Fedda produces clothing for horse riding with materials and fabrics of the highest quality, ethically made in Italy. Discover the quality handmade riding outfit, to feel free and comfortable to ride!
In this post we talk about clothing for riding a horse and how to dress comfortably and correctly when riding a horse. In general, riding clothing must be comfortable and not cumbersome, well-fitting but not so tight as to limit movement. The clothes must make you feel at ease: this is very important because the horse, as an extremely sensitive being, is influenced by your state of mind; riding in the saddle with clothing that does not make you feel good will not make you enjoy the experience or follow the lesson carefully.
Quality riding outfit, here's how to choose clothing for horse riding
When choosing clothing for horse riding, several factors must be taken into consideration that can influence the choice of one kind of riding clothing or the other. The origin, the design, the materials, the fabrics, the elasticity, the resistance, the grip on the saddle in the case of riding breeches are the elements that can make the difference between top-quality riding products and poor quality products that not worth buying.
To be more aware of what you choose and understand the quality of the product you are about to buy, it could be useful to ask yourself these simple preliminary questions.
Where is he from? Wondering about the origin of the garment we buy is very important in many respects. By origin we mean where the garment you are buying is born (and where it is assembled). Not everyone knows that more or less 90% of the clothing on the market is produced abroad to reduce production costs and be able to sell the same product at a much lower price! This phenomenon is called production relocation and is the cause of many problems that we have in our area, such as the drop in work, the excessive exploitation of the workforce especially from uncontrolled immigration, pollution at record levels ... it is therefore important to prefer local products or in any case national, where more restrictive regulations are in force and which guarantee a higher quality of the clothing you wear for riding.
Are there seams in stressed areas? The structure of the model is very important. First of all, no seam should ever go through the middle of the leg: simple and space-saving models are better, a good rule of thumb for all equestrian disciplines, from English to American riding - and here at Fedda we have the right product for you!
What material is it made of? The material is in direct contact with the skin and is therefore essential, it must be breathable, comfortable and must allow you to move well. Mobility is extremely important on horseback and therefore also the elasticity of the fabric. Not least is the origin of the material, the non-EEC products have less restrictive regulations on the chemical products used in the production processes of the fabrics and the latter can therefore be harmful and cause annoying irritations or allergies.
Will it hold up over time? Even if cotton is the healthiest choice for the skin, the latter will never have the performance of trousers in technical fabric. Low-quality cotton trousers get holes and wear out very quickly and after a few washes they tend to harden, technical fabrics on the other hand - if treated correctly after purchase - remain beautiful over time!
Grip… but what is it? The grip is a silicone print that acts as a stabilizer in the saddle. If you do show jumping or dressage, the grip can be your faithful helper but be careful, if you do American or endurance riding, the grip - especially if it is of good quality and really "gripping" like ours - could give you problems with soreness!
First time on horseback? Here are some tips on how to dress to go horse riding for the first time
To face a simple horse ride, if you don't practice horse riding yet, it is sufficient to dress comfortably by following these simple rules: wear a helmet, wear long, close-fitting trousers (preferably without seams on the inside of the thigh), wear closed shoes trekking or high-ankle sports, even simple rubber boots can be fine, and finally a sweater or a sweatshirt depending on the weather. Instead, trousers or any other garment that inhibits movement is not an option and should definitely be discarded. Also, you shouldn't wear anything that could get in the way of you and the horse. So it's not always necessary to have specific clothing for horse riding in the wardrobe, as long as it is a sporadic and occasional activity. However, those who practice horse riding on a sporting and professional level know well that the choice of riding outfit becomes essential not only to feel more comfortable and free to ride, but also because "technical" riding clothing (specially designed for riding), it is strong, durable and especially suitable for use.
We at Fedda design and produce quality riding clothing, handcrafted and eco-sustainable, perfect for riding on any occasion. Since birth, Fedda has been against the delocalization of production, so here you will find only products made in Italy, indeed, made in Bergamo, as we like to say! All our garments are produced with fabrics selected for eco-sustainability of the production process, resistance, elasticity, durability, to give you only healthy and beautiful products.
Our classic riding breeches and our jeans for western riding have an iconic structure recognizable even without the logo in evidence, designed on the saddle for professional and fashionable riding!
