Riding gear for a five year old?

[gonetoseeamanaboutadog]

So I have a pony mad five year old. This is karma.

Please, would anyone be kind enough to tell me the following:

Are long or short boots better for this age?
Skull cap or hat?
What size jodhpurs is she likely to need (local shop doesn't have small enough. She's tall for her age, fairly solid build).
Does she need gloves?
Is a back protector necessary given that she'll only be pottering?

Thank you so much.

Don't forget that although eBay is great, back protectors and hats need to be bought new. Also, I would write her name in the hat in MASSIVE letters - kids lose them on average once every 29 minutes!

Yes sorry I wouldn't advocate having your own stirrups for riding school lessons. That would be extreme as the riding school should have the right ones for your age. I was just explaining why we do it..

For jumping DD is actually using the flexi ones (metal with rubber down the sides with flexion) which keep your feet in a good position and are easier on the joints. Unnecessary for beginners though.

Own styrups and leathers for riding schools

I think I'm and old school fuddy duddy. 'A bad work man always blames his tools' ect...

Yes the riding school should have appropriate sizes though.

But I'm also mean, when teaching ds most part of there lessons were without styrups so they learnt and maintained balance first.
They were just grateful when I let them have styrups back for the remainder of a lesson.

TBH I would love to see DD having lunge lessons for the first six months without stirrups for part of the time. I believe it's the way the Lipizzaner riders train...! But I suppose it's expensive to provide and children may not keep their enthusiasm.

Not sure DD would actually choose to put bean bags in a bucket over lunging though...

Arhh the key is to split the lesson, so no strups reins for the first part then give everything back and do a normal lesson.

The first lesson with ds were, first part, sitting on doing exercises, round the world, touch your toes, move from sitting to laying across the saddle then back to sitting, touching ears touching the tail. All whilst the horse stood then small walk without R&S. Then second part a normal lead rein lesson,

As they learnt, the beginning of each lesson changed to suit there ability.

Its how I was taught from 4 (but it was one to one on a private yard), and yes lunge lessons were hard. But there was always something to look forward to afterwards.

Up until 16 I thought everyone learnt this way.

I think I'm going to have to buy her a pony if she's to learn that way...

Will revisit this in six months time if she's still loving it. She's had a very hard time in various ways recently and it's meant a lot to find something she loves. We'll see.

I'm glad she's found something she loves. Let her enjoy it, riding schools are good at teaching. Just different to my experience thats all.

Your DDs lucky to have you, and it looks like it wouldn't take much for her and dh to convince you to get a pony

DD started with hat (fitted better, it really depends on the size/shape of head), jodphurs (because they look better) and gloves. She had short boots and chaps.

She got a body protector when she was secure riding without lead and went hacking as well. The school insist on them when they trot and jump but encourage to get them earlier.

Hats and body protector have to be fitted properly. Boots - we buy from the shop as well. I think they are fitted like all other shoes, a bit of room but they are replaced with all other shoes when DD needs a bigger size.

Ummm, there is nothing wrong with our leathers and stirrups thank you! I was simply commenting on a trend I have noticed with the younger riders who want all the gear but don't own a pony,

If we ever do look for the perfect first pony, mumsnet will be my first port of call :)

Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to advise - we are slavishly adhering to it. (Including the bit about not bringing our own stirrups ).

LurkyMcLurcker sorry I wasn't inferring you didn't have the right styups & leathers. Only they'd be justified if the riding school didn't have appropriate ones. I get that its some weird trend.

Advice on first pony (because you know you want to) not younger than 10. 15 better. A bit smaller than you think you could get for her to grow into and not a little sod off lead rein😃

I can see the point of the stirrup thing if you want your child to have safety stirrups but otherwise it does seem a bit bonkers!