English riding lessons.

[michickenwrangler]

Depends. I began riding in jeans and only when I began jumping and starting to get serious did I school in breeches. Even when I showed Class A and dressage, I usually schooled in jeans. Breeches or riding tights make it easier for instructor to see leg position and the suede/clarino on the knees make it easier to grip a leather saddle. Full seat breeches are mainly for dressage or gaited trail riders (people who need to keep their butt in the seat) and are actually a detriment to posting and jumping (too much friction).

A nice pair of riding tights or breeches can run from $20-50 dollars for nice brand names. Of course, some German and European made breeches can run upwards of $400, but only ruch people who like to show off get those. Even trainers I've met showing at Prix St. George and Sport Horse Nationals stick with more reasonable priced gear.

Breeches or jodhpurs may help to get her in the right mindset and again can help with her form but if you want to stick with jeans, then go right ahead. Breeches or tights can also help prevent saddle sores since they don't have an inner seam.

 

[patandchickens]

Enh, IMO if you are pretty sure you're going to sign her up for lessons, you are better off *waiting* on the canter thing. Aids for canter are particularly, uh, idiosyncratic to a particular trainer/barn/system/etc. No point in getting her doing something the instructor is just gonna correct her for

Whether she needs breeches is just dependant on the particular lesson program. Most don't require it for beginners, just well-fitting pants (not baggy) and boots (usually at least ankle-high) with a heel. I would suggest also staying away from very tight breeches or tight "tights" or even just tight jeans, as it interferes with the proper alignment of the muscles for a good seat and good aids.

She won't need a saddle for lesson-barn lessons - they are unlikely to let her use it, as yer better grade of instructors are *very protective* of their valuable lesson horses' backs, with the lesson horses having their own saddles that fit each of them well.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat