Anyone here have a son who rides horses?

[Anonymous]

My son (10) will go to camp next summer and ride a few days a week. I'm supposed to send him with helmet, boots, and riding pants.

I grew up riding but honestly didn't cross paths with boys at our barn, and of course that was 30 years ago, so I have no idea what boys in 2023 wear to go riding. Breeches and tall boots? Jods and paddock boots? I'd appreciate any guidance.

[Anonymous]

Call the camp and ask. It's probably pretty specific.

[Anonymous]

Oh hell no Jan

[Anonymous]

Why "oh, hell, no Jan?" Riding is a great sport for boys and girls if you can afford it. It takes courage, athleticism, and commitment.

Ask the camp what they recommend. Could be jeans and cowboy boots. I doubt if they'd require tall boots for kids.

[Anonymous]

At 10 for a new rider - I would send paddock boots, riding pants, and a helmet.

[Anonymous]

Anytime tack sells a good starter pack with paddock boots and helmet for I think $80.

[Anonymous]

Once they get going in the hunter/jumpers, they wear breeches and half chaps or boots just like the girls. Paddock boots to show when they’re on small and medium ponies.

But for camp, maybe ask them but if he’s more comfortable in jeans that’s probably fine! The main thing is boots that fit and have an adequate heel. The heel is a safety thing to keep feet from going through the stirrups.

For helmets, having an ASTM approved helmet that fits well is the most important thing but you can also use this VT rating system to inform you.

https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/equestrian-helmet-ratings.html

[Anonymous]

At 10, Joe’s and paddock boots are more appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. Jods and paddock boots seem most likely. May go the jeans and half chaps route to simplify a little.

[Anonymous]

Since this thread has the right readership, are there any places left in northern Fairfax County where my DC could learn to ride ?

(There used to be a place on the edge of McLean, but when the owner died County staff would not transfer the required county permits to the owner’s children. Now that land is yet another housing cluster. Sigh.)

[Anonymous]

The tack shop at Woodland Horse Center has help me a lot with deciding what I need for my rider over the years. I recommend calling them. I have a 10yo daughter and she wears riding leggings (kerrets brand) with grippy patches on the legs, a mix of regular t shirts and athletic wick away fabric shirts, a special riding helmet and the short paddock boots. There are very few boys at her stable. I think I’ve seen them wearing jeans, but lighter weight fabrics are more comfortable in the summer heat.