Good Age to start with lessons???

[mickeyfan3]

Hi all -

My mom had taken me riding starting at 6 months of age, and was on ponies, friends horses, etc ever since I can remember, plus horse camps starting at 7 or 8.

My niece is turning into quite the little horse freak and wants to do shows next year by herself instead of lead line. She'll only be 6 on Valentines Day and is tiny, so I'm thinking she might be a little young for all that yet. Any different opinions?

She doesn't have her own, but rides mine or my friends mare once in a while. Her mom, who's leery around them but likes them, is willing to bring her out once a week to build up her confidence and foster that love. My brother, who unti lBarbaro thought horses were stupid, is even all for it.

I've got some people telling me to wait until she's 7, others saying do it now, and others saying wait until 10. At her age I had no fear and just coudln't get enough time on them.

Thanks!

[cutiepiepmu]

I say go for the lessons as long as she will be on an older, fully dead broke horse who will take absolute care with her. Don't cause fear from an accident. I would also make sure that the trainer you use specilizes in the younger kids and can make it fun and also help her learn more than just climbing on and going forward(groundwork, proper handling, brushing, picking feet, ect.) I grew up on horses - literally - We have pictures of my papa(grandpa) with one of the infant carries that goes on your chest on with me in it, while out moving cows lol. I got my first pony at age 3 and my first full size horse at age 5. He was WONDERFUL - a 29 year old appy stallion who had been a national cutting horse and had more training than God himself I am pretty sure! he took such good care of me and taught me infinate amounts. He was a wonderful confidence builder.

IMO if you can get this little girl into a program that will foster her, teach her, and grow her confidence then go for it!

Sara

[atticus]

I ditto Sara, I taught kids lessons and day camps forever and as long as they have a great horse the child will learn tons! My first horse was a 35 year old QH who was a total babysitter, she was great and I learned tons as well as having a great time with her, she was so fat and slow it was like riding a couch, but was awesome for a kid.

[swissgrl]

I started vaulting when I was about 6 or 7, then after about 2 years of that, I went into actual riding lessons, but the vaulting helped a lot with balance and confidence.
I would definitely get her into lessons if they have a good babysitter horse. Don't think it's to early.

[TashGaia]

My friend's son is only 5 years old and very small... but he started riding earlier this year and he is doing wonderfully. He loves it and styles himself after Zorro. He has excellent balance and seems to have taken right to riding like he had been born in the saddle. I am supposed to be watching for a horse for him this coming year.

[sassiedogtk]

Lessons are great, give them a try and she how she likes them. My daughter has been ridding since she was very young. At the age of two she got my old drill team horse and had lots of fun. Then at the age of 5/6 we got her a really nice Morgan and she fell in love with him. Now at the age of 9 she is in vaulting, dressage & just started jumping 2 wks ago. She is horse crazy. I also have a 5 yr old son and he just doesn't have the interest she does 10-15 min riding and he is done. He did do the vaulting for about 3 mo. and really liked that but then decided he wanted a break. He loves our horses but right now riding just is not his thing.

[Admin]

My daughter was jumping by that age in lessons.

Just make sure she is supervised, with a good instructor and horse at her level.

[caryn]

Hi Stace,
If you need a horse for your niece to ride, you can give her lessons on Miss Dream anytime you like It's a bit out of your way. Dream and Sterling are up near Morgan Territory, but she's perfect for a kid. Dreamy will take wonderful care of your niece and enjoy doing it. Give me a call either way, we need to hang out more

[Tate]

Dec 30, 2008 9:29:26 GMT -5 atticus said:

I ditto Sara, I taught kids lessons and day camps forever and as long as they have a great horse the child will learn tons! My first horse was a 35 year old QH who was a total babysitter, she was great and I learned tons as well as having a great time with her, she was so fat and slow it was like riding a couch, but was awesome for a kid.

Still to this day, that is my type of horse....they are worth their weight in gold.lol

[tireddog]

Stacey, I started riding lessons at age 3. Like everything, I think nothing should be written in stone and that age-related milestones are simply benchmarks for assessing age-appropriateness for individuals. I think it all depends on the individual - child, young adult, middle-age mama, or senior grandma. I think the more positive, safe experiences your niece has now on a horse (if she is ready, willing and able), the better prepared she will be for so much in her future, beyond just horseback riding. I say give the girl her dream!

[mickeyfan3]

Hey guys, thank you, I was out of town!!!

Alyssa spent Friday night with us and was TICKED OFF That mommy forgot her helmet. She needs a good riding helmet anyway, so I need to find a good one....even used. If anyone is local and has a teeny kids helmet or one of those adjustable ones.....let me know. (not one that's taken a spill though)

She has no fear, but is learning respect and pays attention. I think she's ready. I was cleaning Reno's feet and had showed her how to properly walk behind a horse. She decided to practice on Reno when I wasn't looking. But she did it exactly as I'd shown her, which is good. And she likes to walk him around by herself - again, not just giving her free rein but teaching her how to handle him. Reno's a good babysitter - but something slower and lower to the ground while she gets her seat would be better.

Caryn - I'll have to take you up on that...maybe I can get my sis in law to meet us out there once a week or every couple to at least get her started, so it's not as far for her to come to Livermore.

She wants to do the Roosters Haven show again, and I can't remember if the leadline was 6 and under of 5 and under, she she'll need lots of practice!