In our Atelier we carefully produce each garment and it is also possible to customize each Fedda model for you! But speaking of models… what kind of clothing do you need to ride a horse?
Outfit for horse riding, but what do you need?
The riding outfit is made up of some protective clothing and accessories, essential for every rider and rider: the helmet, the protective gilet, the riding trousers, the boots.
Here at Fedda we started by producing what we believe must be the most performing garment of all, i.e. the one that is directly in contact with the horse's ribs and which must therefore be as perfect as possible. We focused on the lower body, starting with the creation of three iconic models: Classic Riding Breeches with Grip, perfect for English riding; Monta Western jeans, designed for American riding (but also beautiful to wear in everyday life); Riding Leggings with Grip, a functional hybrid garment for all disciplines.
If your goal is to compete and aim to make horse riding your job as well as your hobby, clothing is essential! Good trousers can make the difference in the saddle, because if they are comfortable and designed for competition, they won't get in your way and will allow you to concentrate on your performance perfectly. Riding a horse without good clothing means not working well: if the thought is directed towards a nuisance rather than the work being carried out, disaster is guaranteed! Always be sure of what you buy and rely on professionals like Fedda and companies like ours that also have environmental and production ethics, which unfortunately is anything but obvious these days…
Discover our trousers for riding: English Riding Pants with Grip, Riding Leggings with Grip, American Riding Jeans
In addition to being original products, Fedda garments are structured and designed specifically for horse riding. Their design is not only about beauty but their patented structure has been studied in the saddle by riders for riders. Try them and you will be pleasantly surprised.
Ladies' English riding breeches with grip
The characteristics of the Fedda classic trousers will make your eyes shine because they are one of a kind!
- The design built with curved cuts helps the structure of the trousers to be more versatile and adapt better to your movements, the durability of this garment also benefits because in this way the risk of breakage of the seams is minimized.
- For the classic trousers, the technical fabric is breathable, compact and 4-way stretch. Furthermore, our fabrics are healthy: never forget that your garments are in contact with the skin, which is a very important and sensitive organ to irritation. These are details that should never be forgotten! We are always on the lookout for materials to improve our products, which is why Fedda only uses fabrics that are healthy for your health and do not harm the planet.
- Each part of the garment is carefully studied and selected to be of high quality! The thread that joins each part of these pants is also of a higher quality for more durable garments.
- The silicone grip of the Fedda trousers is stabilizing and braking, a real work tool, if you do classic disciplines this grip will be a fantastic ally. Let's not forget that being in the shape of the Fedda logo it gives just that little bit extra to an already breathtaking design.
American riding jeans for women and men
If you practice western disciplines such as barrel racing, reining, pole bending or others you cannot miss our fantastic jeans, also with our iconic design (strictly registered) and without stitching on the inside leg, a real peculiarity for this branch of equestrianism . Here are some features that make our jeans absolutely unique.
- They are an eco-sustainable and healthy product thanks to the GOTS certified organic cotton denim used and the ethical manufacturing in Italy, in our laboratory in Bergamo.
- The beautiful design is made for athletes! Fedda garments in general are not just clothing but are designed to be a true work tool. They are comfortable and functional jeans and their iconic construction moves with you and minimizes tearing at the seams.
- Speaking of seams…you will really feel the difference not having any inside the leg! We have eliminated it because a riding jeans for Fedda should not have seams in critical points such as the inside of the leg. The central seam of classic jeans is in direct contact with the inside leg, which is the most sensitive part for those who practice horse riding; for this reason Fedda jeans are innovative, you will not find another garment with all these characteristics and above all you can only ride with jeans and not necessarily with chaps to avoid the bruising caused by the seams: less is more, especially in the saddle!
- Our jeans are comfortable and versatile! A garment for horse riding must above all be comfortable and our jeans are at the highest levels, because every part of it is studied down to the smallest detail. For these characteristics of versatility and because it is so beautiful and unique you will fall in love with it, so much so that you want to use it in everyday life.
Women's summer and winter riding leggings with grip
Our leggings are absolutely the garment that can really be used for all equestrian disciplines and more ... they are really good for all sports. They are available in both summer and winter versions. They are a garment that is well suited to all situations, elasticised, comfortable and ecological, which will accompany you in your work sessions whatever discipline you do because it is designed as a hybrid garment. Here are some of its features:
- The fabric is 100% ecological, breathable and light in the summer version, warm and thermal in the winter version, made in microfleece which retains body heat.
