15 Best Kids Horse Riding Helmets To Buy!
Trying to decide which helmet to buy your young rider? Here are the 15 best kids horse riding helmets to help you make your decision!
I LOVE horses! Love them. They’re my favorite animal.
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There’s nothing like being on the back of a horse with the wind in your hair living your best life.
Isn’t that what we want for our children? For them to live their best life? Take them horseback riding. They will love it.
Or better yet, buy them a horse if you’re able to. Best birthday gift EVER!
Or sign them up for horse riding lessons. They’ll love that too!
Once you’re signed up your child for lessons, they’ll need a helmet.
There are so many riding helmets on the market these days. But have no fear, I’ve got a list of the best horse riding helmets right here for you!
Benefits Of Horse Riding
Before we get to the list of helmets, I wanted to mention all of the benefits of horse riding. There are SO many reasons to saddle up! My favorite one is that it’s just good for your soul. Here are a few other reasons riding horses is so good for you.
- Reduces stress
- Relaxing
- Improves core strength
- Increases muscles tone
- Improves coordination
- Helps your cardiovascular health
- Burns calories
- Helps improve decision making skills
- Gets you outdoors
- Gives you a sense of adventure
- Improves balance
- Gives you independence
How To Choose The Right Size
It’s important to find the right helmet size for your young rider.
Having the right sized helmet will help make sure they have a great riding experiences. You don’t want them to want to quit riding because their helmet was too tight, too big, or too hot.
To find out the size of your child’s head, grab a flexible measuring tape. On their forehead, measure around your child’s head. Don’t pull too tight.
You want your child’s helmet to be snug on their head. Not too lose and not too tight. You don’t want it to move around.
Don’t buy a helmet hoping your child will grow into it. That’s totally what my frugal heart would do. But in this case, you want it to fit perfectly right out of the gate.
To help with this, I’ve included the helmet size for each helmet I recommend. The first six helmets I’ve listed come in sizes big enough for all children, teenagers, and adults.
This should help you find the best riding helmet for you and your family!
The Best Horse Riding Helmets For Kids
It’s worth the time and money to invest in a quality helmet. It can make all the difference in keeping your child safe and comfortable while they’re horseback riding.
All of these helmets have good ventilation. Ventilation is the easiest way to compare a quality helmet with a cheap helmet. A better quality helmet will have better ventilation, which is super important while riding.
So without further delay, here are the top 10 children’s riding helmets I recommend.
1. Ovation Protege Riding Helmet
My first choice is the Ovation Protege Riding Helmet. This helmet is the ultimate riding helmet and, in my opinion, the best helmet you could buy for your child.
The Ovation Protege has mesh-covered vents that allow air to flow while riding and keeps their head cool. It has a back extension for extra safely, and an adjustable strap and buckle.
This helmet comes in 10 colors and different finishes. It fits hat sizes 6 3/8-7 5/8.
Pro’s About Ovation Protege Riding Helmet
- Amazing mesh covering
- Extra safety back extension
- Comes in lots of colors
- Adjustable strap and buckle
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Amazing outer shell
- Reasonably priced
- ASTM-SEI certified
2. Troxel Liberty Riding Helmet
Troxel has an incredible safety record which makes it an amazing choice! This helmet fits hat sizes 6 1/4-7 3/8. Troxel is also a very popular brand, and they’re popular for a reason. They make quality helmets.
Pro’s About Troxel Liberty Riding Helmet
- Large vents
- Trademark DialFit system
- Low profile
- Light, but strong
- Easy to clean
- Variety of colors
- ASTM-SEI certified
3. IRH Equi-Lite Riding Helmet
This helmet has amazing ventilation, which is perfect for hot days. That’s why I’ve chose it as my number three. The ventilation can’t be beat!
This helmet size fits hat sizes 6 1/2-7 3/8.
