A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Children’s Jodhpurs...and Riding Tights!

Whether your child is a beginner rider, has been attending riding lessons for a little while or is a keen Pony Club attendee, finding a suitable pair of children's jodhpurs can feel like a minefield. Choosing from all the difference styles can feel overwhelming and with kids growing fast you want to choose the right pair for them to enjoy wearing! So here we have created a simple guide about the various features to look out for, enabling you to choose comfortable, practical and long lasting riding tights / jodhpurs for your child. 

Why The Right Jodhpurs Matter 

Whilst it can be tempting to think that any stretchy pair of trousers will do, the right pair of jodhpurs helps both confidence and stability in the saddle whilst providing the ultimate comfort. For children especially, comfort is everything. If they’re distracted by itchy seams or tight waistbands, it can take the enjoyment out of riding completely. A proper pair of kids riding tights or jodhpurs are designed with grip, flexibility and durability. They allow for freedom of movement in the saddle, avoid the rubbing and chaffing of seams as well as preventing uncomfortable loose material.   

Ensuring The Right Fit 

When buying for kids it may be tempting to buy clothing slightly too big but when it comes to children's riding jodhpurs we would highly recommend not choosing an oversized pair. Children's riding tights should feel snug but not restrictive. If they are too large the excess material may cause issues such as bunching inside the boots and rubbing behind the knee, making a young rider highly uncomfortable. A comfortable secure and stretchy waistband is important and opt for a stretchy fabric to allow for growth. Many of our children's horse riding tights here at The Horse Diva are made from flexible, four way stretch fabrics which makes a great choice for young riders and the designs are popular too. 

Jodhpurs, Breeches or Riding Tights 

Jodhpurs, breeches, and riding tights all have slightly different features. Whilst it may simply come down to personal preference it might help to just outline their subtle differences. Jodhpurs are full length riding trousers that reach the ankle and are traditionally designed to be worn with short riding boots. They often have a more structured feel with a heavier weight material than riding tights and are a good choice for everyday riding. Riding tights are the most modern option and very popular with young riders as they come in a huge range of colours and styles. They are made from lightweight, highly stretchy performance fabric that feels similar to leggings but with added grip and reinforcement for riding. They are especially popular for comfort, flexibility, and active yard days. The final option is a pair of breeches, but these are more for competition wear - especially for kids. They are cut to finish above the ankle, are made from a more structured material and are usually worn with long riding boots, giving a more tailored, competition-style. 

Knee Patches or Full Seat 

Here at The Horse Diva you will see a lot of our children's jodhpurs and riding tights feature either knee patches or a full seat, often in a silicone to provide additional grip to the rider. As your young jockey becomes more experienced you will probably find she has a preference for one or the other. In total honesty either option works well for children. Knee patch grip is great for a beginner rider, where as the full seat can provide more stability when needed. Unless your child has a strong preference we wouldn't let this design feature be a deciding factor - both work well in the saddle! 

Features To Look Out For 

If you have a mini Horse Diva then she'll no doubt have a strong opinion on the colours and designs she likes for her riding jodhpurs! Just keep in mind the darker shades will hide the dirt more - save the light colours for the show ring only. Key features to look out for when choosing the perfect pair of kids riding legwear include

• A stretchy waistband 
• Phone pocket 
• Reinforced knees or sat 
• Machine washable 
• Easy care fabric 
• Durable stitching 
• Stretch material for comfort 
• Fun design a young rider will enjoy wearing! 

The right pair of jodhpurs or riding tights can make all the different to a child's comfort and confidence in the saddle. Whether they are just starting lessons or hanging out every weekend at Pony Club, comfortable children's equestrian clothing collection will help them enjoy every moment.