing at a level that required tall boots before giving up on the paddock boots and half chaps. And I would wait until I was showing before I even worried if the boots and half chaps matched.

My guess is the tall boot rep is a BFF of the trainer in question and they are sending business that way, regardless of whether that makes sense for the OP. To me that is perhaps a red flag that this trainer is going to be regarding their clients as walking ATMs, which I can certainly see in SF with all the tech money looking for places to spend itself, and horse trainers being probably as broke there as anywhere on the planet (richer customers, but sky high land prices).

[MustangTwist]

You should check out Torie Dye’s lesson program at Westwind in Los Altos Hills. Very good environment for beginners and the facility has views to die for.

[paintedpony]

Congratulations on starting lessons!! I know this journey will bring you great joy.

I too would make the purchase of a well fitted helmet your priority. Have an experienced vendor assist you with fit. Look for certification, and know that helmets have a 5 year shelf life. There is a huge variation in price. You do not need a $1000 helmet. There are many available for less than $200 that would be very suitable. Try on many, as the fit varies from round to oval, and you may find one that is very flattering and comfortable. Consider ventilation as helmets can be very warm and uncomfortable.

Other wise, check out local Facebook groups for gently used items. Breeches allow unrestricted movement and are very comfortable. Personally, I would consider them a need, not a want. You should be able to purchase gently used for around $40.

Your current footwear/chaps will serve you well. I would not consider buying tall boots until you have several months of lessons under your belt, and know you will continue. There are several off the rack boots that could fit you well, and are modestly priced. Look at TuffRider, available in multiple heights, and calf sizes (including wide and extra wide) built in stretch panels are forgiving, and cost is around $200.

Wear any top you choose. Tech fabrics are cool, and I see many in our world riding in non horsey items. As your riding progresses, and you are doing more trotting and cantering, you may need to invest in a sports bra.

The only thing you will wear, that others will truly notice, will be your smile. LOL………everything else will end up covered in horse slobber and dust.

[RSN]

Thanks for all the advice! I’ll keep helmet on the next purchase item. The saddleries I know close by are Carousel and Olsen Nolte Saddle Shop, I hope they can help me with my helmet. Thank you for the specific tips of what to look for (fit, ventilation, visor-ish feature, washable liner)

I’m also wary of collecting too many pieces of equipment prior to being fully committed so I appreciate the advice of where to focus and though I live in the bay area, I don’t have an infinite budget. I know the paddock boots can be reused as shoes I can wear around and the breeches are super comfy yoga like pants anyways and the half chaps were only $15. I have plenty of athletic shirts from other sports that would probably be suffice for sun coverage.

I’ve officially decided that tall boots are for much much later. If ever.

I’ll definitely check out Tack Gives Back and Victoria Dye’s equestrian program! I was also thinking about Webb Ranch as well.

When do you know when to increase the number of lessons up to 2 classes or more? My very modest budget currently only has enough space for once a week class…That may change in the future but it’s good to plan and know what budget I should commit if doing this long term.

[rockonxox]

If you can afford it and are enjoying riding and have the time then move up to 2 lessons/week. Honestly, a lot of people can only do one a week and there is nothing wrong with that. The more you ride the quicker you may learn, but you can still learn the basics on a once a week basis. If you have time to do 2 lessons, but not necessarily the funds, maybe see if you can help out your trainer (with no expectations of anything in return) to learn more about horsemanship.

Most tack stores will have sidewalk or tent sales. I think most have already done them for the year (ours are around March-May for the few stores we have left out here), but definitely keep a look out for things like that. I would rather spend my money on riding lessons than being fashion forward. I spent $35 total on a show jacket and a show shirt at a sidewalk sale and nobody is the wiser because I look like everyone else (hunters). For jumpers, I just buy polos when I see them on sale. You can usually find stuff in the golf section that looks nice for jumpers or at athletic outlet stores. I have spent a good amount on a couple pairs of breeches, but all have lasted me for over 5 years (so far) which I deem as money well spent. I also pick up cheapie schooling breeches here and there, but won’t get any newer nicer ones unless warranted or I find a heck of a sale. I have a pair of tall boots that I never wear. I would not listen to a trainer who required a specific brand – I will get what I can afford and what fits me! I live in my half chaps and paddock boots (which have lasted for decades and work just fine for schooling shows).

Definitely agree that a helmet should be the next purchase as having one fit to you is very important. Since you have the ability to go into the tack store you should be fine. They should be knowledgeable in fitting riders of all head sizes and hair types

[MustangTwist]

@RSN

When do you know when to increase the number of lessons up to 2 classes or more? My very modest budget currently only has enough space for once a week class…That may change in the future but it’s good to plan and know what budget I should commit if doing this long term.

Whenever you have the time & money to make that commitment ! Some places have lesson packages that will give you a discount if you buy a certain number of lessons for the month. Especially as an adult beginner, the more often you ride, the faster you’ll improve. Where are you taking lessons now?

It would also be helpful to add some fitness to your routine, if you’re not already doing so. I find cardio and core work to be the most complimentary to my riding.

With regard to riding equipment, Carousel is expensive and has a limited selection. I’d suggest going there to check out sizing, then trying to shop around online for the best deals.

[RSN]

@MustangTwist

Where are you taking lessons now?

I’ll PM you

[ReSomething]

I was told when I came back to riding that I needed more time in the saddle. It may possibly be more affordable for you to find a trailriding place for additional riding time, though some of them are geared to the horn clutching non rider. I found I had more interesting rides on weekdays, though insurance limits what they will do. I know there was a place in Half Moon Bay, there was one in Marin, Miwok stables and three in Sonoma county, Armstrong woods pack outfit, triple creek
outfit and whatever they call themselves this year at Bodega Bay. If that idea interests you there may be others closer by also.

The fashion police were definitely after me, I wore a friends used helmet (she swore it was unmolested) and a sort of soft seamed track pant that fit in my boots, did get $200 tall boots that looked nicer than my 30 year old pair and some proper beige breeches on sale, but eventually I got a set of paddock boots and half chaps and had done with it.

It is important for your instructor to be able to see your posture and body position, and they kinda don’t like it if you wear a gym crop top even if practicing gymnasts and ballerinas wear them, so you can’t go wrong with a nice well fitted polo with a fitted zip front hoodie for the winter.

I moved to a saddlebred place and did show in the beginners division so only Kentucky jods and since they are slick polyester and you haven’t lived until you’ve slithered off your horse because of your slick breeches (you can get the same sensation with bareback and a lot of showsheen) I wore them at all times to get used to them. It’s mortifying to have your horse canter off from a stop without you.