Children's Paddock Boots

[Lilacs]

Hello,

I’m a new equestrian mom. My daughter is 6 years old and will be taking English riding lessons this summer. I know there’s quite a few choices of paddock boots to choose from in various price points, but I’m really not sure which to go with. I’ve reached to a few local tack shops and they all recommend Ariat. I’ve lurked in the forums and it seems the overall popular choice is Ariat. I’ve also seen Tuffrider and Dublin come up as recommendations for beginners. Since everyone here seemed to be experienced riders, what are your experiences with Ariat, Tuffrider, and Dublin? How is the comfort, the fit - true to size? Which would you recommend? And is there a preferred color black vs brown for children? She will be in these all summer. I’d love to hear everyone’s input. Thanks!

[NorthernHunter]

Has she tried any on? I think brown is more traditional for kids, but the most important thing is that she wear something with a heel, colour is secondary concern. I would bring her to a tack store, try a few on and choose one, there are various price points but the more expensive isn’t any safer/better. I would suggest purchasing a helmet as well; many riding schools may provide some, but having her own ensures it is properly fit (and you know it hasn’t been dropped).

[Lilacs]

@NorthernHunter

Has she tried any on? I think brown is more traditional for kids, but the most important thing is that she wear something with a heel, colour is secondary concern. I would bring her to a tack store, try a few on and choose one, there are various price points but the more expensive isn’t any safer/better. I would suggest purchasing a helmet as well; many riding schools may provide some, but having her own ensures it is properly fit (and you know it hasn’t been dropped).

Thank you! That is a very good point with the helmet. My daughter’s instructor told me that they have helmets but it didn’t occur to me that it could’ve been dropped previously. We will be making a trip to the tack shop to have her get fitted for shoes and helmet.

[NorthernHunter]

Good luck! Some tack stores offer a package deal of riding “basics” to get kids started, but the paddock boots and helmet are the most important pieces for a kid starting out! Riding helmets are ASTM/SEI certified for safety, so any properly fitted certified style is perfect, regardless of the price tag (seriously some are $50 and some are +$500).

[Lilacs]

@NorthernHunter

Good luck! Some tack stores offer a package deal of riding “basics” to get kids started, but the paddock boots and helmet are the most important pieces for a kid starting out! Riding helmets are ASTM/SEI certified for safety, so any properly fitted certified style is perfect, regardless of the price tag (seriously some are $50 and some are +$500).

Thanks! I did have a quick look online and there are as much choices as boots! I saw the $500+ helmets and I must say they are pretty! I’m sure all the experienced riders make the investment for safety. Thanks again for your help. I really appreciate it.

[BITSA]

Get black and get the less expensive ones that fit right. Ariats are very nice but pricey. Unless she needs show boots I’d save here and spend elsewhere.

[BITSA]

Yes–she MUST have a proper fitting helmet!!!

[poltroon]

For a little kid, I highly recommend eBay for paddock boots. The selection will be very good, and unless she’s doing a ton of walking in them, the fit won’t be that critical, either. Until she is at a level where she is riding nearly every day, she won’t wear them out or even close before she grows out of them.

Once my daughter was older, she ended up choosing her Ariats as her school shoes.

At this age, the color of the boots doesn’t matter. IME, it’s easier to make black boots look like new again, so that’s usually what I choose.

Buy the helmet new, but price ≠ safety on the helmets. Instead, buy an inexpensive helmet that fits and that you’ll be happy to replace if she falls in it or when she outgrows it. Kids often enjoy having the colored or sparkly ones. Enjoy it while you can. There will be plenty of time, I assure you, to spend a lot of money outfitting her as she gets older… pretty much every year.