whatsa Always, for DD. However, we live rurally and her best friend lives on a farm, so her earliest memories are running over the field from our house to theirs, to collect eggs, watch lambs being born (or die, she's very matter of fact) and hopping on and off ponies.
So, she was riding early, but never showed any interest in doing anything other than hacking until about aged 10, when she fancied mounted games. That's our main event, and the thing that takes up all her time, and mine!! And money... (but that's another story).
So, we've gone from loaning an old and grumpy pony at the farm, to a solid, calm but not massively speedy pony, who to be fair, will jump anything you point at it, to our new, super speedy out and out games pony, who will also do a super huge buck every so often. (I suspect his back hurts, but we have only had him a week, I need to get back and saddle checked). Which is kind of what I meant but girlie said so much better, DD can handle it, she laughs, she's not frightened, she's 'brave' as girlie says, independent etc, not phased.
And so, we've gone from this, to going to HOYS next month!
Do you have a horsey background? Helps a lot! A little Sheltand for a lawn mower would be ideal 