How to get my DD off to the right start

[annieapple7]

Hi tack room chums
Looking for some wisdom as how to get DD off to the right start in ponies. She is 5, although the size of a 7 year old. She has been on a horse since age 3, and I had an 11hh 3 yo (don't ask) last year who was lovely on the lead rein but obv at age 3, no good off it with a DD on top, who was then 4. I found him a nice home and now have access to a 13hh 20 year old pony who is apparently bombproof. DD has ridden her in a sand school a few times but off the lead rein, the pony just stops at the gate and DD is simply too small and inexperienced to get her going again without me intervening. The other option is lessons at a riding school half an hour away which costs £30 for half an hour, and I am very skint at present....any advice? How did you start your children off? What age did they go off lead rein?
Thanks

[Backinthebox]

My eyes water at the price people quote for lessons here when they are already paying for a pony. Why not join the Pony Club (about £50-ish) and go to their monthly rallies? You get the first 3 for free, then £9 per rally after that. Other than that, keep leading her around a bit more, until she gets bigger and stronger. My DD is nearly 5 and is still led around a lot. She protests loudly that she is big enough to be off the lead rein, and I do let her off occasionally, but the pony is very good. I have been told by other parents of small kids that I shouldn't be worrying about any of this, that regular 'playing' on the pony will give her the confidence to be able to learn once she has the physical strength.

[bonzo77]

I was riding at 6, on a very ancient and ridiculously large pony (about 14hh judging by the photos). Basically, I sat on him while he was lunged. Walk trot canter and small cross poles. Half an hour a week For 2 years. Occasionally led out from another horse for a little walk. Bloody loved it. After that I went to a different riding school in a different country and put on a more suitably sized pony, where I learned proper aids. But the lunge taught me how to sit and stay on without stirrups at all paces, and the usefulness of voice aids.

So, I would get the lunge line out with the pony you have access to, find another school master to lead out from and just have fun grooming, cuddling and sitting on nice old pony.

[Backinthebox]

bonzo, "find another school master to lead out from and just have fun grooming, cuddling and sitting on nice old pony"

That's what we do.

[Treblesallround]

I agree with lessons on the lunge, it's by far the best way to develop a good independent seat, but maybe not at 5. At that age I think they should just have fun on ponies, so games, walks out with you on the ground, maybe Pony Club if you have transport, and enjoy playing with the pony together, developing dd's skills and confidence with ponies.

[Callisto]

Well my DD had an 11hh lead rein pony from 4yo until 6yo and I bought her a 12hh first ridden in February. DD is now 7yo and going well. She did spend a lot of time on the lunge with lead rein pony and it really taught her to sit well etc.

I second the Pony Club suggestion. £50 a year and rallies here cost £5 for an hour every other week. There are also lots of riding schools that are PC affiliated and run rallies and camps on their own horses. I have to say that £30 for half an hour is horribly expensive. I only pay £20 for an hour's one to one with a brilliant instructor who comes to us (and I think that's pushing it, but it is value for money as DD gets so much out of it).

[Butkin]

DD started off on 11.2 at 2 1/2 and is now 9. She has a 12.1 Sec B and a 12hh Show Hunter - see photos on my MN page. We're already looking for a 12.2 show pony or 13h show hunter pony for next year.

You'll see that although she is a pretty talented rider she still rides shows on the leading rein because she still can (this is the last year she is allowed to under BSPS rules) and is doing HOYS qualifers on it.

She has been riding in shows off the lead rein from about 6. To be honest we see too many people keen to get their children off the lead rein early. Th We believe that they should be totally in control before doing their own thing.

I agree with going down the Pony Club route. Once you've joined up the lessons are comparably cheap, fun and they get to meet lots of similar aged children.

[cedmonds]

Ds is nearly 6 and is of the lead rein on a saint of a pony. He is jumping courses on her but she is a point and kick pony. He was off the lead a little bit last year at pony club camp but only walking and trotting. Pony club is the best thing for young children they get so much out of it. As for lessons i pay £10 for a private lesson on our pony at home.

[annieapple7]

Thanks for all your advice. Butkin, your ponies are gorgeous...do let me know when they are outgrown so I can loan one...
I think I am probably rushing it a bit, thinking DD is not really riding until off LR. It is bloody hard work running round and round, and difficult to teach, as I can't run and look around at DD at same time!
Lungeing could be the solution...I will ask the pony's owner new time.
It just feels like we are not making much progress really - but she must be really - she does a lovely rising trot, is full of confidence, and knows her left and right, which is a bonus at her age.
I do think I would worry leading her off my horse though...that is for the future I think!
Will look at the Pony Club too - is she not too young do you think?

[Butkin]

5 would be perfect for our PC - they start at 4. The 5yos have their own two day "mini camp" with us where they have little group lessons on the lead (or just off) in different ability rides and go on mounted treasure hunts etc plus do thei E (very basic) badge.

In the Winter the 5yos (again can only speak for our PC) do indoor jumping on the LR to keep them going and socialise with the other little ones.

[annieapple7]

DD asked tonight when she could start jumping! She is riding tomorrow and I said I would see how fast I could run to see if th pony would canter! I have looked at the 2 local pony clubs and they take from 5; there is also a riding school that does classes through the pony club so that is another option. DD has not ridden with any other children before so I am sure she would love PC.

[Butkin]

One word of advice - when she starts jumping def do it on the lead rein. Hard work for you (or DH) but means they don't have to worry about steering or remembering the course which will make things much easier for them. You can also "hup" the pony to help with the take off.

Try not to put the pony off by looking back all the time and jump with confidence yourself.

However do check your DD as soon as she lands. I was doing a WHP on the lead with DD and pony did a massive jump at the first. I was so intent on heading for the 2nd jump I didn't notice DD toppling out of the side door (she was only 5). We got eliminated and I've never been allowed to forget it by DW or the other parents watching!

[bonzo77]

Jumping on the lunge. Use a block thing not a wing on the inside end of the jump, then a pole resting on the block to stop lunge line getting caught and pony running out towards you. If the fence is tiny, pony should do it from trot which is less bouncy at first. If you're not sure what pony will do you could have a go with DD not on him first time.

[Backinthebox]

Our PC also start them young - I was told that the youngest they've had was 3 but DD started at 4 (only because I was off injured last summer and couldn't lead her though!) They also do a mini camp and have 15 four - seven year olds going this year. DD has been jumping on the lead since she was 3, our local riding centre does 'poles on the floor' clear round, with the last couple of jumps being optional and raised to about 9 inches. Last pony jumped well with a small child on her, but this pony has a technique where he manages to keep 3 feet on the ground over a fence if he thinks the child is wobbly!

There really is no need to rush them when they are so little. I've got lots of friends who's kids didn't start till they were 6 or so, and by 8 were cantering happily round 2 ft courses or more (one 8yo followed me over a hunt hedge once as I watched in horror. She was supposed to go around it. She was on her first pony, a 5 yo her mother had broken in for her the year before.) They soon get going when they are ready.

[annieapple7]

I think we need more time on lead rein probably, to improve balance and worry about riding independently later. Cor, it is hard work mind - definitely need trainers rather than wellies to run around in!