Gizmo

Hi,

I was just wondering when you are starting to introduce your children to horse riding?

We started with our daughter at the age of 4, and she started riding these small ponies. It was a great start for us and it has helped her move on to larger horses as she grew.

cherokeemyluv

I didn't start riding till I was an adolescent, but several of the people I took lessons with started when they were quite young, on the family pony. The only problem I have with starting children riding young is they often think they are "better" than those who started later because they have ridden longer, regardless of their actual riding level. There is also a huge push to do harder tasks based on how long a child has been riding, and I don't condone the fast track to jumping. Just because your ten year old wants to jump and has ridden for six years doesn't make her ready, even if her horse can handle it. I'd like to introduce my kids (should I ever have any) to horses young with all the proper precautions (hard hats always when around horses for kids). But I am very stuck in groundwork and lots of schooling before they get to jumping or hard stuff. You have to learn to walk before you can run.

Speed Demon

No children yet, but I am planning on starting them out young with riding.


Of course i'll start them out with something small like a pony, and move up from there. Proper precautions should always be taken as well.

Hudsons Bolt

I don't remember when I first sat on a horse, but I think I was really nervous / scared because of the height and because it was really new too. Then again, that was many years ago too. Nonetheless, it's different from person to person as well.

One More Lap

I'd say it depends on the background of your family, the confidence you have in the horse, how comfortable the child is, how calm the child can be, and how mature both the child and the horse can be really.

sallyanna

at the same time, hopefully in the late spring or early summer. They'll be 11, nearly 7, and nearly 3. I don't know how much I'll do with the three year old but the other two will get lots of time and lessons.

I don't think it matters much what age. I've heard of kids riding at very young ages. I don't think I'd be comfortable with younger than about 4 or 5 alone though, but that may be because I've had very little experience with horses.

PonyClub

We're actually just starting my daughter, and she is seven years old. I am still a little hesitant that she is too young, so I don't know how you coped with a four year old!

postit

Lots of little kids ride. At that young an age its normally on a leadline with an adult leading the horse. Their little legs just can't steer a horse well enough to be safe. Somewhat older kids are more than able to ride a pony by themselves under supervision. The most important part is a helmet and protective clothes such as long pants, boots and a shirt.

moski

Are the mini ones (shetlands) the best to introduce a small child to? I remember some being around when I was younger, but they were huge and scared the daylights out of me.

Timberlake

I think it is great starting with kids when they are young. In the beginning you should just let them look at the horses, see other kids riding them. This will make them comfortable with the horses, and after some time you should let them ride, of course with someone leading the horse.

Always make sure the children have someone to lean on if it gets too tough for them. I always believe in slowly progress and empowering the children, making them comfortable. I would never force something like this on my kids, but most love it if it is done right.

Horse Fanatic

I started with a pony myself, when I was about the age of six or seven.

Not sure exactly when I started on an actual full-grown horse, but I was in my teens somewhere.

I would never suggest starting a young child on a horse by him or herself, unless you plan on accompanying them for the ride.

There are many things that could go wrong, and somebody has to be there to watch out for the kid.

charley

For me I know I was very young. With everything I was scared. I notice though that with myself and watching other children ride that the younger the better because they get used to it before they start to develop fears of things. I was scared of bigger animals and I was around more horses than large dogs and I am still a little wary of the big dogs but horses don't even phase me.