Best Children Horse Riding Helmets (A Buyer's Guide)
While riding horses isn’t generally seen as a dangerous sport, it does have its risks. It is for this reason that you want to make sure you get the best and most protective horse riding helmet that you can.
This is even more true if you are buying one for your little one, and you want to be reassured that they will be safe.
In this article, we review some of the best children horse riding helmets. We also put together a buyer’s guide to help make the process of choosing the right horse riding helmet as easy as possible.
Top 6 Horse Riding Helmets For Kids (Our Review)
Troxel Spirit Horseback Riding Helmet (Best Overall)
- Troxel Performance Headgear
- New Low Profile
- Full Coverage Design for Optimal Comfort
- DialFit System
- New Size Range
The Troxel Spirit Horseback Riding Helmet is our pick of the best horse riding helmet for kids and is great for a young rider.
This riding helmet has been designed to provide deep and full coverage, which increases the safety features, and makes it a more comfortable fit for younger riders.
This Troxel Spirit helmet makes use of DialFit technology which means that the helmet can be fitted and adjusted using the chin straps and adjustable dial. This makes it able to fit a variety of different head shapes.
The Troxel Spirit also comes in sizes extra small to large. This makes it much more accommodating for children who have very little heads, and those who have bigger ones, too.
This riding helmet is made out of 20% mesh, which makes it very lightweight and cool. There are also vents placed on it for maximum cooling.
There is a removable washable headliner, so it is easy to keep the helmet fresh and clean. It also has a FlexVisor™ on it, which means that if your child does have to fall and lands on the visor, it is flexible so it won’t shatter and be a risk of cutting your child’s face.
This Troxel Spirit performance helmet is ASTM/SEI-certified and will provide the most protection possible to your child.
The only downside that you may notice is that it might need to be readjusted frequently.
You can purchase this helmet for about $65.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Accommodates very small head sizes
- Easy to adjust
- Provides adequate safety
Cons
- May need to be frequently adjusted
IRH Equi-Lite DFS Helmet (Best For Beginners)
The IRH Equi-Lite DFS Helmet is one of the best riding helmets for beginners, making it great for young riders who are still inexperienced and are wanting their first helmet.
This helmet is extremely lightweight, so it won’t feel too strange and uncomfortable for a child who is just learning to ride.
The IRH Equi-Lite is specially designed to keep your head cool throughout the ride. It has five vents in the front and four vents that cover the rear ventilation for maximum airflow through the helmet.
This helmet is made with a DialFit system that makes it very easy to adjust the tightness of the helmet and suit it to your child’s head shape. This DialFit system also prevents the helmet from shifting forwards and backward, which makes it safer and not so annoying for your child.
This riding helmet has a removable visor, so if it bothers your child it can be easily taken off.
The helmet is ASTM F1163-04A/SEI Certified, so it will provide great protection to your child in the case that an accident occurs.
The only real problem picked up with this helmet is that it can be quite bulky.
The IRH Equi-Lite can be purchased for a very affordable $38, another reason why it is great for beginners.
Pros
- Good for beginners
- Very well priced
- Good ventilation
- Removable breakaway visors
Cons
- It may look quite bulky
Ovation Deluxe Toddler Schooler Helmet (Best For Small Heads)
The Ovation Deluxe Toddler Schooler Helmet is a superb choice of riding helmet, and one of our top choices for children who have small heads.
Having a small head can really be quite a problem when it comes to choosing a horse riding helmet. If your head is too small, the helmet won’t have a snug fit and will keep moving around. If it keeps moving around it can decrease the protection it offers, and can just simply be annoying.
The Ovation Deluxe helmet starts at a size of double extra small, where most helmets only stock from small. This helmet can also be adjusted even further if needs be. It has an easy-adjust dial that comes with an exclusive YKK adjuster clip.
Additionally, there are multiple vents that will help keep you cool, and the liner is removable and machine washable so that you can keep your helmet fresh and clean.
This helmet is ASTM F1163-04A & CE certified and provides you with optimal protection throughout your ride.
There have been some reports of the visor and chin strap falling off, otherwise, there are no other complaints regarding this helmet.
It can be purchased for about $60.
Pros
- Offers sizes for smaller heads
- Easily adjustable
- Good ventilation
Cons
- Reports of the visor and chin strap falling off
Troxel Liberty Horseback Riding Helmet (Best Lightweight)
- Matte duratec/gloss finish
- Gps II dial fit system
- Mesh covered vents
- Low profile
- Flip-fold fit adjustment
The Troxel Liberty Horseback Riding Helmet is our best lightweight choice of helmet. It weighs under a pound and is very comfortable and light on your head.
This lightweight low profile helmet has an adjustable dial system for easy adjustment and to provide your child’s head with a secure and snug fit. This means that it is able to fit most children’s heads, as you can adjust it to their unique head shape.
