What is the point of horse riding lessons?

[lljkk]

Please try to take this light-heartedly...

DD just started lessons. Other "Fun" things are FAR cheaper. Other organised activities I see the point: it's varied and social and fun (skating, Brownies), it's a valuable life skill (swimming) or there are obvious ways to measure improvement (Judo grading, music exams).

But horse riding... meh, it's not like she's got a goal to work for or even a friend's pony she could occasionally borrow. It's not an essential life skill or even one she's likely to ever use much.

So, you horsey lovers, can you persuade me to think differently?

[ApplesinmyPocket]

It's enormous fun and if you are lucky your DD will take to it and be mucking about with ponies wearing old jodhs with a smudge of dirt on her nose long after all her barbie-doll-dressed boy-obsessed 12-going-on-18 friends are driving their mothers mad.

It's good exercise and she will develop a fine pair of thighs.

Also if she gets to do a competition or two you may be able to relive your youthful longing to plait manes and tails and win a Rosette (after you read all the Jill and her Pony books) - this was why I myself became, somewhat reluctantly, a pony-mum (and now am stuck with the damn pony years after DD took off for university.)

[ApplesinmyPocket]

The ponies won't be wearing old jodhs, oops!

[MitchyInge]

It's fun and incredibly emotionally rewarding doing anything with horses while the riding itself is good for motor skills, balance, coordination, independence, confidence, general physical fitness. Good way to meet people from various walks of life and make friends, achieve goals, overcome fears, compete. Am struggling to come up with a comparable activity, it's absolutely a skill for life - especially when we run out of oil and have to go back to the original 4x4

Am sad that my youngest has given up cello since getting the pony but she still goes swimming and does other things - it can get a bit all consuming can't it

[OrmRenewed]

"it's not like she's got a goal to work for "

And?

It's expensive because owning and looking after horses is very expensive.

My DD will never own her own horse - but she loves riding. If you want a goal to aim for - she could join a pony club and learn to care for a horse and various other things... bit hazy on the details...

[skihorse]

You learn to be pragmatic, sensible and basically "not an arsehole". Nothing will put you in your place faster than a Shetland.

[PlanetEarth]

As a horsey mum with horsey daughters, I'd say there's no point if she isn't keen, yes she may as well do something else. But for those of us who are truely horsey, nothing else compares!

[SpiderObsession]

Rolf at skihorse. Shetlands are incredibly good at commanding respect.

She'll learn about, and get, good posture while having ENORMOUS FUN! She'll also learn about how the lightest touch can control a large animal.

Developing strong stomach muscles and thighs help with PE at school.

She can also work towards British Horse Society exams which will be very good for her self esteem. And if you send her to Brownies too then she'll be able to get her Brownie "horse" award.

[seeker]

If she sticks to it, it takes their minds wonderfully off boys and make-up and drink and worse in the teenage years!

[Alicetheinvisible]

TBh, it is just another hobby, a very expensive one, but as well as the benefits listed above, the biggest ones for me are:

1. Something we can do as a whole family
   
2. Very good at making children do their own risk assessment
   
3. If still doing it as teenagers, it takes a lot of time up, which means you have a lot better idea what your teenage daughter is up to after school and weekends.

[starshaker]

I kind of think the same as op but my dd loves it (as do i) Its fantastic for her confidence and who knows maybe further down the line she might want to work with horses. Its great for teaching them concentration and having to listen to what she is being told (not dd's strong point). As long as she is enjoying it i will continue to take her. Just wish i could get back on lol

[Alicetheinvisible]

Tell me about Starshaker!

[drloves8]

can i add it will also teach your dd about reponsibility and care ...because she will have a responsibility to look after the horse/pony (even if its just a brush and blanket after a ride).will she be taught to groom as well or just riding?

[helyg]

For me, the best thing about my 4yr old DD having decided that she would rather have riding lessons than ballet lessons as her firends do is the fact that she doesn't have to wear sickly pink But that's just me...

At the end of the day it is just another hobby, and an expensive one at that, but I like the fact that it is outdoors and as they get older they learn about taking care of the horse etc.

[Alicetheinvisible]

There is also a lot of potential for a career out of horses.

[whatwasthatagain]

Helyg - jods are availabe in sickly pink . Riding is a fantastic life skill - imagine being invited by someone to spend a weekend at their country pile and being able to pop up on horseback to go out for a ride. And oh the smell of a warm horse on a summer's day. And of course horses are the most beautiful animal on the planet. In fact, I can't think of a reason not to ride.

[CMOTdibbler]

As a new rider, what I have noticed since starting lessons is that my core stability and balance has improved dramatically.
You have to pay careful attention to a series of instructions, and then coordinate your hands, legs, head, bottom and feet to communicate to a large animal that you want to do all those things.
If she goes to a riding school which is a pony club centre, she can do their awards without owning a pony, and there are often events at the riding school to compete at, giving her something to aim at.

Personally, I get a huge sense of acheivement every week as I find I can do things just that bit better each time - theres so much to concentrate on theres always huge room for improvement

[PlanetEarth]

Whatwasthatagain - are you serious? At age 44 I'm still waiting to be invited to someone's country pile!

[lljkk]

Pony clubs and invitations to country piles are a bit scarce around here, too, alas!
Ta 4 replies.

[MitchyInge]

Are country piles what you get from perching on damp concrete mounting block for too long?

[oldernowiser]

Actually, we all need to be able to ride as otherwise how will we cope when carried off or rescued from danger by handsome man on gleaming charger (thinking Mr Darcy/attractive pirate type scenario). It wouldn't do to fall off, so very important social/romantic skill for girls (and obviously boys have to be able to ride otherwise how do they manage the gleaming charger in the first place?)

[Pixel]

What if she has her sights set on an acting career? There are plenty of films (historical and the like) where it would be an advantage to be able to gallop about looking gorgeous. Better get her some side-saddle lessons to be on the safe side .

[Pixel]

Oldernowiser, when girls get rescued by heroes on chargers I notice they tend to leap up on to the back of the saddle with a single bound, despite their flowing skirts/hair etc. Not going to happen here. The hero would probably spend ten minutes trying to heave me into the saddle and then gallop off cursing.

[whatwasthatagain]

Look you lot, I have this vision for my DD that she will be invited to grand houses, walk elegantly down the sweeping staircase, sit at the piano and play a concerto, join in an evening jazz session on the clarinet, ride to hounds the next day and rustle up a brilliant scrambled egg on the Aga. We can all dream ........

[Alicetheinvisible]

Well, that is what my life is generally like, it is quite hard work though...