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First pony loan - how often to have a lesson?

4 replies

TherapeuticVino · 07/08/2012 15:23

Hello

I am very new to this! We have our first loan pony and my 2 DCs are very excited! My question is, if we are riding 3 or 4 times a week, how often should we book a riding lesson? DS1 has been riding once a week for about a year, DS2 is just starting. I am happy to lead them round but obviously want them to progress to being confident on their own (DS1 is when walking/trotting, DS2 not at all yet).

So do we stick to once a week? Less? More?

Thanks for any input!

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Treblesallround · 07/08/2012 16:01

How experienced a rider are you? Can you teach them? How old are they, are they ready for technical stuff or just confidence building?

When GD got her first pony aged 9 (having ridden weekly since age 4) she needed to make the transition from school ponies to a more demanding pony so had 3 half hour private lessons a week for the first 3 months then down to one a week plus Pony Club.

Depends where they are at, what the pony's like, where they want to get to etc.

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SaggyOldClothCatPuss · 07/08/2012 22:41

When they are small, IMO it's more about miles in the saddle. Experience will help a lot. If you can afford it, one leason a week should be ok, if not, then whenever you can.
Although I'm not their biggest fan, the Pony Club is good for lessons and clinics and it is relatively cheap!

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Mirage2012Olympics · 08/08/2012 08:59

Agree that with a new pony it is miles in the saddle that count.We have one lesson a week,plus Pony Club and ride 6 days a week.It depends on how amenable your pony is too.We have a new one that is trying every trick in her book to avoid working and may have to go up to 2 lessons a week to help DD2 get the best out of her.

How old are your DCs?

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TherapeuticVino · 09/08/2012 07:58

Thanks for your replies. Dcs are 9 and 8. I don't ride so am not a brilliant help to them but am happy to walk them round. We have had a few lessons a week since getting the pony but that was mainly for my benefit (knots, tack, grooming lessons) but will probably go down to once a week and look for a Pony Club near us. Thanks again.