With the holidays around the corner, it’s a perfect time to get your young rider set up for success in their riding lessons! Below is a guide for holiday shopping as well as a list of inexpensive recommendations for beginner riders who are starting from the ground up. Feel free to contact me with any questions, of course – I am happy to help!
- Helmet
By far, this is the most important recommendation I can offer. A good horseback riding helmet is the best investment you can make for your child’s safety, and I recommend wearing one any time they are on a horse/pony (even if it’s not one of mine!) We have come a long way in terms of understanding how to prevent traumatic brain injuries, and the technology in modern riding helmets is extremely effective in protecting riders’ heads from impact.
It’s best to go get a helmet fitted in a store by an associate in order to ensure the best (and safest) fit. I will also be happy to help test helmet fit if you are unsure. A good horseback riding helmet doesn’t need to be expensive, but it does need to be ASTM/SEI certified at a minimum. Below are a few examples of affordable schooling helmets:
When you’re purchasing a helmet for riding lessons, be sure to look for the ASTM/SEI certification – and never purchase used helmets, which can be compromised in terms of safety!
- Paddock Boots
Sneakers are meant for running, jumping, playing, climbing, and skipping – but not particularly well designed for the stirrup! Paddock boots are the second most important recommendation I can make to maximize your rider’s time in the saddle.
Paddock boots have a smooth profile and sole, making them less likely to get caught in the stirrup. They also have ankle support to help stabilize the rider’s leg/ankle when they are posting and riding in jumping position. The added bonus – your kid’s sneakers will stay cleaner longer!
Riding boots typically run true to normal shoe sizes for kids. Here’s an example of an affordable pair:
- Gloves
Winter is coming — and riding gloves are the perfect little stocking stuffer to keep your kiddo’s hands warm during their horseback riding lessons! Horseback riding gloves have grip to help little fingers hold the reins, whereas normal gloves are generally too bulky and slick to do them any favors. Even in the summertime, summer gloves will protect your little equestrian’s fingers from blisters and rubs from the reins.
- Riding breeches/jodphurs
Riding pants give riders the perfect amount of stretch in all the right places so they have the freedom to move with their horses. Jodphurs also have knee patches to provide your rider with extra grip in the saddle! Conservative tan jodphurs are a safe bet for future showing endeavors, but for everyday riding lessons, any color is fine and there are plenty to choose from!
- Half chaps
For serious riders who are getting more advanced, I highly recommend half chaps. Half chaps plus paddock boots are a good, comfortable option for those not ready to commit to the cost of tall boots. They provide riders with lots of grip so they can stabilize their leg, protect from pinching by stirrup leathers, and add just a little extra ankle support. They’re nice to have for colder days, too.
- Saddle pad
For little horse kids who enjoy seeing their pony in their favorite colors and patterns, a saddle pad will certainly up the cuteness factor! A clean white saddle pad is a good option for those who may want to attend horseshows in the future, but for every day lessons, there are lots of fun options for the perfect photo op with your little rider and their favorite pony! You can even customize saddle pads with your rider’s embroidered name or the Firefly Farm logo so you’ll always know it belongs to you!
- Horse Treats
Who doesn’t love spoiling their favorite pony with treats? Spoil your own favorite kiddo with a fun bag of horse-themed cookies and treats that they can feed after their riding lesson. Giving is receiving! (This recommendation may or may not have been brought to you by a hungry lesson pony.)
- Books and Learning Activities
When their weekly horseback riding lesson isn’t enough to satisfy the horsey itch, providing your young rider with learning opportunities in the form of books and activities are a great supplement to their education. For older kids, I can’t recommend “Centered Riding” by Sally Swift enough. It is a timeless book with lots of helpful illustrations that they will find extremely useful in their riding forever! A subscription to Young Rider is a great option for kids to learn (and daydream) about horses when they can’t be on the horse themselves.
- Grooming Kit
Of course, we have everything your rider needs to groom their lesson horses, and learning to groom horses properly is a big part of our lesson program! However, if your kid is crazy about horses, a grooming kit of their very own might be a fun Christmas present for your little equestrian.
For younger riders:
For older kids:
10. A Gift Certificate for More Horseback Riding Lessons!
Of course, the best gift for any horse lover is time in the saddle. There’s a saying in the horse world: “people who have $15,000 worth of equipment usually just need $15,000 worth of riding lessons!” We’re happy to offer horseback riding lessons for kids that are affordable, fun, and educational. We promote horsemanship at all levels so that kids get the full experience of being a true horseperson because our mission at Firefly Farm and Pony Lessons is to promote the love of horses and the love of horseback riding.
Check out our horseback riding lesson pricing here.
All of the equipment listed above (except for the horseback riding lessons, of course!) are available online as well as at local businesses:
Atlanta Saddlery – Alpharetta
Dover Saddlery – Alpharetta
Horsetown – Locust Grove, Marietta, Snellville
Lindsey Horse and Pet – Fayetteville
Lucky W – Fairburn
Mags Tack Shop – Chattahoochee Hills (periodically)
Ride Heels Down – Cumming
Snooty Fox Tack Exchange – Alpharetta
Tractor Supply Company (multiple locations)
Online stores include SmartPak, Dover Saddlery, Chick’s Saddlery, Horze, Tack of the Day.
Happy Riding, and Happy Holidays!