what age did you start your DC riding

[MimiLeBonk]

My horse is a rare saint. Nothing fazes him and he is driven as well as ridden. DD wants to sit on him. She's 2.5. She has a hat and boots that are just getting into fitting- I would have assistance at all times - how old were your DCs when they started?

[britnay]

My 4yo has been lead about on my pony since he was about 9months. Always one person leading pony and another holding child.
If we're just out in the paddock then I'll pop child on pony's back whilst grazing as that keeps him occupied enough that he won't move ;) Always holding onto child though.

[froubylou]

This is ds who is 2.5. Been sitting on held on since about 9 months but juSt starting to be lead around on pony. 1 holding pony and 1 holding ds. I need pony to learn how to walk on with me holding ds though.

[froubylou]

Meant to add dd been doing the same from the same age. Made no difference to her ability though really. She is and always has been a nervous rider. Even from a very young age.

Ds is pretty different though. He sits at the side of the school kicking off for his turn and declaring his sister isn't sharing and it's not fair. Think this one will be fearless and fighting for the lead off asap!

[maamalady]

DD1 had a sit on and a short lead about on friends' ponies last weekend. She will be two next month. She could have done the same at Christmas, but she was scared, so just did stroking them instead.

I imagine this kind of thing will go on for a long time, and eventually she'll either be a rider or decode she doesn't want to be one :)

[Booboostwo]

My DD sat on a riding school pony for an on lead walk when she was 4yo. Now at 5yo she's tried two lessons that included balance exercises, a bit so steering and a tiny bit of trot but has decided that she doesn't want to do more.

[kitchenunit]

DD started at 2 but just sits on and gets led about every so often (she's 3 now). I'm more keen on making sure she enjoys it than dragging her out in all weathers so we only go every so often in the sun!

[Floralnomad]

DS started at 18 months on our companion Shetland ,although he'd been sitting on him since about 12 months , he gave up at 7 yo after having a very nasty fall from his pony ( Dartmoor ) . Dd started at riding school at 4 as we only had the untrustworthy Dartmoor that was suitable and she gave up after about 18 months after falling off a few times in quick succession . DS and the Dartmoor are now both 23 !

[Lovelongweekends]

Dd1 was 3, Dd2 was just turned 2. I started when I was 3.

[mrslaughan]

DS was 5 1/2-6 and desperate to do it - is now 11, has his own pony, no rides at least 4 times a week...his favourite time was over Xmas when he had two ponies to ride and rode 6 days (so 12 rides a week).
DD started when she was 5 at a riding school, loved it, started riding DS first pony who was probably a bit much for her and got put off. She is now 6 1/2 and is desperate to try again so am on the hunt for a lead rein/first pony.....

[Butkin]

We held DD on from when she was tiny but she got a pony for her 2nd birthday and was riding independently (on the lead rein) soon after. Although she started quite early we left her on the lead rein much longer than many of her contemporaries but that is probably a showing thing..

[Owllady]

Mine were all 3 or 4

[MimiLeBonk]

Thanks all so much for your replies. I think hopefully we are going to have our first sit on next weekend. I hope she has a wonderful relationship with horses like I did and do. I'd much prefer she spent some time in the great outdoors rather than in front of the screen all the time. She already gets very excited when ever she sees a horse.

[Butkin]

The little girl who won the lead rein class at Suffolk Show last week is only 3!