Hello
Sorry in advance for what is probably a really stupid question.  I'm taking up riding again after a break of about ten years, first lesson tonight.  I can't fit into any of my old stuff (not surprising as it's 20 years old) and am not sure what to wear.  I can borrow/hire a hat from the stables for now and I'm presuming jogging bottoms will do but what should I wear on my feet.  I have a couple of pairs of 'fashion' boots - low heeled but lace up, DM boots, trainers, walking boots/shoes, wellys and that's about it.  Would any of these (wellys preferably?) be OK if only for the first lesson -which presumably will not consist of much more than me getting on (with difficulty), the horse groaning, a little walk and me getting off? 
Thanks
Alex

I've seen folk wearing a variety of footwear, espescialy for the first few lessons at my local stables. I think you will find wellies a bit cumbersome, you may be better off with trainers, or walking boots, you could always phone the stables and ask what they suggest.

Have fun, I only took it up again about 2yrs ago, and be prepared to ache like h*ll for a couple of days afterwards :)

liberty :)

With joggers you might get saddle sore as all the friction . jods are v thick  , last summer i took all my freinds riding in the highlands we dident arrange it just thought off we go . they had joggers and they had friction burn :D as for me i wore some of those really thick lycra tights then joggers and i dident feel a thing ;) trainers or shoes with a tiny heel

I would not recommend trainers or similar; they do not have a heel and your foot may slip through the stirrup.  Wellies would be better as most models have a heel or your DMs if they have a heel.

I rode for years in wellies as I could not afford the boots :D

Have fun!

I have horses and I ride regularly, and I don't like riding boots so I wear my Berghaus hiker boots, with my jods and Chaps. They have enough of a heel to not be dangerous. Have fun and prepare to be hooked :) :)

http://www.robinsons-uk.com/robcl/home.asp is a good website for riding stuff keep it for when you need it :) you can get boots for abour £10 -£15

First lesson tonight doesn't leave much time :(  Something sleek fiting on the legs would be preferable to lots of loose fabric in jogging bottoms (wear a pair of tights underneath for extra warmth ;)) The loose fabric in joggers could well bunch up under/around your knee making it very uncomfortable and difficult to get a good seat.

On the feet a small heel is a MUST - wellies would be ok so long as they have a heel, and preferable to lace ups of any sort.

Above all - have fun and take several big deep breaths of horse and sent it to me when you've finished

Fran (missing her riding like mad, even after 10 years!)

Thank you all so much for your really helpful replies - I'm very disorganised and only thought about this last night :).  I am so looking forward to riding again and have been meaning to get around to it for ages, booking Northumbria finally did it for me - apparently you can gallop along the beaches and splash through the surf and I just can't wait.  I've got some quite thick very tight(!) gym type lycra 'things' (hardly used and purple :)) which will probably do instead of joggers and will take wellies and walking boots and see what they suggest.  I'll let you know how I get on - I'm getting quite excited!  Back to work for now I suppose!!
Best wishes
Alex
Will send breath of horse first class tomorrow Fran!

I really hope you enjoy yourself!!  I haven't ridden for almost 10 years either and I'm looking forward to getting back in the saddle again myself - I've just got to pass my driving test first so that I can actually get to a decent riding stables, there doesn't appear to be many in Milton Keynes now!!

My driving test is a week today and so fingers crossed I'll pass first time and then I'll be off to find some stables!!

You'll have a great time but prepare to be hooked :) I'm sure what you have will be fine, you probably won't do terribly much as its your first lesson. I prefer to ride in jeans (even though this is not recommended) but I do wear full chaps over them, I also use my Berghaus hiking boots (though I do have a pair of jodhpur boots lying around somewhere which I wear from time to time), check that the footwear you take has a heel, otherwise your feet could slip through the stirrups. Wear something comfortable but which isn't too baggy (as this will cause your legs to rub!) Good luck!

Just got back, picked up Ella from my mums on the way - she loves the smell of the 'big dogs'.  I Absolutely loved it - I've already booked again for next week but I think I'll have to slow down to every other week after that as it's not cheap!  I think you're right riding is totally addictive - I'd forgotton how it can take over. I was surprised how un-nervous I was although Fred was a very big horse.  I just walked round, changed rein tried to keep him straight and learn which leg to use with which hand and did a bit of trotting as well towards the end.  The instructor was very nice and only said 'not like that Alex' around twenty times:).  I wore leggings over tights and my wellies in the end as my walking boots don't have heels and was very comfortable so thanks for the advice.  Off to have a glass of wine now!!  Good luck with the driving test Charanda:)
Best wishes
Alex

Glass of wine??  I would have thought a good hot bath would be more in order <G>

Glad you enjoyed it - look forward to next weeks up date :)