What do you think is a sensible age to take my daughter to a riding school for the first time?

Question

I have had horses all my life, I got rid of my last one 4 years ago. I am really desparate to get my daughter interested. But I think I am been a little absessed!

Also the reason I am asking is it is really important to me and I don't wan't to muck up. I really want her to love it as much as I do. I was around horses from birth really my Dad bread Arabs and I have an older sister who has always has a horse. My daughter is only 2 I am goign to take her to the shows next year and see how we go from there. Thank you for your answers!

Answer 1

I will not accept children for lessons until they are 9 or ten, because I find they are not ready to ride properly until then. BUT I am not saying you should not take your daughter earlier just that as an instructor lessons are not of as much value as just playing around with your child on a pony and letting her find out that riding is fun and not stressful. Many years ago when I still taught groups I was forced to take children as young as 3 and I noticed that they rarely continued as at that age they get tired and sore very quickly and cannot tell you that they are uncomfortable. (little legs get very stretched!) This usualy ends with the child saying they dont 'like' riding. Find a yard that does little half hour play type sessions where the children get to do games and have fun.
PS...why dont you go back to riding yourself? It sounds to me as if you REALLY miss it and that is why you want your child to like it.

Answer 2

A lot of places have a minimum age requirement, so look in to that.

I'd say 8 years old should be the minimum for actual riding lessons. It's a bit of a waste of money when they're younger than that. This is going by my experience teaching lessons and working as a counselor to kids.

They're just too small and not strong enough when they're younger. Even many 8 year olds are still pretty tiny. The kids can get quite frustrated when they can't get the horse to listen to them because the horse can hardly tell that they're up there. Plus the younger they are, the shorter their attention span...

But leading a kid around on a safe pony (with someone there to hold them up if they don't have great upper body support yet) is a way to start :)

Answer 3

I teach beginners and get a lot of youngsters. You need to clarify if you want riding lessons or pony rides. You can have your child on a pony for a ride as soon as they can sit up - but have a helmet on your child and stay close to help if they fall out of balance.

If you want riding lessons, then I have a simple rule. At about six years of age (different for each child) they can start to listen to a direction without looking at the instructor, this is a big step in child development. This is the time that they can really start riding lessons. In other words, when an instructor gives a direction the younger child will look at them first and only then attempt to do what was asked. I consider this too young - I need a child that will do what I ask - when I ask, otherwise conditions are not safe. Only when a child can do this do I let them off a lead line, and then the real riding starts.

Answer 4

At the stable where I used to work we would not take kids that were under 5 so you would have to inquire on what their requirements are. However at 5 some kids are in different stages of development. Some still do not have the strength to really do more then pony rides while others are supper agressive and ready to take on anything. So you would have to go on what your daughter is ready to do. She has to have confidence and strength. At the farm I worked at we had a shetland that is only 11 hands so he is a nice size for the kids to start on. I would look into local farms and see what they offer. I do not know where you are but around my area it is getting cold which can make it hard or not really fun for younger kids, so you might want to wait until spring when she may be older and the weather will be nicer. Best of luck and I hope your daughter grasp horses with as much enthusim as you.

Answer 5

i think this is a matter of personal opinion and theres no right or wrong answer here. My personal choice is to put a child on a pony from the minute the child can walk. Children are blessed with a natural seat and so move more freely with a horse, this in turn will benefit the child hugely later on, Just simple walking around a couple of times a week would be sufficient. Anyways i hope this helps and good luck.

Answer 6

A lot depends on her attention span and desire. Be sure to ask her if she wants to and once started if she wishes to continue Just because you like horses in no guarantee.

Pony rides on a lead line are great for all ages. 5-6 on a bareback pad ur pad with vaulting surcingle. I found 7-8 years to be the age where they were best able to focus on a 1/2 hour lesson, understand what you ask of them, and have a chance to tack up their own pony, or horse with little help. At least they can carry an English saddle. They could chose to switch to western when they could carry the saddle. By then, they'd have their basics.

Answer 7

I was started riding with my cousins leading me on the sweetest & funniest horse I have ever met like when I was 2, but never by myself. I think you should start lessons around 4-5. Remember like everone else is saying, don't force her to do something she doesn't want even though you and I (and everone else in this coulmn except the old lady who wont let her daughter ride MOST LIKELY IT WOULD BE THE PERSONS FAULT FOR GETTING BIT/KICKED/OR FALLING OFF IF IT EVEN HAPPENED , what a horrible thing to do, sorry I couldn't resist) know it is the most amazing thing ever. You can however make her try it then she will know, that is is awesome! Good luck!

Answer 8

Start her as young as you can! Find a horse who is easygoing enough that your daughter can hang on it and not have a problem.
Since she's 2 right now, you may want to start looking ASAP :) Only reason I say this is because a horse like this won't come by every day, or even every year!
The biggest thing is, how big is she and how mature is she? If she understands that she needs to be careful and quieter when around horses, she's mature enough. If she can safely sit on the horse at a walk, she's big enough to at least get the feel for the horse.
Good luck

Answer 9

My 2 y-o boy loves being around horses, also sitting on a Shetland pony's back being led around the field. Very gentle introduction, nothing scarey! Then my 4 y-o goes a little further riding, I also give him a brush to use, all very gentle, softly, softly, get them used to being around the yard, sweeping up etc. My 7 y-o has been out hacking with me on a lead rein from 5, then 5 1/2-6 y-o without a lead rein and she loves it - very confident now on and around the horses. So I think if you start introducing her to the horses now then she'll grow much more confident over the years and around 6 start riding "properly" - it's worked in our case, so I hope it does for you too. Good luck!

Answer 10

Hi I was a ridding instructor for many years teaching all ages.
Best to start lesson at around 5 years this way the child is strong enough to do some things fairly un-aided.

Many centres offer pony rides for younger children this is a great way to introduce the pony and the feel of the movement.

I aways found those that had regular pony ride progressed quicker.