Last Updated: November 2, 2026
Quick Summary
Budget friendly horse riding accessories in the UK start with a certified hat, then comfortable trousers and practical footwear. Spend on protection and save on clothing, with essentials priced from £14.40 to £59.99 and free UK postage. A workable beginner kit can be assembled for under £150.
- Buy a new hat certified to PAS 015 or an equivalent recognised standard.
- The Rhinegold Dial-To-Fit Riding Hat costs £44.99 with a rear dial-fit system.
- Shires Wessex Children's Jodhpurs start at £14.40 in sizes 2 to 8.
- Buy two pairs of everyday trousers before base layers and competition wear.
- Chaps and gaiters should be bought after your boots to match the calf fit.
Table of Contents
- Budget-Friendly Horse Riding Accessories: Where Your Money Goes Furthest
- Horse Riding Essentials for Beginners: The Shortlist Under £60
- Horse Riding Safety Equipment and Second-Hand Equestrian Equipment: What to Buy New
- Horse Riding Gloves, Grooming and Tack: The Cheap Wins
- Horse Riding Clothing: Jodhpurs, Breeches and Riding Tights Compared
- Riding Footwear, Chaps and Gaiters: What to Prioritise
- Seasonal and Weather-Specific Accessories Worth Buying
- Horse Tack and Bridles: Where Budget Buying Is Safe
- Frequently Asked Questions
Budget-Friendly Horse Riding Accessories: Where Your Money Goes Furthest
Horse riding is expensive, and the kit list feels endless before you've even sat on a horse. Building a practical riding wardrobe without overspending comes down to one principle: spend on protection, save on clothing.
The shortlist below covers the essentials a beginner actually needs, priced from £14.40 to £59.99, all with free UK postage. We stock products from more than 15 trusted brands.
| Item | Price | Why It Earns a Place |
|---|---|---|
| Shires Wessex Children's Jodhpurs | £14.40 | Cheapest route into proper riding trousers |
| Rhinegold Dial-To-Fit Hat | £44.99 | PAS 015 certified, dial fit |
| Rydale Short Welly Boot | £59.99 | Year-round yard footwear |
Horse Riding Essentials for Beginners: The Shortlist Under £60
Beginner riders need three things first: something safe for their head, something comfortable to ride in, and something practical for the yard. Everything here sits under £60, most well under.
For trousers, the Saxon Warm Up Zip Front Jodhpurs at £19.50 are a sensible starting point: 95% cotton and 5% elastane, with a self-fabric knee patch and zip fly. Children grow fast, so the Shires Wessex Children's Jodhpurs start at £14.40 in sizes 2 to 8, and the Gallop Children's Silicone Knee Riding Tights at £17.99 add a silicone polka dot knee grip and deep thigh pockets. For footwear, the Rydale Lisset Short Welly Boot at £59.99 covers muddier days.
Horse Riding Safety Equipment and Second-Hand Equestrian Equipment: What to Buy New
Horse riding safety equipment is the one area where second-hand shopping stops being sensible. A used hat carries an unknown history: it may have been dropped, stored badly or involved in a fall, and the damage is often invisible.
The Rhinegold Dial-To-Fit Riding Hat at £44.99 is certified to PAS 015:2011 with the British Kitemark, with a rear dial-fit system and removable, washable liner. Check the label on any hat before you buy it.
Horse Riding Gloves, Grooming and Tack: The Cheap Wins
Gloves, grooming kit and tack are where budget shopping pays off with no safety trade-off.
The Shires ARMA Logo Headcollar & Lead Rope at £22.50 is fully adjustable on both sides and at the nose, with a clip throatlash and cushioned trims. Under the saddle, the Gallop Quilted GP Pad at £23.60 has a contoured spine and elastic D-ring fasteners. For gloves, look for a snug fit at the fingertips.
Horse Riding Clothing: Jodhpurs, Breeches and Riding Tights Compared
Riding clothing is where budgets stretch furthest, because entry-level fabric technology is genuinely good. Jodhpurs are the traditional beginner choice, breeches suit taller boots, and riding tights are the everyday favourite for comfort.
