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Our mission is to teach horsemanship, not just riding; by striving for excellence in the care and training
of the horse, and practicing safety in the proper handling and riding techniques of the horse. All of this should be
done in a way that the horse understands what we are asking of him. This is accomplished by using the tried and true
EQUI-VENTURE standards of DEDICATION, SAFETY, DISCIPLINE, EDUCATION and DETERMINATION.
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A pony is a childhood dream, a horse is an
adulthood treasure.
~ Rebecca Carrol
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RIDING ATTIRE
Just like every other sport or recreational activity, there are equipment and attire recommendations and requirements to keep
the participant safe and comfortable. Some sports or clubs even have dress codes
or uniforms. There are products for those that are on a budget, as well as elaborate
and expensive lines. The equestrian sport is no different.
Safety is a top priority at this stable! We are VERY
STRICT when it comes to safe and correct riding attire. We have included pictures to help new riders see the pieces of
required lesson/schooling attire as well as some pictures of unacceptable attire. There are some pictures of proper
show attire to compare the articles of clothing. At the bottom of this page are links to local tack stores and some
of our favorite catalogs. A printable list link is also available at the bottom of this page.
| ACCEPTABLE ENGLISH SCHOOLING/LESSON ATTIRE |
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| ACCEPTABLE WESTERN SCHOOLING/LESSON ATTIRE |
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| UNACCEPTABLE RIDING ATTIRE!!!!!!! |
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| You will NOT ride or will NOT be allowed near horses if you come to our stable dressed like this! |
The following is a list of acceptable and mandatory lesson attire:
1. For English Riders: riding breeches or jodhpurs ONLY!
(Any color is fine). Jeans damage our English saddles! Those English
students showing up in jeans will not ride. *A new beginner student may ride
in sweat pants for the first three lessons only.
| English Schooling Breeches |
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| We prefer neutral colors, however any color is acceptable. |
| English Schooling Jodhpurs for Children |
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| Again any color is fine although we prefer neutral colors. |
For Western Riders: jeans are preferred, but English riding breeches or
jodhpurs are acceptable.
| Western Ridng Jeans |
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| These types are made for RIDING & stretch, are comfortable w/out bulky seams, & fit over boots. |
| Regular Jeans |
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| These are not made for riding and may be uncomfortable, too tight or too loose, and bulky. |
NOTE: NO SHORTS!!!!! All students must wear long
pants or they will not ride. Sweat pants and the like are too "slippery" and should not be worn aftger the first English
lesson.
2. English or Western riding/paddock boots or a hard, smooth soled, enclosed toe shoe
with a 1-and-a-half inch heel.
ACTUAL RIDING BOOTS OR PADDOCK BOOTS ARE REQUIRED BY THE THIRD RIDING LESSON. English riders that choose to wear paddock boots instead of tall boots, will also need
a pair of half-chaps
or if the student is a child wearing jodhpurs, jodhpur straps and garters.
| Paddock Boots |
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| Black or brown of any brand are acceptable. They come in tie and zipper styles. |
| Suede Schooling Half Chaps |
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| They are needed for those wearing paddock boots. They also come in more expensive real leather. |
| Tall Rubber Riding Boots |
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| These are very affordable & practical for riding as well as for mucking & walking through mud! |
| English Riding Boots |
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| Synthethic leather riding boots, like these, are affordable & look like the real thing! |
| English Riding Boots |
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| Made of real leather, these boots are very comfortable & can last for many, many years! |
| Western Riding Boot |
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| These are made for RIDING. The heel is not angled or too high & they offer support for riders. |
NOTE: The
following are NOT allowed and the student will not ride or may not be allowed to be around
horses: Sandals, open-toed shoes, sneakers, crocs, dress boots or treaded work boot types are DANGEROUS. Sandals,
open-toed shoes, crocs and sneakers will not help protect your foot if a horse should step on you. These types of shoes
WILL allow your foot to slip through a stirrup, causing a dragging hazard should you take a fall. Western
"dress boots" (or other type of dress boots), are not designed to be worn in a stable or for riding. They do not offer
adequate protection and support for your feet. Also, these types of Western and dress boots have a higher sloped arch
and larger, sometimes angled, heel. These are not acceptable riding boots as they cause the rider's heel to come up
due to the heel height and arch angle. It is almost impossible for the rider to have the correct and safe foot position
in the stirrup!
| UNACCEPTABLE |
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| Any type of sandal |
| UNACCEPTABLE |
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| Open-toed shoes of any kind |
| UNACCEPTABLE |
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| Tennis shoes or sneakers |
| UNACCEPTABLE |
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| Dress boots of any kind |
| WORK TYPE BOOTS: UNSAFE for RIDING |
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| Not acceptable for riding due to the tread, but are fine for stable chores. |
3. riding shirt /blouse or polo/western type shirt that is tucked in, as we want to check your
posture and position. Over sized shirts that are not tucked in are DANGEROUS as they can cause a rider
to get hooked on tack. Halter tops, tube tops, half tops and shirts that are offensive are not allowed.
