Best clothes for kids riding in cold weather?

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numptynovice

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So we’re all just back from our lessons and it was REALLY cold today. My 7 year old daughter was wearing:
- thermal trousers
- ski socks
- jodhpurs
- thermal base layer
- fleece
- fleece lined hoody
- gloves

But she was still freezing.

I’ve just ordered winter gloves for her (they’ll still do her fine next year) but is it worth buying her a proper “riding” coat? Her normal winter coat is too puffy to get her body protector over. If so, any recommendations or alternatives? Thanks!!
 
I think with very young children there is not much you can do to keep them warm other than to get them moving as much as possible, I usually cut lessons a bit short and do loads of trotting/ cantering if able, a few exercises while standing still, round the world both ways as fast as you can warms them up, I have been known to get them off and running a few laps of the school if they are really cold, a coat over the body protector would work better as she could move a bit more easily but hopefully it will soon be spring and it won't be needed.
 
be positive said:
I think with very young children there is not much you can do to keep them warm other than to get them moving as much as possible, I usually cut lessons a bit short and do loads of trotting/ cantering if able, a few exercises while standing still, round the world both ways as fast as you can warms them up, I have been known to get them off and running a few laps of the school if they are really cold, a coat over the body protector would work better as she could move a bit more easily but hopefully it will soon be spring and it won't be needed.
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Thank you - that’s a good tip about the coat going over the body protector. I think I’ll find something in a bigger size that will fit over the BP then it will do her next year for regular wear and it also be good for colder summer days if she doesn’t have lots of layers underneath.

She’s not cantering yet - which would have solved the problem I think - my hands were like blocks of ice today until we started the canter work then I was fine. They did lots of trotting but it was so cold it wasn’t enough!
 
I don't know about specifically for children, but one thing I have found that makes a huge difference is having windproof clothing.

I'm not suggesting this for your child, but I bought a Musto Canter BR1 jacket. It's waterproof and windproof, not overly padded inside but once we get going in the lesson I'm so nice and toasty. I even had to undo it in my lesson on Friday where the weather was about 4C and windy.

I definitely feel the cold in general but having a windproof shell has made all the difference. I now wear a long sleeved thermal base layer, body protector and riding jacket. So far I'm still in standard jodhpurs but am considering upgrading to softshell or similar as that should give a little more weather protection from rain.

Does she ride in Jodhpur boots or long riding boots? They can also help keep the heat in.

Maybe consider buying her a thermal snood too?
 
As the mother of a terribly small slender child - getting cold was such an issue (She's 18 now - sometimes it still is!!). Layers are your friend -but don't over layer as you squeeze out the air which acts as an insulator. You can get something called "Toastie toes" which stick inside the boot and warm the feet. Riding mittens keep small hands warmer than gloves and are less bulky - they have separations for the rein but the remaining 3 fingers are together.

The more expensive your base layers are the better - silk if you can manage it. My daughter was a show jockey by 5 so we did a lot in the cold and silk layers were well worth it.

And if they get cold - bury them in the muck heap. Honestly. We used to set the littles to putting in the shelves on the muck heap. The heat radiating off those things is great!
 
Great ideas, thank you! I have ordered a snood and will look for toastie toes and riding mittens.

She rides in jodhpurs boots but she has ski socks and short chaps which I thought would work a bit like long boots.
 
I’ve also found a half price windproof anorak with a detachable fleece lining and have bought it in a size up so it will fit over the BP :-)
 
numptynovice said:
Great ideas, thank you! I have ordered a snood and will look for toastie toes and riding mittens.

She rides in jodhpurs boots but she has ski socks and short chaps which I thought would work a bit like long boots.
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They will be warmer than long rubber boots and less restrictive for her unless you get long boots that are very big and use thick socks but you still have the limited movement issue.
 
Hubby and I hacked out in a bitter cold wind today with our 6yo, and he wore...

Thermal baselayer from M&S
Polo neck
Fleece
Body protector
Thin anorak

with waterproof/windproof jodhs from decathlon and two pairs of socks.

He stayed warm except for his toes, and it really was exceptionally cold here. My fingers were sore they were so cold.

He has winter fleece lined kids gloves from Toggi which were only about £13.

Today, I think a windproof layer on top made all the difference.

Fiona
 
That's v similar to the regatta one mine has.....

Oh and he had a buff/neck warmer pulled right up under his hat too.....

Fiona
 
That looks gorgeous... Really fluffy. His was a light lycra one, so he was able to pull it right up under his hat. Like the ones cyclists wear.

I'd love a fluffy one too though.

Fiona
 
28699110_1819344201451830_4676470006894647237_o.jpg


Looking a little fat, but warm...

Fiona
 
I forgot to put on my silk glove liners under my gloves, and by the time we got back I could have cried with the pain in my fingers 😣😣 Can totally understand how miserable little ones get when they're cold 😣

Fiona
 
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