Pro’s About IRH Equi-Lite Riding Helmet
- 9 vents make for ultimate ventilation
- IRH DialFit system
- 3 point harness with a quick release buckle
- Front visor
- Lined with soft foam
- Only 10 ounces
- ASTM/SEI certified
4. Troxel Dakota Horse Riding Helmet
Again, you can’t go wrong with a Troxel riding helmet. The Troxel Dakota Helmet fits hat sizes 6 1/4-7 3/4.
Pro’s About Troxel Dakota Horse Riding Helmet
- Sleek design
- Lightweight helmet
- Good ventilation
- Extended sun visor
- Adjustable slider system
- Stylish and comfortable
- ASTM-SEI certified
5. Ovation Deluxe Schooler Riding Helmet
This Ovation helmet is perfect for your little rider if they don’t like having something on their head. It’s so light, they won’t even know it’s there! This reason makes this helmet perfect for little kids!
The Ovation Deluxe Schooler Helmet fits hat sizes 6 1/2-7 5/8.
Pro’s About Ovation Deluxe Schooler Riding Helmet
- Adjustable dial
- Durable
- High flow vents
- Removable liner
- Comes in 3 colors
- ASTM and CE certified
6. Troxel Spirit Performance Helmet
This Troxel Spirit helmet is one of the best helmets you can buy for young riders. It’s only 9 inches wide and 8 inches tall, and only 20% of it is mesh, and it is very light.
There are many fun colors and characters that young kids will love! It also comes in solid colors like black.
The Troxel Spirit comes in sizes XS-L. The XS fits hat size 6 1/4-6 1/2 and the small is 6 1/2-6 7/8. It has an adjustable crown to help get a snug fit.
Pro’s About The Troxel Spirit Horseback Riding Helmet:
- Made in USA
- Removable lining
- Full coverage with FlexVisor
- Low profile
- Adjustment dial and DialFit system
- Comes in lots of colors
- Adjustable straps
- Extra interior padding
- Perfect for small children
7. Tipperary Sportage Equestrian Sport Helmet
This is an amazing helmet. Some say it has it all. It’s sleek, very protective, and good for all kinds of riding.
It’s made in a child size. Plus, this helmet is one of the more affordable helmets.
Pro’s About The Tipperary Sportage Equestrian Sport Helmet
- Reflective strip
- Foam interior
- Comes in many different colors
- Flexile visor
- Impact absorption
- Lightweight
- Good ventilation
- Amazing impact resistance
- Chinstrap cover
- Better than your average show helmet
8. TuffRider Starter Children’s Horse Riding Safety Hat
This riding helmet is amazing. It’s basic and doesn’t have a lot of the flashier things some of the other helmets have, but it gets the job done.
It won’t be small enough for really small kids, but it will be perfect for average to big kids. It would also be perfect for a second helmet for a small child.
Pro’s About The TuffRider Starter Children’s Horse Riding Safety Hat
- Fits a ponytail perfectly
- SEI certified
- Breathable
- Removable visor
- Adjustable dial
- Washable liner
- Can fit adults and children
9. One K Defender Jr. Helmet
This helmet is one of the few that has a good comfortable chinstrap. Little kids will love that! For me, that sets it apart.
This helmet is also great for kids who want to get into show riding.
Pro’s About The One K Defender Jr. Helmet
- Washable liner
- Padded chin strap
- Good show helmet
- High ventilation
- Sleek professional look
- Flex tip visor
- New low profile
10. Troxel Legacy Children’s Horse Riding Safety Helmet
This Troxel helmet has a slim profile and is very lightweight. It’s easy to fit and very comfortable. Again, Troxel’s helmet safety features are second to none.
It comes in the colors black, navy, chocolate, graphite, or burgundy.
Youth Small size fits up to 6 7/8, medium fits 7-7 1/4, and large fits 7 1/4.