- Like all of our garments, it has a unique and recognizable design designed for horse riding. We've added an iconic gem that you can have fun with: the back bow, interchangeable with bows of other colors (but if it's "too much" you can also slip it off and on without any problem).
- We have designed them with a side pocket, positioned in a convenient and safe place and with a zip closure so you don't risk losing anything!
- They are ethically produced strictly in Bergamo, Italy. Despite being a complicated choice in these times we are proud of it! Thanks to this, we take care of every single part of each of our garments and we can be even closer to you in giving you all our expertise to choose the right garment for your needs.
- The leggings are made of a fabric resistant to abrasion and chafing, which is essential in horse riding!
- The branded silicone grip on the inside of the leg is positioned to help you stay stable in the saddle and is truly an excellent ally in your work. But be careful, this option is not suitable for all disciplines, so we have given the possibility to buy them even without.
Essential riding leggings for women and men
The Fedda Essential leggings is one of a kind because with its essential style you will have all the characteristics of the leggings in a smooth and simple garment. It is designed for all female riders who want maximum comfort and performance in a product with a beautiful and linear design, with a cut that slims the leg and makes it elegant and well wrapped up! If you are a true professional or always aim for top performance, this garment is for you!
These are the salient features of the garment:
- It is available in three different colours, white for competitions (or as underpants to wear under your competition outfit), blue for training, elegant and sober, without forgetting our total black, which looks good in any situation.
- Made WITHOUT POCKET, WITHOUT BOW and WITHOUT GRIP, designed specifically to be worn under trousers or for all those sports in which it is necessary to have leggings as smooth as possible.
- We all know that true stability in the saddle is not given by grip but by set-up. THE ABSENCE OF GRIP is the characteristic of this product for all those who are not lovers of the instrument and also for those who need as much freedom as possible! Furthermore, its absence allows you to comfortably slip the leggings under another item of clothing, for example our classic trousers, and to have maximum freedom of movement, which is very important for every rider.
- With or without GAITER. The gaiter is an elastic insert connected to the leggings that passes under the sole of the foot. It is fine and comfortable and does not cause any discomfort either in the saddle or during the hours spent in the riding school on foot and is very useful for keeping the leggings in the position in which they are worn. To avoid soreness and to have the leggings always in the same position and facilitate the fit as double trousers. If you have these needs, choose the gaiter option.
- Our technical fabric is available in two types, to make you feel wonderful all year round! In the summer version, the garment is super light and breathable, perfect for tackling physical exercise even during the hottest summer; in the winter version, the microfleece of the inner lining exploits the heat of your body to help you overcome even the coldest winter, guaranteeing hours and hours of warmth in the saddle or on the ground.
- We have sought a perfect fit like a second skin; our leggings enhance every type of physique and fit very well like a second skin so much that you will forget you are wearing it.
Do you want to know another peculiarity of our leggings? It is also designed to be worn under classic trousers, to give you further protection from the cold, avoiding the annoying inside leg seam of ordinary thermal leggings. If you are afraid of being too hot we have two different degrees of heaviness to satisfy all tastes! We produce useful garments to accompany you and your friend at any time and season.
What is the difference between normal trousers and technical riding trousers?
Durability, fit, reinforcements, grip… basically the difference between an ordinary pair of breeches and a pair of riding breeches is mainly the structure! The breeches are designed to stay in the saddle so they have no seam inside the leg or at least they have moved it. They generally have a sort of opening or different fit at the bottom to facilitate the insertion of the foot, especially if made with ordinary fabrics (it is not said, however, that it is a comfortable solution). Generally they are very adherent (second skin) in order not to create encumbrances but there are also knickerbockers, i.e. wider above, defined as vintage because they are used above all by the cavalry in times of war.
They may have reinforcements on the inside leg, especially in the knee area, especially in the cotton models (pay attention to the quality of the cotton itself!) to limit wear. These reinforcements are generally made with the same fabric as the trousers and sewn at the chosen point but they can also be made of more resistant materials such as Kevlar up to the silicone grip, generally more used on hi-tech fabrics.
