Green Bean Guide: equipment checklist to get started

Starting in endurance riding is exciting, but it can also bring a lot of questions. One of the biggest is about equipment: what you really need for your first ride and what, instead, can wait.

When people enter the endurance world as a Green Bean, they often make two opposite mistakes:

• buying too much, without a clear plan
  

• or underestimating key basics
  
  

This guide is here to help you start well, without wasting money and without last-minute guesswork.

WHO IS THE GREEN BEAN (AND WHY THEY NEED A CHECKLIST)

In endurance language, the Green Bean is the rider (and the horse) in their first competition experiences.

The goal is not the ranking, but to:

• gain experience
  

• understand how a ride works
  

• finish with a calm horse
  
  

And this is where the endurance mindset comes in:

To finish is to win.

The equipment checklist is for exactly this: remove what you don’t need.

THE BASIC RULE: LESS IS MORE

To start endurance, you don’t need the most expensive equipment, but equipment that is:

• functional
  

• reliable
  

• tested before the competition
  
  

Each item in the checklist answers one simple question:

“Does it help me finish the ride without problems?”

GREEN BEAN EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

1. A stable, well-fitted saddle

You don’t need a “champion” saddle, but it must:

• be stable
  

• not create pressure points
  

• allow freedom of movement
  
  

An unstable saddle is harmful for the horse.

2. Endurance saddle pad (essential)

The saddle pad is one of the most important items for a Green Bean.

It must:

• handle sweat well
  

• reduce rubbing
  

• keep its shape even when wet
  

• fit the horse’s back
  
  

It is one of the first smart investments for beginners.

3. Simple bridle and tack

For your first ride:

• a classic Biothane bridle (the EASY model is our best seller)
  

• no last-minute changes
  
  

Avoid “complicated” solutions if you have not already tested them in training.

4. Hoof protection: shoes or hoof boots

Every horse is different, but as a Green Bean:

• it is essential to have a tested solution
  

• do not try new things on ride day
  
  

Whether they are shoes or hoof boots:

• they must already be tested
  

• used over distances similar to the competition distance
  
  

5. Rider clothing: comfort first

The rider matters more than people think.

To start:

• breathable technical clothing
  

• comfortable, stretchy pants
  

• zero rubbing points
  
  

An uncomfortable rider also becomes a problem for the horse.

6. Helmet and safety

Obvious, but not guaranteed:

• approved helmet
  

• gloves if needed
  

• safety stirrups if you already use them

• body protector
  
  

Safety is never optional.

7. Essential accessories 

For your first ride, bring only what you need:

• sponges
  

• buckets

• hay/feed

• heart rate monitor and watch

• spare shoes

• spare clothes

• horse blanket

Avoid filling the trailer with useless things.

WHAT YOU DON’T NEED (FOR NOW)

Many Green Beans immediately buy:

• 160 km equipment
  

• accessories they never use
  

• “pro” solutions
  
  

Wanting to improve is not wrong, but you don’t need everything right away.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO TEST EVERYTHING BEFORE THE RIDE

Each item on the checklist must be:

• used in training
  

• washed
  

• put back on
  

• checked
  

GREEN BEAN AND THE ENDURANCE MINDSET

Your first ride is not to prove something to others.

It is to:

• learn
  

• observe
  

• understand what works
  
  

If you start with the right equipment, you:

• feel more relaxed
  

• make better decisions
  

• live the experience in a positive way
  
  

And that’s how you grow in endurance.

Starting endurance does not mean having everything.

It means having what you need, chosen with care.

This checklist is not a shopping list, but a practical guide to start on the right foot.