Child starting riding

GreyGoose1980 · 2023-03-01T21:50:40+00:00

DD is only one but I can’t wait for her to start riding. Please can people remind me what age children can start to ride and give me any advice you have on finding a riding school and anything else I may need to know. Thanks in advance for your help.

Kimberz · 01/03/2023 22:21

Hi.

I think its 4/5.

I was 5 when I started many moons ago.

Ideally you want a BHS accredited riding school. They'll have high standards and all the right insurances.

Our DD will start when she is 5.

maxelly · 01/03/2023 22:31

They can sit/be held on a pony from babies but riding schools usually won't take them until 3 or 4 for insurance reasons, and this will be just for a potter around on a lead rein usually. When they're ready to start 'properly' learning i.e. holding the reins, using their legs etc varies from child to child but I'd say around 4-5 is average.

I'd go for a BHS approved riding school, ideally one that has a pony club centre attached as this is great for when they're a bit older. Go and visit a few and just get a feel for what they're like, personally I don't value smartness and brand new facilities all that much but I do look for a reasonable level of organisation (a sense that someone is in charge and it isn't total chaos), healthy and not too knacked or sour looking ponies, kids enjoying themselves but being kept safe, engaged, knowledgeable teachers that aren't just bawling out the kids and telling them to pull or smack. I'd book private lessons to get her started (often schools will offer a special 'tiny tot' ride for the very little ones), eventually she can graduate to a group lessons with other kids of a similar age and ability.

Things to know, don't spend a lot or indeed anything at all on kit at first, I know it's your dream and hopefully she'll love it but there is a chance she'll prefer ballet or football and TBh if so those are massively cheaper and easier hobbies 😂 For her first few goes she can just wear leggings, a solid shoe with a block heel and a borrowed hat from the stables, they should fit this for you. At most I'd get her a pair of magic gloves that will do for winter too. If she does like it you can buy most kids things second hand online, the exception is hats which should always be bought new and properly fitted. Enjoy!

AwkwardPaws27 · 01/03/2023 22:41

Following with interest - DS is only 8 months but I'm very tempted to look for a share on a Shetland/Welsh A when hes about 18 months, for me to play ponies him to groom & have some little leadrein walks on...
Really I should just get back in the saddle myself but I'm very rusty

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2023 23:07

Under a certain age it can cause damage to their hips I think - even very short rides.

Most riding schools won't take them until four.

Japanesejazz · 01/03/2023 23:14

My children could ride before they could walk
We have a farm and our own horses and ponies
one or them is in her thirties now, her hips are fine 😂
Think I was competently riding age 3
i can’t remember it, but my parents not only confirm but have photographic evidence

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 02/03/2023 08:55

4/5 is the case for most riding schools.

Original poster

GreyGoose1980 · 02/03/2023 09:06

Thanks so much for all the advice all. I really appreciate it.
@AwkwardPaws27 I’m rusty too. I was only ever a competent novice but helped out at a yard many moons ago and would love to get back to being around horses once DD is older! Appreciate its my dream at the moment and she may prefer chess club 😂but am excited to introduce her to the world of horses!

OP posts:

Greatly · 02/03/2023 12:55

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 01/03/2023 23:07

Under a certain age it can cause damage to their hips I think - even very short rides.

Most riding schools won't take them until four.

A bit different as we have our own horses, but Dd was sitting on a pony from 18 months and was hunting on lead rein at 5. She has no hip problems, this sounds like an old wives tale.

Greatly · 02/03/2023 12:55

*off lead rein

Floralnomad · 02/03/2023 16:35

Our eldest was ‘riding’ our Shetland from about 18 months , had sat on before that age and was quite competent and moved onto an 11.1 hh dartmoor x when he was 5 . Our daughter rode at riding school from about 4 on private lessons . They had both given up by 7 which I’m quite happy about as we don’t sell on and I could have ended up with a herd ,as it is the eldest is now 30 as is the pony .

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 02/03/2023 16:52

Well - of course not all children who ride young will develop hip problems or have issues @Greatly and @Japanesejazz. Many will be absolutely fine.

But there's a reason riding schools don't take them below a certain age - because the risks and costs aren't worth it.

Obviously if you have your own horses and ponies you're free to do what you like and make your own decisions.

Greatly · 02/03/2023 17:06

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 02/03/2023 16:52

Well - of course not all children who ride young will develop hip problems or have issues @Greatly and @Japanesejazz. Many will be absolutely fine.

But there's a reason riding schools don't take them below a certain age - because the risks and costs aren't worth it.

Obviously if you have your own horses and ponies you're free to do what you like and make your own decisions.

I think the main reason is that they can't follow instructions until they are 4 or 5.

Hagridy · 02/03/2023 18:23

It’s different being old enough to make an expensive lesson worthwhile and being able to sit up on a very quiet pony and be led about. If you have your own it’s great fun to get a small pony and kids will spend more time grooming, and helping care for them than riding to begin with. They will get lots of fun from all of that even if they do have other interests when they are older.

liveforsummer · 04/03/2023 09:47

She could start now with a basket or inky dink saddle 😆. You'll not find a riding school though unfortunately. You'd need a friend with a pony or a share/loan opportunity for that. I know a good few 3 year olds with impressive rising trot ability though so never too young I say!

Mummikub · 04/03/2023 19:58

We started DD at 18m and got her own at 3.5. She's a decent little rider now at 6 and has designs on my bonkers dressage horse
Our local riding school will let them ride out for half an hour at 2/3 but advise that their insurance doesn't cover them until 4

Original poster

GreyGoose1980 · 05/03/2023 22:30

Thanks for all the replies. Hearing about everyone’s experience has been really useful.

OP posts:

MyopicBunny · 05/03/2023 23:44

Hagridy · 02/03/2023 18:23

It’s different being old enough to make an expensive lesson worthwhile and being able to sit up on a very quiet pony and be led about. If you have your own it’s great fun to get a small pony and kids will spend more time grooming, and helping care for them than riding to begin with. They will get lots of fun from all of that even if they do have other interests when they are older.

I completely agree with this. It's not worth paying for lessons unless the child is able to be fully engaged with them. Horses / ponies have minds of their own and you have to really want to learn how to get them to do what you want if you're going to progress from just being led around.

CountryCob · 06/03/2023 13:52

My daughter started late 1/2 and had her own around 4. Until 3 they can't be fitted for a riding hat and be careful squashing one on as skull is soft. Had to talk our local tack shop into fitting her a hat days before 3rd birthday as was going to a show and needed one for that to be tagged. I agree anything done too much as a youngster is detrimental for most things but a little seemed fine for us, mostly short hacks around village. Main issue is confidence and how hard it is for them to stay on if pony shakes etc, that can really but them off. I know of a really keen toddler who got put off when put on a really steady 17hh to sit up, nothing happened but put them off. I have not put my daughter on a horse ever after having young realitive constantly ask abd didn't think the horse really liked it. Keep them on steady little ponies and nice experiences would be my advice.