What Should Children Wear for Horse Riding? A Beginner’s Guide for Parents

You're never too old to learn to ride but if you’re child has just discovered her love for riding then you might be wondering where to start with kitting her out with suitable children's equestrian clothing. With so much available on the market, and riding lessons themselves being expensive, let alone the outfit, we thought we would put together a beginner’s guide to help you prioritise what to choose for your young rider.

Why Bother with Proper Riding Clothing?

Whilst you might think your little jockey wants all the gear just to look like her equestrian idol, having the appropriate clothing and equipment for riding actually carries a lot more importance than you might first think.

Priorities First – Safety Gear for Equestrians

The most important factor when riding is to have the right safety equipment. Whilst it goes without saying an up to date with regulations riding hat is a must have. A riding school will usually have a collection of hats for beginner riders, but if your little one is committed to her new hobby then a well fitted hat is the best investment you can make. Be sure to visit somewhere where staff are fully trained to fit hats and try a variety of styles to get the best fit. Next up is a good fitting body protector. Again this is something a riding school can initially assist with. When you book a lesson be sure to double check what they can provide and arrive a little early to get them fitted before the lesson starts.

The Best Clothing for Riding Lessons

Alongside safety equipment, the right riding clothing can also help ensure a child is as safe as possible in the saddle. Children’s riding tights / jodhpurs often come with a silicone grip seat and extra reinforcements / secure grips at the knees. It’s really important that a child is comfortable in the saddle as the wrong clothing can cause rubbing or slipping in the saddle. Any rubbing seams can cause a young (or old!) jockey to sit badly in the saddle so some comfortable legwear would be at the top of my list when kitting out a young rider. In addition holding the reins, especially in wet conditions, can cause rubbing and potentially blisters on the hands. As they learn to ride a little one will use the reins as some level of security (this will lesson in time) so a good pair of kids riding gloves will ensure greater comfort when riding. As well as grippy palms, riding gloves also have reinforcements on the reins fingers which makes them much more suitable to wear rather than regular gloves designed purely for warmth. A pair of long socks can also be handy to keep feet comfortable and help with any potential rubbing from boots or stirrup leathers.

What is the Best Choice of Footwear for Riding? 

The right footwear is also essential to feel secure and safe in the saddle. You can choose from short or long riding boots. They must have a small heel to stop the boot slipping through the stirrup. Shorter boots can be teamed with chaps that help to protect the leg from the stirrup leather which may rub, where as long boots do not require anything extra. Make sure the length of the boot is correct on the leg. When trying one thing to look out for is the boot rubbing on the back of the knee when the leg is bent into the position the child will sit in the saddle. If you’re trying on at a tack shop see if there is a saddle with stirrups set up so your child can sit in her riding position and make sure everything is comfy.

Summer Verses Winter Equestrian Gear? 

If you’re little one is mad keen on horses then she better get used to riding in all weathers. Any horse owner will know that wet weather gear is essential for survival during the winter months. During winter a wet weather jacket is essential!! Look for something that is waterproof rather than water resistant as if it downpours mid-way through a lesson then there’s not a lot you can do about it. Avoid anything too bulky that will restrict movement in the saddle – layers are best. No matter what the season, a riding school will insist that your arms are covered during your lessons. When the weather is warmer you might want to invest in something like a children’s base layer, often made of lightweight technical fabric. Even when it’s cold these make a comfortable base to put a body protector over and then more layers on top.

Clothing to Avoid When Riding

If you’re little one is just starting out on her riding adventure we totally understand that you don’t want to invest in all the gear at once. However we would strongly advise steering clear from these items!

• Jeans – seams can rub and become very painful very quickly.
• Trainers – these are unsafe in the stirrups
• Leggings – leggings without any grip will be slippery in the saddle and your little one needs as much security as possible when starting out
• Bulky / loose clothing – this can make it difficult to get comfortable and anything too loose is at risk of catching on something and snagging.

We hope this guide helps understand in some way how best to kit out your young rider. Focus on the essentials first – a good pair of jodhpurs or riding tights, safe footwear and of course a properly fitted riding hat. Once their confidence grows then the rest of the outfit can go from there. Lets face it you’ll never be without ideas for birthdays and Christmas if your little one becomes an avid rider she'll want all the children's riding clothing she can dream of!