My aunt wants to purchase a horse for her 9 year old grandaughter. She wants this child to start riding very soon, but isn't quite sure which breed would be best for her. Is there any difference in the temperaments of certain horses towards children? She wants a horse that is gentle and easy to train so that the child can participate in various competitions in a couple of years.

This is a great question I have a 4 year old who just loves horses but I haven't quite figured out how to introduce him to them yet. Maybe my son is a little young to actually ride one but I would love to know which one to get him on when he's finally ready.

I'm not really sure about the best breed to start on but a child can learn to ride by the time they are three or four. My cousins started out on ponies when they were two I believe. When they were six and seven they were climbing fences to get on their horses. My uncle owned a ranch and made his living providing riding lessons, boarding and trail rides so my cousins were riding all the time and practically grew up in a saddle. Most kids don't spend that much time on a horse and will need more time to learn.

There is no "child safe" breed of horse/pony. So long as the animal is a confortable size for the child and well trained its not really important if its a pure bred welsh pony or just a scruffy pony you got for free from the farmer down the road that taught three generations.

There is no "child safe" breed of horse/pony. So long as the animal is a confortable size for the child and well trained its not really important if its a pure bred welsh pony or just a scruffy pony you got for free from the farmer down the road that taught three generations.

I agree with iHorse. There is no such thing as a child safe breed. A horse will be a horse and a horse will be unpredictable at times. That's why the first and most important lesson taught in riding lesson is to pick yourself up and get back on the horse.

I would have to agree. I think that any breed of horse can have the tendency of either being gentle or aggressive. It has more to do with the training and treatment by previous owners of the horse than the actual breed. However, I believe that I might feel more comfortable with starting out with a pony for a very young child.