As for the height of the waist, there is a wide choice on the market, the best in our opinion is the high waist. The reasons are various, the most important being the freedom of the hips, so as to be able to perfectly follow the movement of the horse in the saddle. Even the aesthetics are thus guaranteed, the shirts will always be in their place tucked into the trousers, without unnecessary discomfort in the saddle.
How to dress for riding during races and competitions
Western Riding Jeans for Men
185,00 €Women's Classic Breeches 2020
228,00 € Bow
7,95 €Essential Women's Riding Leggings
126,00 €Essential Man Riding Leggings
126,00 €Wool band and neck warmer
29,00 € - 49,00 € Whatever equestrian sport you do, here you can find a small guide that will always be useful to you. Horse riding is the sport where elegance must be combined with comfort and practicality, these points are very important and we will see why in the next paragraphs.
At Fedda you can find all the products you need for your competitions and you can also fully customize your kit. Click here to find out how!
Dressage riding outfit
Dressage is one of the most rigorous disciplines on uniform, colors and accessories and is closely linked to tradition. The main characteristics for a dressage uniform are:
- Jacket: it takes up the classic three-button jacket with a masculine cut but the tailcoat with tails on the back is very much in vogue. Even today in the dessage the colors to be used in the competition are exclusively black or blue in international competitions and it is the collar (the lapel of the jacket) that indicates the nation of belonging.
- Shirts: in this discipline we tend to use shirts that have strictly white collars and cuffs and it is essential that no colored part comes out of the jacket. Initially the only color used for the shirt was total white but for a couple of years you can also see blouses in pastel tones, obviously always with rigorously white cuffs and collars.
- Trousers: the first choice is always ice white but cream, beige and light corn yellow are also used.
- plastron: it is a type of knot tie made and wider than the traditional men's tie, it is used by men and women without distinction, generally in use in white (if you see some color of the shirt underneath, the plastron will help you camouflage it ).
- Gloves: they are an important part of the uniform and are in fact mandatory. However, the requested color is strictly pure white.
- Boots or ankle boots with gaiters: essential to mount well on horseback, it is good to have a pair of comfortable boots or ankle boots of the right weight to have excellent sensitivity. It will be your choice to opt for ankle boots with spats or high and complete boots, the important thing is that they are black.
Cross country riding outfit
Equestrian cross country is a sport similar to show jumping but the course is generally longer and with fixed obstacles that could be found in nature, such as artificial lakes, trunks, ditches and so on. The uniform for participating in cross country competitions consists of:
- Jacket and/or jacket: being a less rigorous discipline than show jumping and dressage, the classic three-button jacket is not mandatory and it is not unusual to see riders with sweatshirts, jackets or technical long-sleeved shirts or polo shirts depending on the season.
- Gloves: in the competitions of this discipline they can be of any colour, at the discretion of the rider.
- Protective helmet: essential in all equestrian sports, especially in cross country, where horse and rider falls on fixed obstacles are the order of the day.
- The protective bib it is mandatory! Again with regard to the frequency of falls, the protective "shell" is an extra measure of safety and also protects the back and ribcage from shocks.
- Trousers: strictly solid color but there are no color preferences.
- Boots or ankle boots with gaiters: essential to mount well on horseback, it is good to have a pair of comfortable boots or ankle boots of the right weight to have excellent sensitivity. It will be your choice to opt for ankle boots with spats or high and complete boots, the important thing is that they are black.
Horse riding outfit for show jumping competitions
Show jumping is an equestrian discipline where horse and rider perform a series of jumps on obstacles made with barriers which, if touched, fall, heights ranging from 40 to 160 cm and can even exceed 2 meters in height in power competitions. To have a correct uniform you need:
- Shirt with normal or mandarin collar: however, the collar and cuffs must be strictly white.
- White trousers or beige except for military and law enforcement, whose colors differ according to the body they belong to.
- Protective cap black, blue, white or grey.
- White tie for the knights, white plastron and hair net for the amazons (mandatory only in the judged categories, the so-called "equitation"). To whip without the plastron, the Mandarin collar is preferred.
- Gloves in competition they are generally white or black but they are optional in this discipline and there are no rules on colours.
- Hair gathered in a net or in any case tied up: this is a good practice - if not essential - in all disciplines.
