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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

First riding lesson for DD…

10 replies

HopelesslyNaive98 · 31/10/2025 10:58

What do I need to know?

DD is 5 next week, and has her first riding lesson at a local yard. She absolutely adores horses (we live rurally so she sees a lot of them!) but is quite nervous about actually riding. I have spoken with the instructor and she can do as much or as little as she feels comfortable with.

I’m not horsey so have no idea what I’m doing!

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maxelly · 31/10/2025 12:16

Don't worry - trust the instructor, stay calm yourself through any wobbles your DD has and you'll be fine.

Clothing wise she needs to wear trousers or leggings (not shorts or a skirt), shoes with a block heel (not wellies or trainers) - the stables may have boots they can lend her. A waterproof jacket ideally not a puffa type is a good idea with enough layers that she doesn't get cold, and gloves are a good idea (thin wool /cotton ones like magic gloves). I assume the stables will be loaning you a hat for her to wear? The instructor will fit this before she gets on the pony, be aware that it needs to be reasonably tight fitting to do it's job, it won't protect her head if its loose and wobbling around, but it can be a common complaint from sensitive little ones that the hat is too heavy or hurting their head - they get used to it though!

For her first time the instructor will have lead rein on the pony at all times so they will be full in control of the pony, very safe and controlled environment. They may ask you to walk alongside her as well so have some suitable footwear for yourself. I expect for a first lesson they will do a short formal 'teaching' session in an enclosed arena with a soft surface (what in horsey parlance we call a 'school') where they show her how to hold the reins, how to communicate with the pony using her reins/hands and legs - i.e. the basic commands to stop, go and turn. If she's feeling confident she may have a short go at trotting while holding onto the front of the saddle which is faster and bouncier - some DC love it and some don't like it at all! Don't worry either way.

Once she's getting tired and/or reached the limit of her concentration they will probably go for a little walk around which may be more like a pony ride, possibly outside the school area. To keep her engaged they may play little games or learn other thing about the ponies, e.g. their names, their colours, what the names of the parts of the saddle and bridle are, or they may just have a little chat about whatever she wants to, or maybe if she's shy she can just enjoy sitting on the pony and looking at the view etc!

Good luck, hope she enjoys and be aware if you've got yourself a pony girl there be prepared to spend all your time and money for the next 15 years on ponies!

HopelesslyNaive98 · 31/10/2025 19:20

Thank you so much, this is really helpful! I’m not expecting huge things from her. She’s quite shy and can get a little bit overwhelmed by new experiences so it might take her a while to warm up but she loves horses so I really want her to at least have the opportunity!

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Balloonhearts · 31/10/2025 19:35

How to say no. As the only thing you're likely to hear for the next 10 years is 'can we get a pony?' 😆

It'll be very low pressure. She'll be introduced to the pony who she will be riding, go over some safety rules for interacting with the horses and ponies and be shown how to pet them, probably be allowed to give her pony a small treat and told who is safe to approach and who not to.

She'll be fitted with a hat if she doesn't have her own and they'll get her on and teach the basics. How to hold the reins, how to get the pony to stop and how to ask him to go.

They'll practice this a few times on the lead rein and then start on how to steer left and right. She may be allowed to walk round off the lead rein at this point, depending on the temperament of the pony.

We usually end first lessons by putting them back on a lead rope with either the instructor or an assistant/older child as a runner and give them a little try at trotting if they want to, so they get a feel of it.

They usually come off beaming from ear to ear and, if the pony doesn't have another lesson right after, are allowed to walk the pony back to his stable with an adult who will then explain the names of the tack and what its for as they take it off the pony. We finish with a pat and a treat for the pony.

She'll need to wear close fitting clothes, nothing loose and flappy. Long sleeved T shirt and leggings would be perfect. Have a jumper over if it's cold. Her shoes need to have a bit of a heel and come up over her ankle. If she has mid calf boots for winter, those would be good. Don't put hair up or use clips as it will make the hat uncomfortable, a low ponytail is ideal.

For yourself, wear sensible shoes as the ground will likely be quite muddy in places and most schools are sand so if she wants you walk with her, you can. Coat you don't mind getting a bit mucky as horses are curious creatures and can be grabby sometimes.

Balloonhearts · 04/11/2025 19:34

HopelesslyNaive98 · 31/10/2025 10:58

What do I need to know?

DD is 5 next week, and has her first riding lesson at a local yard. She absolutely adores horses (we live rurally so she sees a lot of them!) but is quite nervous about actually riding. I have spoken with the instructor and she can do as much or as little as she feels comfortable with.

I’m not horsey so have no idea what I’m doing!

How did her lesson go?

Cece92 · 04/11/2025 19:37

Just don’t panic lol! I’m nervous around horses but myDD12 loves them and has been riding 3 years even now I’m always worried when she’s on she’s had a few falls but never let it put her off. If it happens please don’t panic it will panic your wee one. Definitely warm clothing for you both and gloves for her. Get ready to record my DD uses me as a videographer I recently bought her a camera for her helmet xxx

HopelesslyNaive98 · 04/11/2025 22:04

Balloonhearts · 04/11/2025 19:34

How did her lesson go?

She loved it. I was really impressed with how brave and independent she was. Happily got on with everything with us watching from afar (I don’t know what I doubted her, that’s exactly who she is at ballet/tap and school but she can be very nervous about heights and gets a bit anxious about new things.) The instructor was just the right type of cheerful but no-nonsense older horsey lady.

She was sitting on a pony within 10 minutes of getting to the yard, and happily plodded about in the school learning the basics. I was super impressed that she even dismounted straight off her pony from much higher up than she’d normally consider an acceptable distance from the ground!

Same again next week it is then 😬

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Balloonhearts · 06/11/2025 16:51

That's great, glad she enjoyed herself. I love the first timers, they always come off grinning ear to ear.

maxelly · 07/11/2025 11:14

So glad she had a good time! Sounds like you might have a little addict there!

RedPony1 · 10/11/2025 12:21

I'm glad she loved it!! has she had another??

HopelesslyNaive98 · 10/11/2025 21:41

She has another lesson tomorrow. Hoping she still loves it - trying not to live my childhood dream vicariously through her but failing a bit 🤣

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