Summer Riding Essentials

Beat the heat and enjoy your rides!

Riding in the summer presents a new set of challenges. Between the blazing sun and pesky bugs, you’ll need to make sure you and your horse are dressed for the weather. Riders will need sun protection, breathable clothes, and light colors, whereas horses will need help keeping flies away. Once you acquire the appropriate attire, you can enjoy riding all summer long!

Summer Riding Must-Haves

A visor for your helmet can make a huge difference! Sunglasses can work as an alternative, though may be cumbersome with your helmet. You’ll be so much more comfortable without the sun blinding you. The EquiVisor Cotton Riding Helmet Visor is a great choice! It comes in multiple colors and can even be worn without your helmet. The Velcro back attachment promises a secure fit.
Breathable materials are so important on hot days! Even a short ride can leave you sweaty and hot. The CoolTek Short Sleeve Shirt offers a unique fabric that wicks moisture away and dries quickly. You’ll feel cool and fresh your entire ride. When looking for shirts, make sure to choose light colors.
You can also beat the heat with the proper riding pants. The fabric should be lightweight and moisture-wicking. A good option is the TuffRider® Ladies Ventilated Schooling Tights. They have a low-rise stretch waistband and grippy knee patches. The sides have contrast striping with ventilated fabric.
It can be so tempting to wear sandals or sneakers at the barn, but safety first! You need to protect your feet in and out of the saddle. If you’re an on-the-go kind of person then select a boot that can work around the stable and in the saddle. You won’t have to change or swap out shoes. Ariat® Ladies Barnyard Side Zip Boot may be the perfect solution for you. They have a durable outsole and extended sidewall for extra coverage. The zipper makes them easy to take on and off. Don’t worry, they fit comfortably in stirrups!
Hydration is so important for both you and your horse. Makesure you’re offering your horse fresh drinking water before and after each ride. As for yourself, a reusable water bottle is essential. Personally, I like stainless steel, as they keep the water cooler. You can find them almost everywhere. This Horses Sports Water Bottle is so cute though!
Another summer must-have is sunscreen. When you spend long hours outside, you’re bound to get a nasty sunburn if you don’t protect yourself. I like one that has at least Spf 50+. Blue Lizard is constantly rated as a top sunscreen each year! It’s sweat and water-resistant. In addition, it has no parabens and is fragrance-free. Depending on your horse’s skin color, you may also need to provide them with some sunscreen protection. Light colors like cremello and certain pintos have pink noses that burn easily.
The last thing you want to deal with on a ride is bugs attacking your horse. It can make them moody and miserable! Gear up with a fly mask that goes over your horse’s bridle. One like the Cashel Quiet Ride Fly Mask keeps biting insects away from their ears and eyes. The soft mesh material allows them to see out easily. Alternatively, you could use a fly bonnet. Those also help to keep your horse comfortable and focused on the ride.
In addition to a mask or bonnet, spraying your horse with fly spray is very helpful. Make sure to get their chest, belly, and legs. A biting horse fly can cause some horses to buck and even bolt. There are a ton of options on the market, though many have had success with Pyranha Wipe N’ Spray Fly Protection Horse Spray.