Finding the perfect horse riding helmet for your child is about so much more than just style. It’s about ensuring their safety and comfort every time they saddle up. A properly fitted, certified helmet is the single most important piece of riding gear, providing essential protection for a young equestrian’s developing head.
With so many options on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This roundup simplifies your search by highlighting nine of the best kids’ horse riding helmets, focusing on key features like safety certifications, adjustable fit systems, ventilation, and of course, designs that young riders will love. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision with confidence.
Our Top Picks for Kids’ Riding Helmets
- Troxel Spirit Full Coverage Horse Riding Helmet
- Ovation Deluxe Schooler Helmet
- IRH Equi Lite Helmet with Dial Fit System
- Troxel Spirit Full Coverage Helmet in Black Duratec
- Ovation Deluxe Schooler Riding Helmet – ASTM Certified
- TuffRider Starter Basic Horse Riding Helmet
- Adjustable Horse Riding Kids Helmet for 2 to 6 Years Old
- Tipperary Sportage Equestrian Sport Helmet
- IRH Children’s Equi-Pro Helmet
Troxel Spirit Full Coverage Horse Riding Helmet
The Troxel Spirit helmet is a top choice for its superior comfort and security. Its redesigned, deeper full-coverage fit offers maximum protection, allowing young riders to perform all their equestrian activities with ease and confidence. The low-profile design is both sleek and modern, built to adapt to a variety of head shapes.
Precise adjustment is simple with the DialFit system, a soft-touch dial that ensures a perfect, secure fit. For style-conscious riders, this helmet is available in a wide range of fun and fashionable graphics and colors, including the attractive Sky Dreamscape. The matte and glossy designs make it easy for your child to express their unique sense of style while staying safe.
Ovation Deluxe Schooler Helmet
The Ovation Deluxe Schooler is designed to be “not too much of anything, except protective.” It avoids common complaints about helmets being too hot, heavy, or uncomfortable. This lightweight, low-profile helmet is certified to ASTM standards, offering maximum safety for riders in the saddle, with a manufacturer recommended age of 12 and up.
Comfort is a key focus, featuring high-flow vents and a removable, washable liner to keep your child cool and fresh. The long-lasting, easy-to-adjust dial ensures a snug fit, while the rubberized finish and removable breakaway visor add to its practical and stylish design. The exclusive YKK adjuster clip and buckle provide a secure and reliable closure.
IRH Equi Lite Helmet with Dial Fit System
For a sporty, lightweight, and economically priced option, the IRH Equi-Lite is a popular schooling helmet. Its design prioritizes both safety and comfort, making it a number one choice for regular riding practice. The helmet incorporates a Dial-Fit System that allows for a custom fit with a simple turn of the dial.
Ventilation is a standout feature, with nine venting ports designed for maximum air circulation. This helps keep a rider’s head comfortable and cool, even during lessons on hot days. The combination of a secure custom fit and excellent airflow makes this helmet a practical and reliable piece of safety gear for any young equestrian.
Troxel Spirit Full Coverage Helmet in Black Duratec
This version of the popular Troxel Spirit helmet offers the same excellent full-coverage protection and deep, secure fit in a classic Black Duratec finish. It provides the same maximum protection, allowing riders to focus on their activities without compromising on safety. The low-profile design remains sleek and adaptable to various head shapes.
Like its counterpart, this model features the convenient DialFit system for precise and easy adjustment. The black duratec material offers a timeless and versatile look that pairs well with any riding outfit. It’s a solid, no-fuss choice for parents and riders who prefer a traditional color without sacrificing any of the advanced safety features.
Ovation Deluxe Schooler Riding Helmet – ASTM Certified
This ASTM-certified Ovation Deluxe Schooler helmet is built for the serious young equestrian. Its certification ensures it meets rigorous safety standards for equestrian competition, providing peace of mind for parents and trainers. The helmet is designed to offer a comfortable, secure fit for extended wear.
A key feature highlighted for this model is the importance of a proper fit. The product description provides a clear measuring guide to help you find the perfect size, ensuring the helmet offers optimal protection. A correctly fitted helmet is crucial for both safety and comfort, making this guidance incredibly valuable.
TuffRider Starter Basic Horse Riding Helmet
The TuffRider Starter helmet is an ideal choice for beginners, whether for riding lessons, camp, or trail riding. It is designed to be both comfortable and safe, making it a great first helmet for a new rider. Its SEI certification to the ASTM F1163-23 standard confirms it has passed independent impact tests for horse riding gear.
This helmet focuses on achieving a snug and comfortable fit. The adjustable harness and padded chin strap work together to create a solid and safe feel without causing discomfort, even on longer rides. Available in bright colors like Hot Pink, it offers a fun and protective option for young equestrians.
Adjustable Horse Riding Kids Helmet for 2 to 6 Years Old
This helmet is specifically designed for younger children, aged 2 to 6 years old. It features an adjustable, vented design that provides essential protective gear for small equestrians just starting out. The tough PVC outer shell is built to withstand the rigors of active play and riding.
