Helmets

All riders under 18 are asked to wear helmets at LionHeart (and everyone is encouraged to!).  We do have loaner helmets available for children to borrow.  Those helmets, however, are really meant to be used for for a child’s first couple of riding lessons, until the child has one of her own.  The safety benefits of a helmet are probably the most obvious to everyone, but the health benefits of each rider having her own are important as well.  Head lice, for example, can be transmitted through shared helmets.  We do clean our helmets, but especially on a busy Saturday morning, a helmet might not get sprayed with Lysol between riders.  In order to insure that we don’t have this problem, it’s best for each rider to have her own.  Especially if you know your child has an issue with lice, please purchase a helmet for her so that the issue doesn’t spread. Please note: Bicycle helmets are not designed for riding horses and will not be allowed.

Riding Boots

Proper riding boots are the next important item.  A proper riding boot has a sole that will not stick to the stirrup, and a heel to keep the child’s foot from going too far through the stirrup.  Both of these issues can contribute to a rider’s foot getting caught in the stirrup, which can become a serious issue should the child fall off.  We have loaner boots for kids to wear for their first couple of lessons, but once you have committed to riding on the long term, it is highly recommended that each rider have her own boots.  This allows riders to walk in, dressed and ready to ride for her lesson, and of course cuts down on some issues that can come up with multiple people sharing footwear.

Pants

Riding pants, including Kentucky Jodphurs and breeches, are also not just for looks but also impact a rider’s safety, health, comfort, and good form on the horse.  The inside leg patches help a rider keep her knee turned forward properly on the saddle, thus making her more secure and less likely to fall should her horse take a quick step or spook.  Those patches also help keep her knees from getting rubbed when she is riding, thus keeping her more comfortable.  Pants that do not fit appropriately can cause rubbed spots on knees which are quite painful. Dresses or skirts over their riding pants will not be allowed for several safety reasons.

Shirts/ Jackets

Shirts and jackets are primarily dictated by weather conditions- whatever will help keep the rider comfortable.  A closely fitted top will not get in the rider’s way or catch on equipment.  Shirts and jackets should not come below the rider’s hip, so that they are not under the seat and between the rider and the saddle.  Large and billowing items of clothing not only prevent the instructor from being able to see the rider’s form and thus instruct better, but can cause sounds and sights that can, upon occasion, spook a horse.

Gloves

Gloves are optional, but if a rider chooses to wear them, fitted gloves with some sort of grip are best.  Mittens are allowed only on children riding double (ie, ages 3-5).