Hi All

I'm not a rider, but my 2 daughters have developed quite a fascination with horses. I have absolutely no clue about riding, other than a whole lot of money seems to be disappearing from my bank account, and I'll be the dumb guy asking questions like "what's posting and how is that related to tack?"

Older daughter has been taking lessons for about a year and will be showing first time next month on leadline. (Is "showing" the correct term?) Younger daughter will probably start lessons as soon as we can find equipment that fits her.

Anyhow, we're in New Jersey, US.

- Nuts

Hello and welcome! Glad you joined us, yes Showing is an appropriate term, as well as 'Competing.' Congrats to her, hope she does well!

As for your other daughter, Ebay is a great place to shop for equipment! I love it because I can generally find a better brand in used tack than mediocre in new tack (especially in saddles). Tack consignment sales are a good place to shop in saving $$$ as well, they are hosted alot of times at horse shows and other equine events. Remember, in the horse world, its good to save whenever you can.

Hope you enjoy yourself around the forum, post some photos of your girls riding some time, we would love to see!

Happy trails

Thanks breeder. I'm trying to keep costs down but that won't last for long. Riding out by us is considered a pretty expensive sport. I've tried looking for used riding boots and helmets but they're all too large.

Maybe I'm just being over protective, but I'd like our 14 month old to have decent head protection

Out here in the country our horses usually stay on pasture so cost of feeding is very low. Certified CHA horsemanship riding lessons run around $25 per hour group lesson/ $40 per hour private lesson.
Grain around 12% protein is usually around 8 bucks a bag!

GOOD JOB being protective of your daughters head !!! Can never be too careful. You can find helmets at fairly low prices on different sites, here's a example at Jeffers Equine:

Sport Helmets

Its not fancy, but it is ASTM approved and does the job! Of course, if she needs pink, you can always add a fabric helmet cover haha

By the way, what size and style riding boot are you looking for? I have a few pairs of new Ariat English field boots (they are black), size 5's, 7s, maybe a 7.5 as well, can't remember. I bought them very very cheap at a consignment sale and was planning to sell them on ebay.

I think we'll be using hand me downs from big sister, who is now wearing... Oh, what kind of father doesn't know the size of their children's clothing??? Hemet sizes... Yup, still no clue. We're still the retarded folk that need help from store people. Not quite sophisticated enough to buy online, lol

I'm in the mid-atlantic region AQHA's #'s are spot on for here as well.
For kids I love the helmets w/ the dial up system, it fits a growing kid longer than a few months and accomodates different hair styles & lengths.
Most all tack stores have a consignment section-and don't let anyone tell you it needs to be new.
Neat & Clean-your golden. Except for helmets don't buy second hand, just not worth it.
14 months is pretty young-there are helmets designed especially for Toddlers it is weighted differently for accomodate their neck strength.

Belated Welcome.

welcome to the world of horses ... I dont think your over protective about equipement for your children.. with my 10 yr old she knows the rules no helmet no ride.. shes been riding since she was 5 and the rules havent changed..

I never wore a helmet until a really skitso horse that I broke in years ago tossed me a few times and hubby insisted I brought and wore a helment now its second nature ..

a lot of mums over here in Oz also put those protective vests on there kids.. havent gone that far but a helmet definately

Hi and welcome.

Im so glad that your daughters are interested in horses. Prepare to be broke for the next 18-20 years.

Did i understand correctly that your 14 month old daughter will be starting lessons soon? If so, as a riding instructor and simply as person with common sense, this is waay TOO young to begin lessons. Any trainer who tells you differently just wants your lesson fees. Think about it, is it really a smart thing to do to expect a toddler who cant even control her bodily functions yet to control a 1000 independantly minded animal. Actually psychologically speaking, her mind cant even comprehend that other things have individual thoughts seperate from her's yet. Neither has her depth perception developed.

Trail rides with you or mom, great. Being around the barn (safely) while sister is riding, great. Riding herself, BAD idea.