Ventilation is incorporated through holes around the edge and at the top of the helmet, helping to keep a little one’s head cool. Most importantly, it is SEI certified and meets approved safety standards, ensuring that even your youngest rider has the protection they need during their equestrian adventures.
Tipperary Sportage Equestrian Sport Helmet
The Tipperary Sportage is a well-regarded helmet in the equestrian community, known for its sporty design and reliable protection. It is engineered to meet the demands of active riders, providing a secure and comfortable fit for various riding disciplines. Its construction focuses on balancing lightweight comfort with robust safety features.
This helmet often includes enhanced ventilation systems and moisture-wicking liners to maintain comfort during intense activity. While specific features for this model are not listed here, Tipperary has a strong reputation for producing quality protective gear that riders trust for both schooling and competition.
IRH Children’s Equi-Pro Helmet
The IRH Children’s Equi-Pro is designed with the young rider in mind, offering a fit and features tailored for a smaller head. As part of the International Riding Helmets family, it is built to provide dependable protection during riding lessons and casual hacking. The helmet aims to make safety a comfortable priority for children.
You can expect features that promote a secure and adjustable fit, along with adequate ventilation to keep your child cool. IRH helmets are known for their value and adherence to safety standards, making the Equi-Pro a trustworthy option for parents seeking a dedicated children’s riding helmet.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Kids Horse Riding Helmets for Safety
As a parent, I know that finding the right gear for my child is a top priority, especially when it involves an activity like horseback riding. The helmet is the single most important piece of safety equipment, and getting it right is non-negotiable. It’s not just about picking the coolest color; it’s about finding a helmet that offers genuine protection and a comfortable fit. When I started looking for the best kids horse riding helmets for safety, I quickly learned there are a few key things to focus on.
First and always foremost is the safety certification. I never even consider a helmet that doesn’t have a current ASTM/SEI certification. This stamp means the helmet has been tested to meet rigorous safety standards for equestrian sports. It’s the baseline for any helmet I’ll let my child wear. Some helmets also carry European (VGI) or other international certifications, which is a great bonus, but ASTM/SEI is my must-have for riding in the US.
Next up is fit. A helmet that’s too loose can fly off in a fall, and one that’s too tight is uncomfortable and can cause headaches. I look for helmets with a reliable dial-fit system at the back. This lets me fine-tune the circumference for a really secure feel. The helmet should sit level on my child’s head, about an inch above their eyebrows, and it shouldn’t rock back and forth or side to side when they move. The cheek pads should be snug but not squeezing. I always have my child wear it for at least 10-15 minutes in the store to check for any pressure points.
Ventilation is another big one, especially for kids who can get hot and sweaty during a long lesson. I look for helmets with multiple, well-placed vents that allow air to flow over the head. This keeps them cooler and more comfortable, which means they’re less likely to fidget with or try to remove the helmet.
Finally, I think about the style and features that will make my child actually want to wear it. A fun color or design can make a big difference. I also consider the visor type—a flexible, breakaway visor is safer than a rigid one. The harness and buckle should be easy for my child to manage, but secure enough that I know it will stay fastened. Remember, the goal is to find a helmet that is so comfortable and appealing that wearing it becomes second nature, providing the essential protection they need every time they saddle up.
FAQ
How often should I replace my child’s riding helmet?
You should replace a helmet immediately after any impact, even if you can’t see any damage. The foam inside is designed to crush once to absorb shock, and it won’t offer the same level of protection again. Even without a fall, most manufacturers recommend replacing a helmet every 3 to 5 years because the materials can degrade over time due to exposure to sweat, sunlight, and temperature changes.
Can we use a bike helmet for horseback riding?
No, you should not use a bike helmet for horseback riding. They are designed for different types of impacts. Equestrian helmets are built to protect the back of the head and the brain from a fall from a height onto a hard surface, like the ground from a horse’s back. Bike helmets are made for a forward fall onto a curb or pavement and often have less coverage at the back. For true safety, it’s essential to use a certified equestrian helmet.
What is the best way to clean a kids’ riding helmet?
To clean the outer shell, I use a soft cloth with a bit of mild soap and water. For the interior liner, most modern helmets have removable and washable liners. Check the manufacturer’s instructions, but typically you can hand-wash them in cool water with a gentle detergent and let them air dry completely before putting them back in the helmet. Avoid harsh chemicals or submerging the hard shell of the helmet in water.
My child has a very round head. How do I find a helmet that fits?
Helmet fit is often categorized as round, oval, or intermediate. If your child has a very round head, look for brands that specifically market “round” fit models. Trying on several different brands is the best way to find one that matches your child’s head shape comfortably. A good dial-fit system can also help adjust for a more universal fit, but starting with a brand known for rounder shapes can make a big difference.
Are more expensive helmets safer?
Not necessarily. Any helmet that meets the ASTM/SEI safety standard provides a certified level of protection. A higher price often gets you additional features like better ventilation, lighter weight materials, more advanced adjustment systems, and more stylish designs. The most important thing is that the helmet fits your child perfectly and carries the correct certification, regardless of the price tag. When searching for the best kids horse riding helmets for safety, focus on fit and certification first.