Pro’s About The Troxel Legacy Children’s Horse Riding Safety Helmet
- Ideal for a first helmet
- Removable headliner
- Darling characters
- DialFit system
- ASTM-SEI certified
11. Ovation Metallic Riding Helmet
One of the best things about this helmet is that it comes in very small sizes. They have XXS and XS. Ovation make some of the best, if not the best, riding helmets. You can’t go wrong with any of their helmets.
This helmet is metallic, but they also have matte finishes. It’s light, small, and has great ventilation.
Pro’s About Ovation Metallic Riding Helmet
- Lightweight
- Small sizes
- Low profile
- Amazing ventilation
- Dial adjustment
- Harness adjuster clips
- Removable visors
12. Champion Junior X-Air Dazzle Plus Helmet
This helmet has amazing quality. You’ll find it at many show events. It’s super comfortable and I know your rider will love it!
Pro’s About Champion Junior X-Air Dazzle Plus Helmet
- Amazing for show riding
- Comfortable
- ASTM-SEI certified
- Lightweight
- Great ventilation
- Quick release chin strap
13. Troxel Fallon Taylor Performance Helmet
This helmet was designed by Fallon Taylor! I think it’s so cool to buy a helmet from a professional horseback rider. So fun! That’s my favorite thing about this helmet. It has all of the other features Troxel helmets have, but with a super cool design.
Pro’s About Troxel Fallon Taylor Performance Helmet
- Designed by Fallon Taylor
- ASTM-SEI certified
- FlipFold system
- DialFit system
- Amazing safety features
14. Tipperary Sportage Hybrid Helmet
One thing I love about this helmet is that it has lots of mesh for amazing ventilation. It comes in small sizes and it’s very comfortable. It’s also one of the most comfortable riding helmets made.
Pro’s About Tipperary Sportage Hybrid Helmet
- Removable liner that makes it easy to clean
- Comfort foam interior
- Lots of mesh
- Comes in XS and Small sizes
- Lightweight
- Very comfortable
15. IRH 4G Helmet
This helmet comes from not one, but two removable liners. They’re different thicknesses so you can use whichever one you’d prefer. Plus, you can wear a ponytail while wearing this helmet!
Pro’s About IRH 4G Helmet
- ASTM-SEI certified
- Looks great
- Superior comfort
- Removable liner
- Ultimate protection
- Removable liner
- Quick release chin strap
- Comes in suede or matte finish
Helmet Certification
All of these equestrian helmets have been certified by ASTM, which is the American Society for Testing and Materials. Most have SEI certification, which is by the Safety Equipment Institute. They both follow the highest safety standards.
Wearing a helmet while riding will lesson the risk of injury. It will also help protect the rider from a serious head injury.
Keep in mind that children’s horse riding helmets should be replaced every five years.
The Bottom Line
Horse riding is one of the best experiences we can have in this life. Make sure you get the right helmet for your little rider so they will love riding.
Which one you choose will depend greatly on your child’s head size. Try a few different brands on them, if you can, to get the perfect fit.
The two most important things when choosing a helmet are to make sure it’s an equestrian helmet and that it’s certified. From there, just choose one that fit’s your budget and that your child likes.
My top recommendation is the Ovation Protege Riding Helmet. If your child is on the small side, the Troxel Spirit Performance Helmet is also an amazing option, too!
Whichever new helmet you choose, have a great time riding out there. Giddy up!
FAQ’s
How should a horse riding helmet fit a child?
You want the helmet to fit snuggly on your child’s head.
What is the smallest horse riding helmet?
The Troxel Spirit Performance Children’s Horse Riding Helmets comes in size XS and is only 8″ tall and 9″ wide.
What is a horse riding helmet called?
It’s called a horse riding helmet. 🙂
What do you do with old horse riding helmets?
You can sell them secondhand on Craigslist or FB Marketplace.
Final Thoughts:
So there you have it! My top 15 children’s horse riding helmets. I hope you’ve found a helmet that will be perfect for your little rider! Let me know what you think in the comments.
