Question for @beanbot2002 and Other Horseback Riders

RWS2011

My daughter, A, has been wanting to attend a horseback riding summer camp for years.  This year, it looks like we can make it happen, much to her delight!  

The question I have is this, what should we do about shoes?  I am sure much of her footwear is out of the question, but could hiking boots work or do we need to get her cowboy boots?  Then, where do you look for boots that aren't just fashion boots, but appropriate for riding?  Sorry if this is a stupid question, but not having had much experience myself, I want to make sure I am making the right purchase.

Hummingbird125

I'm sure whatever camp you choose will have their own guidelines/recommendations, but if she'll be doing any English riding she should probably get a pair of paddock boots. These will work for western riding as well, but if she's ONLY going to be doing western riding, she can also wear cowboy boots.

http://www.statelinetack.com/search.aspx?query=paddock%20boots&page=1&hits=48&facets=sltglobalgender_fct%253aChildren

How old is your daughter and what style riding do you think she'll be doing at camp?

Also - I'm jealous, I always wanted to go to horse camp when I was younger, but never got to!

ETA: tall riding boots are ideal for english riding, but they can be a big investment and might not be necessary for camp.

GoldenPenguin

The major requirements are that the sole is smooth (so no hiking boots/sneakers/etc) and that they have a low heel (to stop them from slipping through the stirrup.) 

I would think a pair of paddock boots like those @hummingbird125 linked to would be perfect!

RWS2011

Thanks for the link @Hummingbird125!  Now I just have to get over my nervousness about shopping for shoes online!  I hate dealing with returns if the size is wrong.  

A is 9, will be 10 in March.  They don't specify what kind of riding it is, but I would guess Western.  Given that we cannot afford for this to be an ongoing hobby at this point, I did not want to make a huge investment footwear!  These are the only directions given by the Girl Scouts camp she is attending, "Boots or sturdy tennis shoes:  Cowboy boots do work best; please make sure the boots have a one-inch heel, but no more than two inches."  But somewhere else, I read something about tread...  

My kid is the kind who could find a way to injure herself falling into a pile of pillows, so I want to make sure we have the right kind of shoe/boot to minimize accidents!

ETA: Thanks @BriSox81!  

I had to switch to looking the women's sizes, because the boots run small.  They suggest moving up a size, putting kiddo in a size 6, which they do not carry.  

beanbot2002

a good pair of paddock boots and jeans will do her just fine if this is her first time.

I personally like the Millstone boots for kids. They're inexpensive and durable.

beanbot2002

Oh, Millstone tends to run a little small, for instance, Bean is a 6 in regular shoes, but a 7/7.5 in paddock boots. You don't want them too tight, but you don't want the heel slipping as she WILL get blisters if they are.

beanbot2002

Oh @hummingbird125...my trainer runs an adult camp in the summer too! We usually do a long weekend, ride several hours a day and then we pick a couple of fun things to do. A couple years ago we did a wine tasting at a winery down the road and got ourselves good and shit faced each night. Its awesome. You and @brisox81 should TOTALLY come down next summer and do it with me (I can't do it this summer)

Hummingbird125

@beanbot2002 - that sounds amazing. Horse Camp 2015, here I come!

CarolinaPeach13

you can find some nice, inexpensive used paddock boots at a local tack shop! basically anything with full foot coverage and a small heel works, but stay away from steel-toed boots

psychbabe314

Check western stores (most towns seem to have one hidden somewhere), I found my western show boots for a great deal. They work well not only for when I use to show, but they also are great for dirty work as they clean easily. I would highly recommend Durango brand because they were easy to break in but also easy to maintain and clean.

If you have a local 4H club, try and contact a horse group to ask about small tack shops in the area and about where they get their own riding gear. My area threw a large used tack sale where people could get their items. My western riding outfit cost my $80, but the shirt alone would have cost me $120 if it were brand new.

Blackbird230

@beanbot2002, that sounds like an amazing camp!

beanbot2002

@hummingbird125 LET'S DO IT!!!

@brisox81 are you in??????

GoldenPenguin

beanbot2002 said:

@hummingbird125 LET'S DO IT!!!

@brisox81 are you in??????

100% YES. 

RWS2011

Thank you all for the advice!  I found a western shop not too far away that carries some paddock boots.  I think we will stop there to get a sense of what size we should be looking for, then order online.  That store is pricey!