Good, Better and Best Gear for Kid
We all started horseback riding lessons knowing nothing with parents who needed to learn the necessities in a hurry. We’ve talked to our young riders and their parents and put together the perfect list of essentials that your child will need at their first horseback riding lesson.
We’ve organized the products so it will be easy to shop through and pick what will be best. Below you’ll find the essential horse riding apparel and tack your child will need to get started. We’ve broken down everything from helmets to breeches to boots into “good, better, and best” to help you decide what is right for your child.
Whether you’re looking to outfit your child for their first lesson or they’re simply outgrowing their riding gear, find everything you need below.
Horse Riding Helmets for Kids
The most essential piece of equipment your child will need for riding lessons is their own helmet. Some riding schools offer the use of school-owned helmets, and this is great for a starter lesson to make sure your child is going to stick with it. However, after that, we think it’s money well invested to get your child their own helmet instead of using one provided by and used by other students at the school. A helmet that fits your child properly. A helmet that properly fits your child's head is the best investment you can make to ensure their safety.
Good
We love the Ovation Deluxe Schooler helmet for kids just starting out because of its versatile fit. The variety of sizes allows this helmet to fit toddlers to adults, and the budget-friendly price makes it a great starter helmet.
Ovation Deluxe Schooler Helmet
Better
The One K helmets are great for young riders committed to riding and planning to do some low-level horse showing. This helmet offers the classic look and style expected at a competition.
One K Defender Black Matte JR Helmet
Best
We love the Samshield line of helmets for their rigorous testing procedures, combined with the ‘shell and liner’ system. The shell and liner system offers three exterior shells, which are then paired with a variety of different liner sizes to create a customized fit. This system also has the ability to change to a bigger liner when your child grows, getting more value out of your purchase.
Samshield 2.0 Miss Shield Shadowmatt Helmet
How to Measure Your Kid's Head for a Helmet
Wearing a helmet is an important safety precaution for horse riding because the purpose of a helmet is to protect your head in the case of an accident. Head trauma is a leading cause of fatality in horseback riding accidents. Wearing a horse riding helmet, one that fits you properly, significantly decreases your chances of a head injury
Good
We love these budget friendly paddock boots from Ovation because the synthetic Vega™ Leather can take whatever the kids dish out. The premium Perforated calfskin ankle and tongue are lined with a Cambrelle® wicking material that pulls sweat and dampness away from your childs foot.
Ovation Child's Quantum Zip Paddock Boot
Better
The Ariat Scout paddock boot,is the ideal boot for kids in weekly lessons or seriously commited to riding. These boots hold up well around the barn, and offer Ariat's signature 'wiggle room' foot beds to get an extra half size before they are outgrown!
Ariat Kid's Scout Zip Paddock Boot
Best
Ariat Devon IV Children’s Paddock Boot. Although a bit more expensive, these boots offer better quality design and construction. In addition, Ariat has a built-in extra footbed for kids growing feet. This footbed is removable and allows for an extra half size, allowing you to get more use out of these boots before your child outgrows them. *Currently awaiting more stock from Ariat.
Ariat Kid's Devon IV Paddock Boot
Good
Ponies worldwide are rejoicing, now their kids can carry treats! With the new addition of two side pockets, it is one more thing kids will love about these ridiculously soft, stretchy tights. Adjustable elastic drawstring helps them stretch across seasons.
Kerrits Kids Performance Knee Patch Pocket Tight Sale
Better
The Ariat® Tri Factor Breech is expertly engineered to keep you riding in comfort and with confidence. Supportive performance features include compressive fabrication infused with cooling technology, silicone grip where you need it, and a sleek fit.
Ariat Youth Tri Factor Grip Knee Patch Breech
Best
Kids love the classic fit and comfortable fabric, paired with beautiful tailoring and a seam-friendly style that puts the seams on the outside of the pants, away from the inside of the rider's leg. The Tailored Sportsman Trophy Hunter is our most popular selling riding breeches for girls.