- Boots or ankle boots with gaiters: essential to mount well on horseback, it is good to have a pair of comfortable boots or ankle boots of the right weight to have excellent sensitivity. It will be your choice to opt for ankle boots with spats or high and complete boots, the important thing is that they are black.
- The jacket in use in this type of sport is the classic men's cut with 3 buttons in black, blue and red: these were the national directives of the federation but nowadays you can see jackets of practically all colors, from green to pink to mustard yellow.
Speaking of jackets, this theme deserves further study. Let's see some specifications to understand when to wear the jacket in your competitions.
The uniform for classic disciplines such as show jumping is also determined by the organizing committee: summer uniforms are authorized between May and September, i.e. the jacket is replaced by a strictly white polo shirt or in the colors of the club to which it belongs.
However, the use of the shirt alone or of the complete jacket and shirt is also permitted (for those who feel the cold even in summer or during particular weather conditions).
In case of bad weather and outdoor competition, the use of waterproof jackets may be authorized instead of the jacket.
In the period from October to April, the jacket is once again mandatory. The colors can now be many, blue, black, red, green, brown, electric blue, gray, burgundy ... or for the lower categories it is possible to wear a sweatshirt with the team logo but the basic color must be blue or black.
Riding outfit for western riding competitions
Western competition clothing is much freer than in classical disciplines, we can find many styles that can be combined, from the most elegant and sober to much more refined and elaborate styles. The main features are:
- The hat: very important for western riding, it is one of the garments that is most personalized. Hats are made with a high, rounded crown and a wide, flat brim, generally feature a sweatband on the inside to stabilize the fit on the head, and also usually have a small decorative band on the outside of the crown.
- Western boots: there are various types: high, low, simple, coloured, plain, embroidered… they can be made in the way you prefer and there are really many craftsmen who offer customization and made-to-measure services.
- Jeans: generally simple 5-pocket trousers with a bootcut cut that covers the boot (mandatory by regulation during reining competitions). In the jeans currently in use there are also models with embroidered and customizable back pockets, such as the Fedda jeans… the huge difference between all the other jeans and ours lies in the absence of the seam inside the leg. We are proudly the only ones to have put jeans like this on the market!
- Chaps: they were once an essential accessory on long horseback rides across the prairies, to provide extra protection over clothing and repel the rain. Fastened at the waist, they are used to protect jeans from wear, thus keeping them clean and dry and more resistant. Nowadays they are mainly used in shows of all western equestrian disciplines as a decorative and distinctive element.
- western shirt: you can find them of all types and in all styles, in a multitude of types of fabric. In our opinion, the most beautiful and classic are the cotton ones. Currently there are many artisans all over the world who create true works of art with applications of elements in leather, rhinestones and pearls of all shapes and sizes, in short ... whatever your style, you will find the right shirt for you!
Endurance riding outfit
In endurance riding there is no real uniform, the key word is not to have impediments and seams that can hinder riding on horseback. Being an equestrian sport that requires resistance over long distances from both the horse and the rider, its "uniform" is very different from the more classic disciplines, let's go and see it:
- Shoes: well yes, trekking shoes are mainly used in endurance and not boots or gaiters, impractical for this type of sport especially when dealing with routes that also include sections not in the saddle (for example for competitions with mountain climbs ).
- T-shirt/sweatshirt: in this sport the important thing is to be comfortable and elegance is not necessary, but with Fedda the combo is guaranteed. It is definitely more useful to choose clothing well based on the season and the place where the journey will take place rather than based on the combination of colors! A t-shirt and a simple sweatshirt will do just fine, they'll be covered up with the race bib anyway.
- Trousers: these are essential and you need to test them well before competing! In our opinion there should be no seam inside the leg, because moderating friction is essential when riding for long hours. Choose good quality garments made with breathable materials and you will be on the safe side. And if you suffer particularly from soreness, our advice is to wear two trousers, one with a second skin fit underneath and one with a looser fit above.
- The socks: they must be compressive or in any case very close-fitting, they will help the trousers not move and will act a bit as a gaiter - but with a lighter and more breathable consistency. However, it is a garment that is subject to individual feeling and there is no precise rule for all riders.
- Helmet: better if light and breathable. it is very useful for your safety. There are many types on the market, you will surely find the one that's right for you!
