Gear & Buying Guides

Choosing the right gear shouldn't be overwhelming. Our buying guides break down exactly what to look for — by discipline, by horse, by budget and by brand — so you can shop with confidence. From first bridle to competition helmet, we cover it all for Australian riders.

Honest, unbiased reviewsWe review gear we actually stock and stand behind — no paid placements, no filler recommendations.
Australian contextAll guides consider local availability, climate suitability and AUD pricing.
Updated for 2026Our guides are regularly reviewed to reflect new products, updated safety standards and rider feedback.
Shop the recommendationsEvery guide links directly to the products at iRide EQ — in stock, fast delivery, Australia-wide.
38 articles Written by the iRide EQ teamBrowse All Gear
Gear & Buying Guides — iRide EQ

Latest Articles

Horse supplement tubs and containers in an Australian stable buying guide
Oct 06, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Top 10 Horse Supplements Australia for 2026-2027

The Australian supplement market has exploded in recent years, and sorting through what your horse actually needs versus...

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Best horse riding helmets Australia — premium black equestrian helmet carousel:helmets
Oct 03, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Best Horse Riding Helmets Australia: A Complete Buying Guide

Quick answer: The best horse riding helmet for Australian riders balances certified safety standards, precise fit, and ventilation...

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Young rider wearing kids jodhpurs and helmet on a pony — top 10 kids riding clothes for 2026-2027 carousel-heading:Top-10-Kids-Riding-Clothes
Oct 01, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Top 10 Kids Riding Clothes for 2026-2027

Outfitting a young rider isn't about buying the most expensive gear. It's about finding kids riding clothes that...

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Horse wearing a figure-8 grackle noseband bridle bridle accessories
Sep 30, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Horse Nosebands Explained: Which Type Your Horse Actually Needs

Quick answer: The six main noseband types are the plain cavesson, flash, drop, figure-8 (grackle), kineton, and hackamore....

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Horse wearing black tendon boots and bell boots for show jumping carousel-heading:Horse-Boots-for-Every-Discipline
Sep 29, 2026· James Alcott

Horse Boots Explained: Brushing, Tendon and Bell Boots

Quick answer: Horse boots protect your horse's legs from impact injuries during riding, turnout and competition. The four...

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Decorated show browband with crystal and pearl on a dark leather bridle carousel-heading:Browbands
Sep 25, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Best Browbands for Australian Riders - Style, Fit and Competition Rules

Quick answer: The best browbands for Australian riders balance style, fit, and competition rules. For dressage, FEI rules...

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Half pads and gel pads for horses - Australian buyer guide carousel-heading:Half-Pads-For-Your-Horse
Sep 23, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Half Pads and Gel Pads Explained: Which Does Your Horse Need?

Quick answer: Half pads sit between your saddle and your regular saddle pad to absorb shock, relieve pressure...

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Horse Pilot X-Balance 2.0 Hunter women's riding breeches best riding breeches for women
Sep 21, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Best Women's Riding Breeches Australia 2026

Every rider I know has a drawer of breeches they regret buying. The pair that bagged at the...

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Equestrian riding crop and dressage whip on a wooden surface carousel-heading:Riding-Whips-And-Crops
Sep 20, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Best Riding Whips and Crops for Australian Riders

Quick answer: A dressage whip is longer (100-120cm) with a flexible shaft and tassel, designed to reinforce leg...

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Anatomical contoured horse girth showing shaped design for shoulder freedom anatomical girth
Sep 19, 2026· James Alcott

Anatomical Girths Guide: Shoulder Freedom and Pressure Relief for Performance Horses

Quick answer: An anatomical girth is a shaped girth with a curved ("squiggly") profile that lets the centre...

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Equestrian woman wearing sterling silver snaffle bit bracelet holding horse reins carousel-heading:Best-Equestrian-Jewellery-Picks
Sep 16, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Best Equestrian Jewellery: Snaffle Bracelets, Horseshoe Rings and Stock Pins

Equestrian jewellery sits at a funny intersection — it's part tradition, part statement piece, and part "I spend...

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Male equestrian rider in full competition attire at an Australian show ground carousel:mens
Sep 14, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Men's Equestrian Style Guide: High-Performance Riding Clothes for Male Riders

Quick answer: For men's horse riding clothes in Australia, you need three things done right — breeches with...

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Best Spurs and Straps for Australian Riders carousel-heading:Best-Spurs-For-Australian-Riders
Sep 10, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Best Spurs and Straps for Australian Riders

Quick answer: The best horse spurs for Australian riders are the Freejump Spur'One range — carbon fibre bodies...

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Jumping bridles Australia - French leather Jump'In jumping bridle Australian SEO
Sep 08, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Jumping Bridles Australia - How to Choose the Right One

Quick answer: The best show jumping bridle for Australian riders balances fit, rule compliance, and your horse's comfort....

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Jump'In horse bits buying guide — snaffle, leverage and specialty bits for Australian riders Australia
Sep 06, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Jump'In Horse Bits: The Buying Guide for Australian Riders

French brand Jump'In has been making bits in Fiennes, northern France since 1990 — and with 300+ references...

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Australian rider wearing an equestrian airbag safety vest beside a horse airbag vest
Aug 29, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Equestrian Airbag Vests: Freejump X'Air Safe vs Horse Pilot Airbag Comparison

Quick answer: The Horse Pilot Twist'Air ($950) is a lightweight mechanical airbag that inflates in under 60 milliseconds...

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Horse wearing a correctly fitted breastplate for Australian riding carousel-heading:Breastplates-and-Martingales-for-Australian-Riders
Aug 26, 2026· James Alcott

Best Breastplates and Martingales for Australian Riders

There is a good reason breastplates keep turning up in Australian tack rooms: a saddle that creeps backwards...

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Child rider wearing kids equestrian clothing and riding helmet in Australia Australian equestrian
Aug 24, 2026· James Alcott

Kids Equestrian Clothing - What Your Child Actually Needs

Quick answer: Most children starting horse riding need a correctly fitted riding helmet, secure boots with a small...

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Jumping horse wearing a fitted jumping saddle pad in Australia carousel-heading:Jumping-Saddle-Pads-Australia
Aug 22, 2026· James Alcott

Jumping Saddle Pads Australia - Which Ones Actually Work?

Quick answer: The jumping saddle pad that works best is the one that fits your saddle and horse,...

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Australian rider wearing a correctly fitted riding helmet beside a horse Australia
Aug 17, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Best Riding Helmets Under $300 Australia 2026

Quick answer: You can buy a decent riding helmet in Australia for under $300, but the price tag...

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Bay horse wearing a navy ear bonnet at an Australian equestrian event Australian equestrian
Aug 11, 2026· Sarah Mitchell

Ear Bonnets Australia: Style, Fit & Function Guide

Quick answer: The best ear bonnet for an Australian horse should fit smoothly around the ears, stay secure...

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