Tailored Sportsman Girls Front Zip Trophy Hunter Breeches
Kids Jodhpurs
Most children start out in jodhpurs or paddock boots, so they are most comfortable in a pair of jodhpurs. The paddock boots are worn with socks, the jodphurs come along the exterior of the paddock boot and fasten with an elastic strap in front of the heel to hold the pants down while riding.
Good
Ponies worldwide are rejoicing, now their kids can carry treats! With the new addition of two side pockets, it is one more thing kids will love about these ridiculously soft, stretchy tights. Adjustable elastic drawstring helps them stretch across seasons.
Kerrits Kids Performance Knee Patch Pocket Tight Sale
Best
We love the Tailored Sportsman Childs Jodphurs, these jods are well made and designed for the young rider who is actively competing in the pony ring and rising to the challenges of the sport.
Tailored Sportsman Child's Front Zip Trophy Hunter Jodhpurs
Good
The Tuff Rider Taylor tee shirt offers a tailored neat look without breaking the budget. This V-neck tee shirt comes in several colors to suit your youngster’s style.
TuffRider Child's Taylor Short Sleeve Tee
Better
Ariat’s Youth Sunstopper has been updated styling and exciting new colors. Same great performance features but now with a raglan-cut sleeve for extra comfort and breathable tech mesh Paneling in all the places you need it most.
Ariat Youth Sunstopper 2.0 1/4 Zip Baselayer - Sale
Best
Young riders who spend a lot of time outdoors at the barn should be wearing one of the many UPF rated sun shirts we carry to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful rays. The Tailored Sportsman line of sun shirts offer sizes from double extra small in their line of sun shirts which is a perfect fit for most children, up through ladies extra large. The Icefil cooling fabric designed with a ¼ zip, mock collar, and vented sleeves make this lightweight shirt perfect for warm-weather riding.
Tailored Sportsman Long Sleeve IceFil Sun Shirts
Kids English Saddles
Buying a saddle for your child is an investment in your child's development as a rider and should not be taken lightly. Not every saddle is designed for the young rider, a saddle that is too big will leave your child struggling to find their balance, leaving their leg and upper body unstable. A saddle that is too small may correct the rider's leg but the balance is still an issue, and the leg is often in the wrong position pushing the rider backward or forwards in the saddle. Here are three saddles that we recommend for kids.
Good
We love the Wintec all purpose english saddle for a great option as a starter saddle for kids. We like this saddle for young riders just starting out because the shorter flap and a semi deep seat, allow for the rider to naturally find the right position. Making the struggle to find balance, and stability easier as the rider learns the basic fundamentals or riding. This budget-friendly saddle needs very little care as it is designed with synthetic materials that make clean up, care and storage a breeze, just hose and go!
Wintec 250 All Purpose Saddle
Better
For the novice level rider showing some dedication to furthering their riding education, the Henri De Rivel Club Close Contact saddle is both affordable and well designed for the child rider. This leather saddle also features an appropriate flap for a childs leg, the seat is not as deep, encouraging the rider to develop confidence and independence.
HDR Club Close Contact Saddle
Best
Our best-selling and most popular child’s saddle is the Pessoa pony saddle. This model is designed to put the rider in the correct position from the get-go with very little break-in period. This is our best-selling saddle for youngsters, trainers agree this saddle helps kids excel quicker due to its thoughtful design.
Pessoa Pony Saddle
How to Measure for an English Saddle
Your saddle is the connection between you and your horse. An improperly-fitting saddle can make your ride uncomfortable and can cause sores to develop on your horse. When selecting a saddle, you want to choose one that is suitable to your riding discipline and is a good fit for both you and your horse. An English saddle is a bit different from Western saddles, so it’s important to know the proper way to measure and fit one. This guide will provide you with the information you need to measure an English saddle for an optimal riding position for comfort and effectiveness.
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