Name labels for riding equipment: helmet, brushes, and grooming box
The easiest way to label riding equipment is with self-adhesive name labels: on the care label of riding breeches, jackets and safety vests, and directly on the plastic of grooming brushes, grooming boxes and buckets. Label the riding helmet on the inside or on the helmet bag, following the manufacturer's advice. Identify the saddle and bridle by their serial numbers and photos rather than with a label.
Here you can see where the label goes on each item at the stable, what should be written on it and when a name label is not the right solution.
That's why things disappear at the stable
At the riding school, the helmets are on the same shelf, the brushes are in shared boxes and the jackets hang on the same hooks. If you share a horse, you also share a halter, blankets and a grooming box.
Most things look the same. Look in an equestrian shop: most riding helmets are black, and many riders use the same brands and models. A pair of black riding gloves or a black helmet cannot be distinguished from a neighbor's without a name. The items that most often change owners are precisely the small, similar ones: gloves, helmets, brushes, leg reflectors and buckets.
Labeling riding equipment: where the label should go
Lappu only makes self-adhesive name labels. They attach to textiles via the care label, and directly to plastic, metal, glass and leather. Here is how to use them on what you have at the stable.
| Item | Where the label goes | Format | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riding helmet | Inside, on the hard shell high up, or on the helmet bag | Small or regular | Never on the removable inner lining. Read the helmet manual first. |
| Riding breeches, riding tights | The care label at the waist | Regular | Not on the fabric itself; it stretches too much. |
| Riding jacket, coat, fleece | The care label at the neck or in the side seam | Regular | Withstands washing up to 60°C and tumble drying. |
| Safety vest | Care label | Regular | If the safety vest has no care label, choose a hard plastic part. |
| Riding gloves | The small care label in the cuff | Small | Label both gloves. |
| Riding boots, jodhpur boots | Inside of the shaft, high up | Regular | Not where you apply leather conditioner: grease and oil are not included in the specifications. |
| Grooming brushes | The back or plastic handle | Large or standard | Wood is not included in the specifications; see below. |
| Grooming box, grooming bag | The lid or short side of the box; the care label inside the bag | Large | Place the label where it is visible when the box is on the shelf. |
| Bucket, feed scoop | Outside, high up under the edge | Large | Wipe away dust and moisture before attaching. |
| Blankets, saddle pads | Care label | Regular | Ask what temperature the blanket wash uses: above 60°C, the label will not hold. |
| Polo wraps, boots | Hard plastic shell on the outside | Regular | Not on soft neoprene; it stretches too much. |
| Reflectors | The smooth plastic part or the buckle | Small or regular | Write the phone number; reflective stickers come off. |
The riding helmet: label it without taking chances
The riding helmet is the most expensive item that is often mixed up. But it is also a safety product, so think carefully before you stick anything on it. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute writes that the adhesive in a decal could theoretically affect the helmet's plastic, and that a decal on the outside could make the helmet slide less effectively during a fall. They recommend placing the ID label on the inside, high up, and asking whether the adhesive is suitable for the helmet.
- Read the helmet manual. If the manufacturer advises against decals, label the helmet bag instead.
- Not on the inner lining. Many riding helmets have a removable, washable inner lining. If the lining comes loose, the name comes with it, not the helmet.
- Label the bag too. Place the label on the helmet bag's care label if it has one; otherwise, place it on a plastic part. The bag stays at the stable when the helmet is on your head.
Brushes, grooming box, and bucket
Grooming brushes are the items most likely to end up in the wrong box. Plastic handles and plastic brush backs can be labeled directly. Many brushes have a varnished wooden back, and wood is not among the materials our labels are made for. In that case, it is safer to choose brushes with a plastic back, or to label the grooming box clearly and keep the brushes in it.
Label the grooming box and bucket with large name labels. They are visible from a distance when the boxes are lined up on the shelf. The stable environment is dusty and often damp, so wipe the surface first and let it dry.
Riding clothes: trousers, jacket, vest, and gloves
Label riding clothes like other clothes: place the label on the care label, never on the fabric, which stretches. Jackets, fleeces, and safety vests almost always have a care label at the back of the neck or in the side seam. Find more information about the best place for the label in the guide where to put the name label.