This horse riding helmet is great for all the different riding disciplines and has mesh-covered vents to make sure that you stay cool and comfortable, no matter what you are doing.
The headliner can be removed and washed in the washing machine to keep it clean. The visor has an extended length so that it provides extra protection from the sun.
The helmet is durable, tough, and ASTM/SEI-certified. You can be sure that your child will get optimum protection while wearing this.
The only drawbacks reported are that it can make your head look big, and sometimes the colors don’t exactly match what was shown online.
The Troxel Liberty helmet can be purchased for about $60.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Extra length visor for sun protection
- It has mesh-covered vents to keep your child cool
Cons
- It can make your head look big
- Sometimes the colors aren’t accurate
Ovation Protege (Best Quality)
The Ovation Protege is our pick for the best quality helmet. It combines comfort, protection, durability, and style. It is literally everything that you could want in a helmet.
This helmet comes in five different colors, which is always a hit with children, and it can be purchased in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large.
The outer shell is made of protective, high-density ABS. This enhances protection significantly but does not compromise the weight of the helmet. This, accompanied by the helmet’s ASTM and SEI certification ensures that protection remains on the top of their priority list.
A number of mesh-covered vents ensure that your head stays cool and comfortable during the hot summer months.
The strap is adjustable so that it can fit each head individually, and has an easy dial fit to ensure that the helmet fits snug on your head.
Although this helmet can be worn by both girls and boys, the design does cater slightly more for girls.
Unfortunately, the visor is quite small, so it doesn’t offer maximum sun protection. But besides that, there is not much else to critique about the helmet.
This horse riding helmet can be bought at a starting price of $53, making it very affordable, too.
Pros
- It has a very sturdy and protective outer shell
- Good ventilation
- Very comfortable
Cons
- The visor is quite small
TuffRider® Starter Horse Riding Helmet (Best For Safety)
- ABS Outer Shell + Black EPS Liner
- Stainless Steel Mesh Covered Vent Slots and Coolmax Washable Lining
- Detachable Peak and Adjustable Dial for Custom Fit
- SEI Certified | Can Fit Adults and Children
- Wearable with ponytails
The TuffRider® Starter Horse Riding Helmet is one of the most protective helmets that you can get.
This TuffRider Starter helmet has an outer shell that is made from high-density ABS material. It also has a removable washable liner that helps to absorb shock upon impact.
It is a lightweight helmet that is still durable and strong and can protect your child from severe head injuries.
There is a rear adjustable dial to make sure it fits the size of your kid’s head, whether they have an oval or round-shaped head.
Additionally, there is also an adjustable, padded harness and chin strap that provide optimal security and comfort.
This TuffRider Starter horse riding helmet has front and rear vents that are covered in stainless steel mesh. These are high-flow vents that allow for maximum airflow and cooling through the helmet.
The fact that the vents are covered in stainless steel also ensures that the safety and protection of your child’s helmet are not compromised.
This safety helmet has been tested through different terrains and weather conditions and has been found to be tough and durable. It is also ASTM F1163-15/SEI Certified.
You can purchase this helmet for approximately $77.
Pros
- Very safe and durable
- Comfortable
- Good ventilation
- Adjustable
Cons
- Might be quite expensive for a child’s helmet
Children Horse Riding Helmet Buyer’s Guide
Material
The outer shell of the riding helmet needs to be made out of a material that is shock absorbent and can protect your child’s head.
The best materials would be ABS, fiberglass, or plastic that has been hardened. If the helmet is made out of any of these materials, you know it will be able to protect your child.
The inner shell of the helmet should have a soft lining so that it can absorb any shock that may occur if your child falls or gets hit on the head.
Size
The helmet size is very important, and a properly fitting helmet should be one of the top things you focus on. The helmet can’t be too big or small, otherwise, safety will be compromised.
You know the size of the helmet is correct if it fits snugly on your child’s head, and does not move around when they shake their heads.
Keep in mind that your child’s head will grow as they get older. For this reason, it is best to invest in an adjustable helmet, as it will last you longer.
Ventilation
The helmet that you choose should be well ventilated and shouldn’t cause your child’s head to overheat.
Good airflow is important, as it will keep your child calm, and help them to perform at their best.
If they start getting too hot it could freak them out a bit and they could lose focus. This can be dangerous and is something that you want to avoid.
Weight
Ideally, the helmet that you choose should be as light as possible. Children are still developing their neck muscles, so if it is too heavy, they might not be able to keep it upright.
This could lead to their head falling all over the place, them losing focus, and the situation being quite dangerous.
It is important to make sure that if the helmet is lightweight, that it doesn’t sacrifice any protection in the process.
Harness
For children, you want to make sure that the harness is preferably a clip harness, so it is easy for them to take on and off.
But, you still want to make sure that it is secure enough, and won’t be too loose around your child’s chin.
Most equestrian helmets have quick-release clips. This should be perfect for your child’s helmet too.