The nature of stable work dictates that practical clothing must be worn. Safety must always be given prime consideration and whilst cost may be a priority for many people it may be false economy to buy cheap footwear or riding wear.

Footwear

For stable duties off the horse a good strong pair of shoes, boots or Wellingtons must be chosen in preference to light gym shoes or shoes with big heels, not only because there is always a danger of the groom being trodden on but footing must be secure to give adequate purchase when handling a horse. For riding only correct footwear such as jodhpur boots, rubber or leather long boots should be used. On no account should shoes or Wellingtons be worn, for no matter how competent you are in the saddle your foot can easily slip through the stirrup and endanger your safety. Footwear is soon affected by the urine in the stable and will rot away if it is not cared for by washing and polishing regularly.

Breeches/jodhpurs

There is a wide choice of breeches and jodhpurs available today and in far more practical colors than the conventional cream or white which soon get dirty in the stable yard. A pair of navy blue, brown or black jodhpurs will look better for longer but a pair of cream breeches or jodhpurs should still be kept for competitions etc.

Coats/jackets

An anorak for everyday use will be an essential part of your wardrobe. It will get a lot of wear and tear and will therefore need to be of good quality if it is to last for any length of time. When buying an anorak be sure it is warm enough because you will have to ride in it in all weathers. To save your anorak and protect other clothes a smock can be particularly useful. Alternatively a boiler-/jump-suit type of overall will protect you when doing the dirtier jobs such as clipping. It may be necessary to own a hacking jacket for wearing at shows and while they are normally expensive it is often possible to find good secondhand ones in riding wear and saddlery shops. Waterproof coats and leggings are particularly useful and here again false economy should be avoided. Quality waxed and thornproof materials are preferred to nylon, which is easily torn and tends to cause sweating underneath. The traditional cream riding mackintosh is made of superior quality material but its price does put it out of reach for many.

Hats

For the purposes of riding a hard hat or crash cap must always be worn. This may become compulsory by law in the course of time because riding has more casualties with head injuries than any other sport. This is one area where expense should not be spared at the risk of one's life. Chin straps should always be fastened for riding since the hat can easily fall off if it is not attached. Around the yard it is recommended that long hair should be tied back so that it does not hang over the face. It is not only unhygienic but also a safety risk- the hair could get caught up in grooming or clipping machinery. Headscarves look tidy and are suitable headwear.
There is no reason why, given the range of outdoor and riding clothing available today, the groom should allow him/herself to become dirty and untidy at work. An untidy groom reflects his work and environment and is an embarrassment to his colleagues. Although it is acknowledged that the work can be dirty the groom should allow for this and wear protective clothing, keep him/herself clean and change often. For the purposes of competition and whilst attending to horses away from home the groom should keep a spare outfit of breeches or jodhpurs, trousers, shirts, shoes, and jacket or coat because there is nothing more unsightly than a scruffy groom.