Riding gloves have a very small care label. Small name labels are a better fit there. Riding socks are trickier: labels do not adhere well to socks. Read how to handle socks, mittens, and small items.
What should be written on the label?
The child's first name is enough most of the time. But at the stable, two lines are useful:
- Name and phone number on items that may be lost outdoors: reflectors, gloves, and the helmet bag. The person who finds the item can call.
- Last name or initials if siblings ride at the same riding school. Then one set is enough for both.
- The horse's name on items that belong to the horse rather than the rider, if you share them with a part-loan rider. All labels in a set have the same text, so in that case, order a separate set for the horse.
How to attach the label in the stable
The label adheres best to a clean, dry surface at room temperature. Therefore, label items at home in the kitchen, not in a cold stable.
- Wipe the surface. Remove dust, hair, and moisture from the care label or plastic.
- Let the item reach room temperature. A bucket or helmet that has been in a cold stable should be allowed to warm up and dry first.
- Press the label on firmly. Press hard for approximately ten seconds, especially at the corners.
- Wait one day. The adhesive needs approximately 24 hours. Do not wash or use the item in the stable before then.
Calculation example: a riding school student
A calculation example for a child who rides at a riding school and has their own equipment:
| Items | Number of labels | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 2 pairs of riding breeches, 1 riding jacket, 1 fleece, 1 safety vest, 2 boots, inside of the helmet | 8 | Regular |
| 2 riding gloves | 2 | Small |
| Grooming box, 4 brushes with plastic backs, helmet bag, water bottle | 7 | Large |
A set of regular name labels has 124 labels and costs from SEK 139, approximately SEK 1.12 per label. Large name labels cost SEK 139 for 30 labels, approximately SEK 4.63 per label. After the stable, you therefore have 116 regular labels left for the rest of the wardrobe, and more than 20 large ones for a school bag and sports bag.
Name label or theft protection?
A name label prevents mix-ups and helps lost items find their way home. It does not protect against theft: a label can be removed. For expensive equipment such as a saddle and bridle, something else applies.
- Write down the saddle's serial number and keep it at home, not in the stable.
- Photograph saddles, bridles, and blankets and keep the receipts. Then it is easier to show what belongs to you if something goes missing.
Rule of thumb: label what belongs to you and what looks like everyone else's. Do not label riding school helmets and brushes or anything else you borrow. And choose something other than a self-adhesive label for socks, soft neoprene, wood, and blankets washed at temperatures above 60°C: the label will not hold, or it is not made for that purpose. For washing at 90°C, an iron-on label is better.
Mud, rain, and horse sweat are not included in the specification, which applies to washing at up to 60°C. Therefore, check the labels on buckets and helmet bags every season. Read more about what name labels can withstand.
Frequently asked questions
How do you label a riding helmet?
Read the helmet manual first. Then put the name label on the inside of the hard shell, high up, and never on the removable inner lining. If the manufacturer advises against decals, label the helmet bag instead.
Can wooden grooming brushes be labeled?
Wood is not among the materials our name labels are made for. Label brushes with plastic handles or backs directly, and keep wooden brushes in a labeled grooming box.
Should you label the saddle?
A name label on the saddle is rarely needed. The saddle has a serial number: write it down, keep it at home, and take photos of the saddle. This helps more if it goes missing than a label that can be removed.
Is it enough to write with a marker pen?
A marker pen works on some items, but the text fades in the wash and becomes difficult to read on dark care labels. A printed name label is easier to see and can include a phone number on a second line.
What are rider badges?
Rider badges have nothing to do with name labeling. They are the Swedish Equestrian Federation's training badges: eight badges showing what a rider can do, from badge 1 (white) to gold. Rider badge 4 is the yellow badge. The tests are arranged by associations affiliated with the federation; read more on the Swedish Equestrian Federation's page about rider badges.
I buy used horse equipment. What should I do about labeling?
Put your own label on the care label or plastic when the item arrives, and remove the previous owner's if it is still attached. If you sell something yourself, remove your label before sending it on.