Own a Pony Days - What to Pack

Summer is on it's way and it won't be long before the children break up from school. Workshops and own-a pony days at their local equestrian centre can be a great way of keeping them active and entertained, but still out of your hair during the summer break. If you are packing them off to the stables for the day, here's a quick guide to what to send them with so that they don't have to miss out on anything due to having the wrong equipment.

If it is your children's first experience with horses, they may not have a full set of horse riding clothing. In this case, don't worry, quite often tight-fitting jogging bottoms, and wellingtons with a slight heel will be sufficient for the riding part of the day. Ask at the riding centre for full details, they may be able to hire you out a riding hat as well. If they become hooked, you may want to consider investing in a pair of children's jodhpurs and riding boots. Make sure they are really serious about carrying on their riding before you do this! If your child is a seasoned rider already, they may have the necessary horse riding clothing, just remind them to take their riding hat, gloves and crop if necessary.

Often, the riding is "the best bit", but unfortunately for them, there is always mucking out to be done and the not so fun, dirty jobs too! It would be wise to send them with a spare pair of jodhpurs, or jogging bottoms to change into. (Especially if they think they're getting into your car covered in it!) Also you may want to encourage them to take some alternative footwear. If your children's riding boots are fairly robust, they may well be fine to muck out in, however you don't really want them to ruin a nice pair of leather boots, so try to persuade them to take a pair of wellies, or yard/walking boots if they have any. When buying children's riding boots, especially if you know they will be helping out at the yard as well, it is often a good idea to buy steel toe capped ones, as these can help to prevent against crushing injuries from naughty ponies!

Despite it being summer, the weather can sometimes be unpredictable, so plenty of extra horse riding clothing will not go amiss! A thin summer waterproof blouson or coat may be ideal in case of rain, as may a thin pair of waterproof over trousers to protect your children's jodhpurs. You may as well pop some sun cream in as well- you just never know!

If your children have a grooming kit, it might be worth putting that in, there's guaranteed to be plenty of pony brushing involved. If not, grooming brushes make a nice inexpensive birthday present for a horse-obsessed child.

Finally, as well as all the horse riding clothing, don't forget to pack your children some lunch! You could always get them to do this bit themselves, but they will need some sustainable energy - days at the yard can be a long slog, even if they do love the ponies to bits. And the very last thing: plan some "me" time for yourself and make the most of it! It just never lasts long enough.


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