Cantering ?

[roseyposeysmum]

Just after a bit of advice please.

My dd is 5 and has been riding a year, she started off with lessons and after a few months and seeing how pony crazy she is we took out one of the school ponies on part loan for 4 days a week . My dd is now riding him 4 times a week and one lesson a week with her instructor (who is brilliant and my dd adores).
For her age she is a brilliant little rider and everybody who watches her says how good she is, she can walk and trot on her own off the lead rein and she can control her pony really well (he is a 10hh Shetland pony so can be a little stubborn sometimes) she has had a few little strides of canter with the riding instructor by her side and she is dying to start doing it by herself, she can stand in her stirrups in both walk and trot and it really solid with her balance. The instructor is brilliant with the kids but is well known for a being a little bit soft with them. The owner of the yard and several of the liveries have said she is ready to canter and we should get her moving but how do I say this to the instructor without sounding like I am pushy mum (I really am not) and I am not a mum who thinks she knows best, I do know about horses and I know how to ride but not about teaching kids and am the first to admit it.
I just wondered if this was a long time to get a child up to cantering, I love the slow way she has been built up and she is a really solid little rider for it, but it does feel like in her lessons especially she is just trotting around in circles and not being bought on.
Thanks for any opinions or advice.

My dd started riding at nearly 5 ,she had a private 30 minute lesson at a school and the occasional plod round on our pony. She was definitely cantering within 3/4 months of starting lessons as she had given up riding by 6/7 months after she started .

It does seem like quite a long time. DN has been having one lesson a fortnight since April, and he has been cantering, albeit on the lead rein for the last few weeks. I would just ask the instructor. I don't think you will come across as pushy.

I would talk to the instructor, find out what her plans are for your DD......maybe there is something about your daughters demeanour which is making her not push her.

My son has been riding 2 years and is only beginning to canter, but that is about his confidence, which he looses really easily, so we have worked at his pace. He is a far better rider than many of the girls that throw their ponies into canter, haul on there mouths, but feel they are great riders because they are cantering......I would far prefer a great seat and independent hands, and control over the situation.

maybe this instructor knows something about this pony? at 5 she is little and maybe the little shetland gets strong in canter......it could be anything.

It could be many many reasons, and the only way you will find out is by talking to her. I also hold very little store in what other people, who are not teaching a particular child, have to say, as they don't know that child as well as her RI. So talk to her, talk about riding goals, and work out a plan.

She is 5 years old, just let her have fun. She could lose her confidence really easily at this age and riding is supposed to be fun anyway. She'll canter when she's ready. .

Is it her own pony or a school one? If instructor doesnt know pony well and know how he is to canter she may be reluctant to push on, maybe send dd to a riding school for a couple of sessions on schoolmasters taught by someone who knows the ponies inside out?

He is a school pony that we loan and is a little darling. I think i will just have to ask what her plans are for my dd. she has loads of fun and enjoys the on the ground stuff as much as she does riding and she loves her boy more then anything I just don't want her trotting in circles forever and getting bored.

In that case, I would expect her to lead/run the pony into canter with her, holding on to dd's leg for security. I usually give kids a taste of canter once rising trot is established, even if a few strides, so they can see what the next goal/aim is, with good pony and experienced instructor it is easy to control pony and child. Or are there weekend sessions on offer with leaders to do the running!