I have a 4 year old son and he loves horsies :) He loves the movie Spirit and he has a cowboy hat that he constantly wears. I live in the city so there aren't many horses around. Is 4 a good age to introduce him to riding or at least real horses in general?

You might want to get him comfortable around horses to begin with. Horses can sense a rider's distress - and some will react very poorly to this.

Take him to a petting zoo. The ponies there are far less intimidating, and are much more used to dealing with grabby little children.

My mom made me wait until I was 11 to start riding, mostly hoping I would "grow out of it" before I hit that age. Unfortunately for her it has never happened. I went on pony rides at the fair every year. I petted the carriage horses in the park or at the parades. I read every horse care book I could find and then some. I took tumbling and dance and gymnastics which I credit with making me a more aware, better rider.

If you have the means to send him to lessons go for it. Maybe look into a day camp if he's not too young for them. I think the sooner you try the quicker you will know if he likes horses on TV, or in real life.

I think its fine at around six or so if the horse is small and the child is taught properly how to ride.

There should always be supervision however, and the horse should be very gentle and accustomed to kids :)

My girl is almost 4 and we've been taking her around the horses more frequently this year, and we'll start taking her on rides this summer. I think young is an excellent time to start.

I have researched some of the places that offer riding lessons around my area and mostly all start at 6 years old. He has taken the pony rides in the past and he just loves them. I think he can start early but slowly.