The Complete Handbook of Riding Apparel & Accessories
A practical field reference for professionals, retailers, and riders who need to specify, source, fit, and maintain equestrian clothing and gear with confidence
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The complete professional reference for specifying, fitting, and maintaining equestrian apparel and accessories — from boots to breeches to protective vests.
About this book
This is the reference manual that should come with every riding boot, saddle pad, and helmet — but never does. Written for professionals and serious enthusiasts, The Complete Handbook of Riding Apparel & Accessories cuts through the marketing to explain how equestrian apparel is actually designed, manufactured, and meant to be used. It details the construction of a competition boot versus a field boot, the differences in tree materials in saddle pads, and the specific fibers and weaves that make a performance show shirt breathe. It doesn't tell you what to buy; it gives you the knowledge to know what you are buying.
Beyond the gear itself, this book is a practical guide to the entire lifecycle of riding apparel — from correct fitting techniques and break-in protocols to daily maintenance, storage, and repair. It covers how to troubleshoot common problems like rubbing girths, sweat-stained fleece, and worn stirrup leathers. For business readers, it explores concrete opportunities in retail, custom fitting services, private-label manufacturing, and the rental market, along with the volumes and margins that make these ventures viable.
The final sections look ahead to the materials innovations and regulatory shifts reshaping the industry, and directory-style resources for standards, certification, and professional development. Backed by grounded, detailed explanation and structured for quick reference, this is the one book that belongs on the shelf of every professional who equips riders, and every serious rider who equips themselves.
Reader Reviews
Ryan Robinson
★★★★★This is a genuinely useful reference, and I've already used it to talk customers out of buying the wrong saddle pad. The section on materials (wool vs. foam vs. gel) is exactly the kind of plain-talking breakdown I couldn't find anywhere else. I dock one star only because the fit diagrams are described in text rather than shown, which makes some of the boot measurement sections harder to follow than they need to be. Otherwise, a solid addition to the barn bookshelf.
Deborah Lopez
★★★★★I've been riding for 25 years and thought I knew most of what there was to know about my gear. This book proved me wrong in the best way. The chapter on helmet standards and the real science behind impact testing is worth the price alone, and the care section saved my expensive Hermès boots from my own bad habits. It's written like a knowledgeable trainer is explaining things to you over a cup of coffee, not like a lecture. I've already bought copies for my working students.