Small person on a pony, what age?

[ChoccyJules]

Have just had a lovely morning taking DD for her first ever pony ride (until now she wouldn't even get on a donkey at the beach but the Olympics got her interested).
She is almost four and rode a miniature shetland down the lane then got to groom him.
Their next stage up is half an hour hack and half an hour lesson, so this was a one-off really. The lady leading her gave the impression that she was still a bit young for the littlies class.
So my thinking is pay for her to have a little ride like today every couple of months, to get to know the stables I suppose. Then when she's five, do people think she could start the class proper?
I rode as a child but started age seven so no experience of being a crazy Mum encouraging my tiddler!
Thanks for any thoughts about my thinking, as it were

Mine both started at 4,having a half hour lesson every week,but DD1 in particular had been asking for lessons from the age of two.I'd play it by ear,we've just been to PonyClub camp and the youngest rider was 3.Have fun and start saving.

Haha, yep, that's why am thinking every two months will do for now...the cash!

most riding schools will only take children from the age of 4 for insurance reasons

yes - my 2 big ones started at 4 due to insurance issues - DD3 is 4 in Dec and can't wait (takes out second mortgage)

The stables haven't mentioned insurance age. They've been a bit unclear about when she can start proper, as it were.

Can I ask a question about insurance too? My 6 y/o DD is starting lessons soon and I'd love her 3.5 y/o sister to have one too, just a little walk about the arena on a lead rein type thing, just the 2 of them.

Would it be very bad to fib about her age just the once and say she was 4?

She's a good size for her age and sensible....it'd just be a one off so she doesn't get too jealous of big sister. I'd not start her on lessons until she was 4 (and seemed keen, I'm not going to push her into it).

Please let me know if I'm being unreasonable!

nico - you could take her. the old age for lessons was 3 but now everyone is claiming for accidents the insurance companies changed the age
choccy - has the stables got a website, the usually put the minimum age in the small print

nicobean I think you're being a bit unreasonable. If your child is injured she'll be uninsured and the riding school could be sued. I wouldn't like someone to do that to me if I was trying to run a responsible riding school.

I'm sure you're right NightFalls. Thanks for the honesty. I think I knew I was being a bit unreasonable. I'll wait till she's 4 (and shows interest).

Ponytails, I have had a thorough look at the website and can't find minimum age. They say that the child should be able to sit unaided before joining the youngest group.