The Dublin Everyday Ladies Riding Tights at £44.99 use a full seat gel print for stability, a mid-rise wide waistband and side pockets. For children, the Dublin Everyday Girls Riding Tights at £33.99 offer the same full seat grip and four-way stretch in four colours.
Rhinegold Dial-To-Fit Horse Riding Hat, Helmet, PAS 015, Kitemark →
| Style | Best For | Typical Price Here |
|---|---|---|
| Jodhpurs | Beginners, children, everyday riding | £14.40 to £19.50 |
| Riding tights | Regular riders wanting grip and pockets | £17.99 to £44.99 |
| Breeches | Tall boots and competition wear | Not stocked in this range |
Base layers and competition wear can wait until you are riding regularly. Buy two pairs of everyday trousers first.
Riding Footwear, Chaps and Gaiters: What to Prioritise
Footwear decides how comfortable your first year of riding is. Short jodhpur boots are the standard beginner choice because they work with half chaps and are easy to walk in around the yard.
The Rydale Lisset Short Welly Boot at £59.99 is designed for muddy conditions, with a warm neoprene lining and thick rubber sole with tread. Chaps and gaiters turn short boots into something close to a tall boot for riding, at far less than long leather boots. Buy them after your boots so you can match the fit at the calf.
Seasonal and Weather-Specific Accessories Worth Buying
Weather changes what you need far more than fashion does. A bright hat silk adds visibility on dull days, and a spare set of warmer trousers makes winter riding bearable.
High-visibility gear is a sensible safety purchase for roadwork and hacking, as a tabard or vest makes riders easier to see (Hi-vis). For winter, prioritise warm, dry feet and hands over everything else. For summer, a lighter hat silk and breathable cotton jodhpurs keep you comfortable.
Horse Tack and Bridles: Where Budget Buying Is Safe
Tack is where a careful budget approach works well, provided you inspect stitching and leather quality. Headcollars, lead ropes, saddle pads and numnahs are all sensible places to save.
The Gallop Quilted GP Pad at £23.60 is a good example: contoured and available in three sizes, with matching items such as ear veils and over-reach boots if you want a coordinated look. Bridles need more care. Check stitching and leather condition before buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What horse riding accessories do beginners need first?
Start with a certified riding hat, a pair of stretch jodhpurs or riding tights, and short yard boots. A hat silk cover, gloves and a grooming kit follow once you are riding regularly. Budget-friendly horse riding accessories do not have to mean compromise: the Rhinegold Dial-To-Fit Hat is £44.99 and certified to PAS 015:2011, Saxon jodhpurs start at £19.50, and Shires Wessex children's jodhpurs are £14.40. Buy the safety items new and save on the rest.
What safety equipment should I never buy just because it is cheap?
Never buy a riding hat on price alone. Check for the British Kitemark and PAS 015:2011 marking, and confirm the hat has not been dropped or stored badly. A second-hand hat with an unknown history is not a saving. Body protectors and any hat with a cracked shell or worn harness should also be bought new. Everything else, from jodhpurs to saddle pads, can safely be bought at the lower end of the market.
How can I save money on horse riding accessories?
Set a budget per category, buy clothing and yard items at entry level, and put your money into certified safety gear. Free delivery removes a hidden cost: Dufinkle offers free UK postage on every order with no minimum spend, so a £14.40 pair of children's jodhpurs costs exactly that. Check sizes against the brand's size chart before ordering, and choose colours and styles that stay in stock rather than limited runs.
Building a riding kit on a budget is not about buying the cheapest thing on every page. It is about spending where safety depends on it and saving where comfort and fit are all that matter. Start with a certified hat, add one good pair of trousers, and build outward as you ride more.
Dufinkle stocks affordable equestrian accessories from over 15 trusted brands, with free UK postage on every order and no minimum spend. Browse the full range and get kitted out for your first season in the saddle.
