What to wear horse riding in Side
One thing matters more than everything else on this list, and it is not the shoes. It is the trousers — and in thirty-five degrees that is exactly the advice nobody wants to hear.
Wear long, comfortable trousers and closed shoes you can walk in. Long trousers are the single most important item: bare legs against a saddle and stirrup leathers for an hour is what makes people sore. Leave flip-flops, sandals, heels and anything loose and flapping at the hotel. Add sun cream, sunglasses and a hair tie.
Why long trousers, in this heat
Because a saddle flap is leather and your leg moves against it for an hour. Shorts are what turns a good ride into a chafed evening, and it happens to everybody who tries it, not just to beginners.
Thin cotton or light sports trousers are perfect. They do not need to be riding breeches and nobody expects you to own any. Leggings work. Jeans work but are hot.
You will be warmer than you would be in shorts. You will also be able to sit down comfortably at dinner.
What to wear
- Long, comfortable trousers — light fabric, nothing tight at the knee.
- Closed shoes with a flat sole you can walk in. See what shoes to wear.
- A t-shirt or light long sleeve. Long sleeves are kinder in the sun than they sound.
- Sunglasses that will stay on, and sun cream on anything the sleeves do not cover.
- A hair tie if your hair is long. It goes under the helmet, not through it.
What to leave at the hotel
- Flip-flops and sandals. These slide off feet, and a foot loose in a stirrup at the wrong instant is a safety matter rather than a comfort one.
- Anything with a heel.
- Loose scarves, wide floppy sleeves, long open shirts. Anything that flaps near a horse's eye is a bad idea and anything that can catch on tack is worse.
- A sun hat with a brim. It does not fit under a helmet, and the helmet wins.
- Jewellery you would cry about. Rings and reins do not get along.
What about the dust?
There will be some. It is a sand and forest track in a dry climate, and you will come back dustier than you left. Wear something you do not mind putting straight in the wash.
If you wear contact lenses, sunglasses do most of the work. Nobody has ever regretted bringing a small bottle of water for their face afterwards.
Riding in high summer? Riding in the summer heat has the clothing advice specific to July and August.
Ready to ride?
The standard hour has a price and a calendar. Sunset, sunrise and private rides are arranged with the riding centre.
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