Spaghetti strap tops and swim suit tops that are worn alone are not allowed.
| ACCEPTABLE SHIRT for LESSONS |
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| Tee Shirts |
| ACCEPTABLE for SCHOOLING or LESSONS |
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| Polo type shirts |
| ACCEPTABLE for SCHOOLING or LESSONS |
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| Turtleneck or other type of long sleeved shirt that can be tucked in. |
| NOT SAFE!!!!!! |
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| Unless they are tucked in, oversized shirts pose a hazard for getting caught on saddles. |
| UNACCEPTABLE & UNPROFESSIONAL as Riding Attire |
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| Swim tops if worn alone, will not be allowed! (Unless if attending a water activity at the farm). |
| UNACCEPTABLE & UNPROFESSIONAL as Riding Attire |
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| Halter tops worn alone will not be allowed. |
| UNACCEPTABLE & UNPROFESSIONAL as Riding Attire |
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| If worn alone, spaghetti string tops will not be allowed. |
| UNACCEPTABLE & UNPROFESSIONAL as Riding Attire |
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| Halter tops will not be allowed. |
4. hair pulled back without clips or barrettes that could cause injury in the event of a fall (even under a riding
helmet)
| Hair under a Helmet |
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| Hair needs to be pulled back and also kept out of a rider's eyes. |
| Pony Tail |
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| Long hair needs to be pulled back. |
| French Braid |
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| Long hair can also be secured in braids. |
| Hair in a Bandana |
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| Another way to keep hair out of your face when wearing a helmet. |
| Show Bows |
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| These work well to keep hair back. |
5. no large earrings or excessive jewelry that can cause entanglement
| UNSAFE EARRINGS |
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| These types may get entangled on tack and cause an injury. |
| EXCESSIVE or LARGE JEWELRY |
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| Creates a risk of entanglement. |
6. no chewing gum or candy (we don't want you to accidently choke)
| UNSAFE |
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| No gum while riding! |
| UNSAFE while Riding |
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| Save the pepermint candies for your horse. |
7. schooling chaps are optional (worn over long pants), but half chaps are required for those English
students that wear paddock boots (to protect the rider’s calves from getting bruised and pinched)
| SCHOOLING CHAPS |
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| These are optional and can be worn for both English & Western disciplines. |
| HALF CHAPS |
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| Are required for those English riders wearing paddock boots. |
8. riding gloves are optional
| RIDING GLOVES |
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| Gloves made for riding will help riders hold onto the reins easier. |
9. THE MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENT: the student's own ASTM/SEI
approved and properly secured riding helmet. It is absolutely
DANGEROUS TO BE ON ANY HORSE, NO MATTER HOW ACCOMPLISHED YOU ARE, WITHOUT AN EQUESTRIAN HELMET!!!!!! REQUIRED BY THE
THIRD RIDING LESSON.
NOTE: ALL students, even adults, are required to wear such
a helmet whenever around our horses or when mounted.
| EQUESTRIAN HELMETS |
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| ASTM / PC approved helmets for HORSEBACK RIDING are required!!!! |
| ASTM APPROVED EQUESTRIAN HELMET |
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| Western style by Troxel Helmets |
| COWBOY HAT |
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| These are for dress and are NOT approved for riding. |
NOTE: Please take a moment
to view this short video by the CHA on proper helmet fitting. Just click on the link below.
10. the student's own equestrian vest (preferably Pony Club approved) for any jumping lesson REQUIRED
BY THE THIRD JUMPING LESSON
NOTE: ALL students, even adults, are required to wear such a vest whenever jumping.
| ASTM or PONY CLUB Approved Jumping Vest |
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| ASTM or PONY CLUB Approved Jumping Vest |
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11. For winter riding, dressing in layers in preferred over wearing a heavy winter coat.
| COLD WEATHER RIDING |
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| There are clothes and other items just for cold weather riding that keep riders warm. |
12. And of course, protect yourself
from year round sun damage with a good cap, sunglasses and sun screen.
| SUN PROTECTION |
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| Caps and Visors |
| SUN PROTECTION |
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| Good sunglasses that are lightweight, scratch resistant and shatter proof. |
| SUN PROTECTION |
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| Always wear sunscreen, year round! |
If there is any problem with
a student getting required attire, please contact us. There may be a loaner available or possibly a used item for sale.
Some other students may be willing to share an expense on some item(s) if the same size fits each student and if the item(s)
is used at different times.
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