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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

4 year old - first lesson!

33 replies

babycorn · 10/11/2021 20:38

Just needed to share as bursting with excitement that I've booked dd's first riding lesson! I've been riding on and off for twenty years, sadly had to give up my beloved loan when I was pregnant and won't be able to ride myself for the foreseeable sadly, due to becoming a single parent (and London prices Hmm) I will be living vicariously through her!

Anyway, it's at a yard that I've ridden at before on occasion (not where I used to ride as they don't start lessons until they are older), but I just wondered if anyone could tell me what to expect from a half an hour first lesson? Booking etc all done online these days, so not really much info. I didn't ride til I was older so not much knowledge about what they do with the littlies.

Thanks!

OP posts:
AwkwardPaws27 · 10/11/2021 20:41

They'll stick her on a pony, with a leader and a helper to keep her from sliding off, & lead her round. First time will just be about enjoying being on a pony and getting used to the movement and balance Smile

LaPufalina · 10/11/2021 20:50

Ah lovely!
At our local one in Manchester they do a half hour ride out on the lead rein and let them have a short trot and teach them some basics about stopping/starting/steering.
I ride in London, so might know the venue Smile

maxelly · 10/11/2021 22:50

Ah sweet, how lovely! At that age it really varies as to how quickly they learn and how much they're able to do, and it's not all about natural riding ability ifyswim, it can be as much about how well/for how long they can concentrate and follow instructions as anything else... At my stables the littlies are always on a lead rein, they tend to split a half hour session into more of a formal 'lesson' part in the arena and then a little potter up and down the private tracks around the yard, and the proportion of each varies depending on child's mood and attention levels so for one child it might be 15 mins of each, for another nearly all 'lesson" and yet another barely sets foot into the arena, all depends on the child really! In the lesson part they work on their balance and seat (doing fun exercises like round the world, head shoulders knees and toes etc), practice holding the reins, stopping, going and steering, and also get them going on rising trot although success seems to massively vary there, some get it right away, some are stuck in the bouncy holding on phase for ages! The really key thing at that age though is to keep it fun and get them familiar and comfortable with being in the saddle, if they also get their basics sorted so they are ready to go off lead etc when a bit older great, if not then they catch up very rapidly so don't worry too much about that! So I'd hope for a child friendly instructor (+ tolerant pony!) that will incorporate lots of games, challenges, singing, learning the colours of the ponies, the names of the parts of their body and the tack etc along the way rather than just being obsessed with whether her trot is perfect! Hope she enjoys!

Original poster
babycorn · 11/11/2021 20:42

Thanks for all the advice, and the insights! It's a school lesson, but it's private so will have to wait and see...

She's had a few pony rides before and loved it, so hoping her concentration holds... need to manage my expectations now, hold back my dreams of her qualifying for the Olympics Grin

@LaPufalina it's TP...

OP posts:
XelaM · 12/11/2021 01:37

@babycorn That's where my daughter tides and has been riding for years! Your daughter will love it! They are great with kids and have the most adorable tiny ponies

XelaM · 12/11/2021 01:37

rides*

XelaM · 12/11/2021 01:41

One thing you have to be aware of (you probably already are as you've ridden there before) but a "private" lesson doesn't mean she will be on her own in the arena, just that she'll have an instructor to herself the whole time. Depending on the time of day, the arenas can get very busy. But she will love it I'm sure. The tiny ponies they put the kids on are too adorable

Original poster
babycorn · 01/12/2021 20:07

Sorry to pop back on, but just wanted to say she's had her second lesson now and is totally hooked!!! Absolutely grinning from ear to ear the entire time, desperate to go back!

I didn't have lessons when I was her age, so not sure of how often is recommended? Bank balance is telling me perhaps once a fortnight?

OP posts:
Fet2021duejuly2022 · 01/12/2021 20:11

Horse riding is so dangerous. It would statistically far safer to give her an ecstasy tablet

JayAlfredPrufrock · 01/12/2021 20:14

Oh ignore @Fet2021duejuly2022

Here starts a lifelong passion.

Mischievous12 · 01/12/2021 20:15

@babycorn

Sorry to pop back on, but just wanted to say she's had her second lesson now and is totally hooked!!! Absolutely grinning from ear to ear the entire time, desperate to go back!

I didn't have lessons when I was her age, so not sure of how often is recommended? Bank balance is telling me perhaps once a fortnight?

As often as your bank balance allows 😊 I'm glad she enjoyed it!
SilkLabrador · 01/12/2021 20:16

@Fet2021duejuly2022

Horse riding is so dangerous. It would statistically far safer to give her an ecstasy tablet
I'll run this one past school and see which they recommend...
Original poster
babycorn · 01/12/2021 20:16

I mean, I guess ecstasy tablets probably a lot cheaper... Grin

OP posts:
Mischievous12 · 01/12/2021 20:20

@babycorn

I mean, I guess ecstasy tablets probably a lot cheaper... Grin
Ah no it'll lead to heroin addiction and then you're screwed 😆 It's a good wholesome and healthy lifestyle (horses, not drugs obviously, though I'd say equally addictive)
Snoodleberry · 01/12/2021 20:20

@babycorn Grin

Fet2021duejuly2022 · 01/12/2021 20:21

I’m half joking 🤣 but it’s always a stat I found quite astonishing! I used to horse ride as a child and loved it but had many near misses (kicked in the head, stamped on, thrown off many times etc.) my sister was more into it than me and had her own horse, she had broken bones, ribs etc

Original poster
babycorn · 01/12/2021 20:28

She's pootling around on a lead rope on a Shetland, under very close supervision. I'll take my chances!

OP posts:
Fet2021duejuly2022 · 01/12/2021 20:31

I read recently about a 4 year old dying falling off a horse

Original poster
babycorn · 01/12/2021 20:33

That was a two year old at a hunt meet, if I am not mistaken...

OP posts:
Fet2021duejuly2022 · 01/12/2021 20:57

Oh Yes you're right, the 4 year old dying was a few years ago now. I think a teenager had recently been killed too. It’s definitely one of the most dangerous activities one can do anyway! Crazy as it’s seen as such a wholesome activity

Original poster
babycorn · 01/12/2021 21:10

Well thanks for raining (reining?) on my parade.

I am well aware of the risks, I have had my fair share of falls etc, including breaking a fence with my head and losing a tooth when my loan horse (16.2 thoroughbred mare, I should have known better Grin) had a 'funny turn' or five. And I know I am very lucky in comparison to a lot of people.

As it is, she's happy trundling around, it's a safe environment, on a school pony who knows it's job, so I'll take that, thanks.

You may as well compare it to car accidents!!!

OP posts:
Fet2021duejuly2022 · 01/12/2021 21:18

It’s good to be aware of risks, just make sure you get her a proper padded jacket (I had one that was supposed to help prevent back breaks which obviously worked well when I fell off). Anyways it’s just always been a stat that’s always amused me - the very idea that taking ecstasy is by far safer for children that sitting on a horse 🤣.

Original poster
babycorn · 01/12/2021 21:25

Good lord you are totally right!

Quick, get all the kids off the ponies and onto the hard stuff pronto!!!

4 year old - first lesson!
OP posts:
Fet2021duejuly2022 · 01/12/2021 21:27

🤣👏

SilkLabrador · 02/12/2021 08:35

People can die in a rich variety of ways 🤷‍♀️ the good news is that if you have horses you can't afford to abuse drugs so it's swings and roundabouts.