My LO is ready to start his lead line lessons. He told me so. 
I’d like to get him a SEI certified helmet, but so far I’ve had no luck finding one small enough. The Joovy Noodle was recommended by a friend, but it’s a bike helmet and not certified.
I mean we’re going to be walking on a mini, but I’d still rather have certified.
Thoughts?
Talk with the pediatrician. My understanding is that children don’t have sufficient neck strength to wear most helmets safely at that age.
[QUOTE=Nickelodian;8888088]
My LO is ready to start his lead line lessons. He told me so.
I’d like to get him a SEI certified helmet, but so far I’ve had no luck finding one small enough. The Joovy Noodle was recommended by a friend, but it’s a bike helmet and not certified.
I mean we’re going to be walking on a mini, but I’d still rather have certified.
Thoughts?[/QUOTE]
Of course certified is the way to go. That being said- after you ask the pediatrician (I think that’s a good idea)- a bike helmet may be acceptable ONLY because - I “assume” a 1year old is not going to be walking around on his own. A 1 year old would need a parent (or 2) to walk beside them and hold them on the pony. It isn’t like they are going to be able to function independently at 1 (and I have a kid I started early- thankfully she is built like a pin- skinny body and bigger head so has been in a certified since she started riding).
Sitting on our mini was definitely the start of my little one’s love of horses, but I wouldn’t have called it lesson 
Even getting ready for Devon was “prep” ha ha. Maybe you’ll have a little savant 
.
Oh yes, when I say “lessons” I mean, sitting on a mini and giggling. I still want a helmet on him.
Don’t know about certified but how about the small, protective helmets worn by infants and toddlers that are undergoing medical treatments? Look like Hockey helmets, good snug fit and chinstrap, not very thick or heavy and designed for that size head and neck?
Just an idea…
That is a good idea findeight but those things are extremely expensive. Like $2k-$4k! They also are designed to reshape the head, not protect. People use them because they don’t want their babies to have flat heads, not an impact thing so I don’t think it would really serve the purpose.
Ovation schooler goes pretty small. That’s what I bought my son when he was 15 mos. old. It has a dial fit system so they should out grow it/it expires at about the same time. And they’re only about $45.
[QUOTE=Squirt;8888205]
Ovation schooler goes pretty small. That’s what I bought my son when he was 15 mos. old. It has a dial fit system so they should out grow it/it expires at about the same time. And they’re only about $45.[/QUOTE]
This. I bought my 18 month old an Ovation schooler in xxs and it fits her very well.
[QUOTE=fordtraktor;8888192]
That is a good idea findeight but those things are extremely expensive. Like $2k-$4k! They also are designed to reshape the head, not protect. People use them because they don’t want their babies to have flat heads, not an impact thing so I don’t think it would really serve the purpose.[/QUOTE]
2-4K? Yikes. Never mind…
http://www.justforponies.com/schoolinghelmets.aspx
The Snowbee ones look to be the best. (weighs 13.4 oz)
Ovation makes an xxxs! Fits my two yr old!
My toddler wears the Ovation Schooler in the XXXS toddler size. He’s been doing leadline since he was just over a year and even though he dislikes wearing hats he will happily wear his helmet. It’s very light and cool, and the black one is perfect for shows. Until I got it for him he just wore his infant size bike helmet.
[QUOTE=joiedevie99;8888090]
Talk with the pediatrician. My understanding is that children don’t have sufficient neck strength to wear most helmets safely at that age.[/QUOTE]
I agree. I wouldn’t put a child under 4 on a horse, because they can’t control their neck in the event of a sudden movement, or even in the event of a long side step. when they can carry themselves and follow the movementof the horse (ie, 4 years old and over), they can be allowed on a horse. Until then, its foolish.
I did talk with my pediatrician and he saw no issue with some pony rides with a well fitting helmet.
When my daughter was 1 or 2 I got her a charles owen. I beleive its called a JR. Its made just for toddlers. the lining was green and had a picture of a pony inside. Its not exactly like the normal charles owen and not too pricey either.
I used a bike helmet for my kids when they were little (up to about 3 years).
My reasoning was this - the horse helmets do indeed get quite small now, and it’s possible that the super small ovation would fit a one year old’s head. But the bike helmet was still lighter and in discussions with my pediatrician (he was not a fan of the kids being on a horse or pony at all, FTR), he felt that if I HAD to do it, he wanted me to use the lightest thing I could put on their heads.
So for the time that I was walking beside them in an as-close-to-no-risk-as-possible-situation, I used bike helmets. My son didn’t ride after that point and so he never moved beyond a bike helmet. My daughter transitioned to a normal helmet when she was somewhere in the 3 or 4 year old range, at which point I bought her an XS Ovation, and then a Charles Owen JR.
[QUOTE=joiedevie99;8888090]
Talk with the pediatrician. My understanding is that children don’t have sufficient neck strength to wear most helmets safely at that age.[/QUOTE]
This.
Last I spoke to a helmet manufacturer, many won’t make anything smaller than 16" for that reason.
Uvex makes an xxxx-xs and it fits my daughters 45cm head. She is tiny. It’s also extremely light weight. It’s so light I almost threw the entire thing out thinking it was an empty box on Saturday :o the cost was $90CAD
Adorable photo proof
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLoZmEABNtd/?taken-by=mrskellybanks
https://www.instagram.com/p/BKdyby-AN2c/?taken-by=mrskellybanks
we started by making her wear it around the house, then on her “bike rides” (trike) and now if shes in the barn or arena she is to wear the helmet. I also wear my helmet during all horse related times when she’s with me to set an example. I just makes me feel safer that she wears it.
Another vote for the Ovation Schoole. Great helmet for the kids, and comes very small. Snowbee also has very small ones too!
I like to stay away from Bike helmets all together. Even with a little ones. I dont like anyone to get the idea that they are safe.
Uvex makes the teeny tiniest helmet. Smaller, I think, than Ovation.
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