First riding lesson

[ineedapoo]

DD had first riding lesson today. She is 6. Booked a lead rein group lesson. They knew she hadn't ridden before and took her out on busy country lanes for 45 minutes. I was surprised

[Knickers0nMaHead]

yanbu. Very dangerous imho.

[Romanarama]

I would have thought that was illegal. My boys go to pony club in Italy (not known for being v. law-abiding), and they're not allowed out on public roads (inc country lanes) until age 14.

[Pyrocanthus]

I don't think it's illegal, but it's certainly not a riding lesson.

[mumsydoodle]

Was this a lead rein from a teacher on horseback, or from someone on foot? Either way, certainly no lesson, but I don't think illegal, just unwise, and risky. My children spent ages in an arena learning basics blah blah before going out and about.

[ineedapoo]

it was from an instructor on foot. Group of 8 each with somebody to lead

[IrishDraught]

dangerous IMO. Led or not, if a horse spooks (very likely on roads) a handler isn't going to be able to do much. They should be in an enclosed school with the gate closed. How can they possibly instruct correctly? Sounds like a tourist trek.

[PinkTulips]

change riding centres IMMEDIETLY

i would not send my child back there under any circumstances, it's dangerous and extremely stupid.

[ineedapoo]

mmmm think we will go elsewhere. website said approved etc etc

[dogonpoints]

Doesn't sound like any lesson I've seen.

[ineedapoo]

worth complaining

[cktwo]

There's a riding school near us that does lessons like this. The theory goes that the children are better learning to ride, rather than go round in a circle. I took my 4yo and she loved it and personally I didn't mind either. The horses were good, the staff where excellant and I didn't get any bad feelings.
But if your gut feeling is that's its wrong and you're uncomfortable with this style of teaching, then find somewhere else. No point worrying about it, just switch riding schools.

[dogonpoints]

Not sure about that theory, ck, but it's interesting.

Extremely labout intensive and extremely costly if you have eight trained instructors leading horses rather than one in the middle of an arena where everyone can see everyone else.

[cktwo]

I'm not sure either, I'm just passing on what was told to me.

[GColdtimer]

Point is you booked a lead rein group lesson. Which isn't what your daughter had so I would be questioning the school and probably talking to them.

did they come personally recommended? i would personally (after a couple of bad experiences) not use any riding school that didn't come from personal recommendation.

[dogonpoints]

I agree with that twofalls. dd1 has had some very poor lesson experiences and now goes to a fabulous place, recommended by a friend

[Fruitbeard]

Is this place in Essex, next to a pub with the same name as the riding school?

I only ask because they are notorious for doing this, we were forever coming across their crocodiles in the forest, wibbling all over the pathways, small children unable to control their mounts, rearing, running off, spooking other horses, absolute nightmare.

If it is the same place, do let me know cos I can recommend 2 very good establishments nearby that are extremely stringent in establishing ability before they let you out of the school.

[cktwo]

OMG
That sounds horrendous, not at all like the one I've been to. There were only three children, my DD was on a lead-rein and also I was with her, as well as the instructor. If I was at that place, I would never go back.
Is this place affiliated to any organisation? If so, I'd be calling them to check their criteria.

[victoriascrumptious]

A child year old child can't really get anything from a riding 'lesson' fgs. Their little arms are too weak and their little legs are too short. Having the wee child on a lead-rein with an adult on foot is safe as it gets.

[dilemma456]

Message withdrawn

[ineedapoo]

no not in essex but thanks for the offer. Victoria did not expect her to come out riding fgs but expected her to be safe

[MANATEEequineOHARA]

Victoria My two have been riding since babies and have got a lot out of it lesson wise (I used to be an instructor) from about 2-3. ALso dd was having lessons on shetlands at just turned 2. A 6 year old could definitely be having lessons.

As far as learning in a menage vs riding out, my dcs have done both, and prob learnt more from lessons in a menage than hacking. Although once you have covered the basics, hacking is a good way to get more confidence.

I think it was wrong of them to take a new rider on busy roads, and also, they were not giving you what you asked for! Some riding schools are utter rubbish.

[GColdtimer]

I learnt to ride at 5 but also on a shetland pony. Also, lessons at this age are about them getting a feel for being on a pony and to gain some confidence and the best place for them to do that is on a rein but in a school. Not out on a hack.

Nothing wrong with group lead rein lessons for a 6 year old ineedapoo. I would try and get some recommendations for other schools but also talk to them about why they did this when you booked something entirely different.

[victoriascrumptious]

You wanted her to be safe on a back of a horse? It's all risk isnt it?

I think you're worrying too much

[dogonpoints]

ah victoria, you sound proper horsey

[ineedapoo]

victoria. I know the dangers of riding I rode and had horses through out my childhood. In a menage is far safer than on the roads what would have happened if DD had freaked 1 mile away from the school surely that puts them all at risk