Adjustable riding hat for 18month old?

Bav

Bav

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Hey HHO'ers I'm seeking your help! My little one is 18months old and we've recently been offered the chance to borrow a friends little Shetland for little rides. I've plonked her on many a pony's back and held on to her for a quick sit on, but I won't even entertain the idea of a horse walking with her on until she has a helmet.

My dilemma is finding a hat, I ideally would like an adjustable one, or lightweight as skull caps can be quite heavy and she's only little!
Do any of you lovely people know of an adjustable one that is up to the current standard as we are on a BHS approved yard and therefore need to have PAS015. Whenever I've looked they've never specified and local tack shop only sell skulls that wouldn't go anywhere small enough anyways.
 
I think I got mini SF a size 0 or similar when she was 2. They put in sticky wedges for want of a better term ut make it fit securely. Tbh at that age unless strapped on you'll still be holding on to your little one if you walk for a while yet.
 
She's only got a 47cm head hahahaha I think 0 is 53cm, I have seen 00's around and I suppose we could pad her head out a bit. I do worry a skull would be too heavy for her head? I'm sure I've read somewhere that they're not good for young children and their necks? I've just got images in my head of her toddling and toppling over hahahahahaha!! XD
 
We use the Polly riding hats at our RDA group as they're lightweight and adjustable. There are three sizes, and I swear the smallest one starts at 48cm.

Might be worth a google. I wasn't sure about them at first but they're actually rather good hats, and come with stickers too. Think they came via Tagg Equestrian if that helps. ETS: here you go, if you scroll down, there's an information sheet about them and their standards, as they have a new one in them. http://www.taggequestrian.co.uk/ind...-news/249-polly-hats-meeting-the-new-standard
 
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You might have more luck with a cycle helmet for that age. Pony Club recommends that children up to the age of 9 can use cycle helmets because the neck is not thought to be strong enough to support a skull cap. Although that is dependent on activity - my daughter was hunting by 7! But at 18 months a cycle helmet should be perfectly sufficient.
 
My girls have lovely bright lightweight fouganza hats from decathlon. I wouldn't put a skull cap on such a young 'un. Mine ride at an approved yard and they have never questioned the hat standards.
 
I'll be buying the Casco nori soon, it's vg1 standard, super lightweight and adjustable. When I saw it in real life I couldn't believe how light it was!
 
Tbh I'd probably wait until child is old enough for a skull cap at somewhere between 2 and 3 years they'll get to be, for short times anyway. If you hold the munchkin on until that point it is hardly likely to impede their long term equestrian success whereas relying on a hat which isn't really designed for the job but gives you confidence might.

I know that sounds a bit kill joy ish but at 3 a 20min ride is usually enough so worrying about hats etc before then may not be worth it.
 
I bought a lovely Champion Air Tech Plus hat for my kids. Adjustable, very lightweight and smart and they both use it (ages 5 and 2). It wasn't cheap but it will last them years and wasn't any more expensive than it would've been if I'd bought them a cheaper hat each :)

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ThursdayNext said:
Tbh I'd probably wait until child is old enough for a skull cap at somewhere between 2 and 3 years they'll get to be, for short times anyway. If you hold the munchkin on until that point it is hardly likely to impede their long term equestrian success whereas relying on a hat which isn't really designed for the job but gives you confidence might.

I know that sounds a bit kill joy ish but at 3 a 20min ride is usually enough so worrying about hats etc before then may not be worth it.
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The hats have to conform to the same standard as adult ones. Some older kids have smaller heads, and would wear the same XS Childs helmet.
 
I'm not at home at the moment, but I think it's a Specialized Small Fry Toddler cycle helmet we've got. It's fully adjustable and goes much smaller than the adjustable riding helmets which I tried first. Yes the child will be held on but it's a good habit to get into imo and the helmet will get used for scooting and bikes next year too.
 
I know, I'm a creature of habit and so is my little girl, I'd rather reinforce the hat idea now so that she knows. Our yard manager has a proper keen eye for spotting riding hats and if they don't hold the current pas2015 we aren't allowed to ride on the yard premises! Otherwise I'd have brought the little adjustable ones I've seen. An expensive one, albeit one that will last may be the way to go and if need be, padding it out until then.

I can't wait for her first pony ride she gets the giggles when the horses walk so can't wait for her to have a go properly other then a quick two steps forward and off jobby :) definitely teaching her right as 'horsey' was her first word after mummy and daddy.
 
Bav said:
I know, I'm a creature of habit and so is my little girl, I'd rather reinforce the hat idea now so that she knows. Our yard manager has a proper keen eye for spotting riding hats and if they don't hold the current pas2015 we aren't allowed to ride on the yard premises! Otherwise I'd have brought the little adjustable ones I've seen. An expensive one, albeit one that will last may be the way to go and if need be, padding it out until then.

I can't wait for her first pony ride she gets the giggles when the horses walk so can't wait for her to have a go properly other then a quick two steps forward and off jobby :) definitely teaching her right as 'horsey' was her first word after mummy and daddy.
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The Polly hats have a standard that is newer or equivalent to the PAS2015. Might be worth getting your ym to read up on the newer standards, as the VG1 is very much an approved, safe standard. If they're good enough for RDA who are pretty safety conscious, they should be good enough for your little one to toddle around in imho!
 
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