Outfitting Tiny Equestrians
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One of the first baby items I remember getting really excited about receiving was a pair of teeny tiny riding pants in a size 6 months. Of course, my pint-sized equestrian baby had to have riding pants long before she could sit up on her own. That’s just how it works with grown-up horse girls. We have to impose our horse craziness onto our children before they have a say in it just in case they don’t end up loving horses as they get older. That’s perfectly normal, right?
I happened to luck out and have a sweet 4yr old who is still a big fan of horses and loves to ride. However, finding riding attire for her has been a bit of a challenge the past few years. After searching all the equestrian apparel websites, tack shops, and Google, I was able to piece together a few options. Whether you’re looking for show attire or just breeches for training, this list should have you covered throughout toddlerhood!
Helmet
Ovation Deluxe Schooler – Hattie’s worn the XXS for the past few years and I love that it’s adjustable so it will fit perfectly to her head. It’s the only one I could find that’s small enough to fit her. We went with black, but they do have a variety of colors.
JOds/BREECHES
Best for training: Tuff Rider girl’s starter low-rise breeches come in small sizes and in a variety of colors. They’re so versatile and stand up to a lot of regular use.
Best for leadline/show ring: Devon Aire classic jods are great because the fabric is thick and high quality. However, they tend to run a bit long so keep that in mind.
Best for casual wear and summer: Janie & Jack leggings aren’t technically “real” riding jods or breeches, but they’re probably the most comfortable because they fit like regular leggings and the fabric is a bit thinner. At this age, I think they work great for Summer riding and they’re also really cute with everyday outfits in the fall and winter. Hope & Henry kids also have a variety of options for little ones that are more like leggings but can be worn in the saddle.
Boots
Gap or Old Navy sometimes carries “Chelsea Boots” in toddler sizes during the Fall and Winter months. We got Hattie a pair when she was two and they fit great. She wore them everywhere and they were very comfortable.
Last year, we couldn’t find the Chelsea Boots at any retail stores, so I ordered these on Amazon and they’ve worked well so far. She mostly wears them riding, but also wears them with leggings and they’re very cute.
Todhpurs – if you’re lucky enough to live in the UK, these are amazing and come in tiny toddler sizes! And they also have tiny half chaps! If you want to see cute pics of tiny equestrians, head over to their Instagram! It’s one of my favorites!
Jackets
School uniform jackets or boys’ suit jackets are perfect for toddlers! I got this tip from Katie from Holland Hill after seeing her adorable daughter in a jacket and asking where she found one. Turns out, it was her son’s old suit jacket! Hattie had been asking for a “real riding jacket” for Christmas, but I couldn’t find anything on the equestrian sites. I ended up ordering this French Toast Girl’s Blazer on sale and it’s very durable and machine washable which is always a big plus!
Shirts
Mini Boden – I’ve found some of my favorite shirts for Hattie here. They usually have a few shirts or dresses with horses and/or unicorns on them and they’re very well made. Another thing I love is that they size for two years at a time, like 2-3yrs, 3-4yrs, etc… so they can wear the shirts for two seasons instead of just one. It helps me justify spending a bit more on them!
Carhartt – I’ve found a few at Tractor Supply, but Amazon has a better selection of prints and sizes. We like the purple shirt with the painted horse, but there are a handful of really cute ones.
Big Retail Stores – If your little ones are fans of Spirit Riding Free, be sure to check Target, Walmart, and Kohls for t-shirts. We’ve had really good luck finding horse and unicorn shirts at Target too. You can also find some like this on Amazon. With the new Spirit Untamed moving coming out, I’m sure there will be a lot more options very soon.
School Uniforms – you can always find white polos or button shirts anywhere that sells school uniforms (Target, Walmart, Old Navy, Amazon) and they work great with riding jackets. We bought one for a Harry Potter costume and she wears it with her riding jacket also. This short sleeve and this long sleeve would be perfect for pairing with a jacket to wear in the ring.
I hope this guide has helped all of those parents of tiny horse girls. There’s not much cuter than seeing mini equestrians all decked out in their riding clothes. If you have any brands or products you like for your little ones, post a link in the comments.
