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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

Could I have some advice please <horse ignoramous alert>

55 replies

CMOTdibbler · 06/10/2009 09:48

So, it turns out that DS(3) is a complete horse nut. We went on holiday in May to a cottage next to a stables and ended up riding everyday. Went last week again (5 months of him wittering about his favoured ponies every day wore us down), and he was riding for an hour a day - 30 mins lesson, 30 mins led walk out. Fully confident in rising trot, controlling pony himself. Was quite happy in a group lesson too.

So, I can resist his requests to ride routinely no more, but don't really know what I'm looking for in a school - although there only seems to be one that takes under 4's locally.

So, any good advice for me ? Should I buy him his own hat at this point ?

Am a bit thrown by all this tbh - I like horses, but have only ridden a very little in the past, and know no one to ask ! Didn't expect to have a horse mad child either

OP posts:
seeker · 06/10/2009 12:11

And don't forget the Pony Club!

Original poster
CMOTdibbler · 06/10/2009 12:11

If we could, I would get him a pony - would be quite prepared to learn what to do, and am good with large animals - but we don't have a paddock, and work full time so renting a field etc would be hard to manage if it required getting in the car.

I have been riding with him so far as on holiday obv it was him, me and an instructor as out of main season, and enjoying it.

Thank you all for the help

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kormaAAAARRRRGGHHchameleon · 06/10/2009 12:15

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CMOTdibbler · 06/10/2009 12:16

I'm just south of Worcester

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kormaAAAARRRRGGHHchameleon · 06/10/2009 12:28

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MookySpinge · 06/10/2009 12:59

Korma, I don't do much mucking out - except when studying for the nvq last year and I only passed that particular assessment by getting my then 9 yo to do it previously I failed for it 'over exuberant use of a shavings fork' !

kormaAAAARRRRGGHHchameleon · 06/10/2009 13:36

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GothMummy · 06/10/2009 14:26

You are so lucky, my nearly 4 year old has a pony (my old childhood one actually) and he is hopelessly disinterested most days

Definately get him his own hat. if you have a Decathlon nearby they are good for jodphurs!

Butkin · 06/10/2009 15:07

Good luck CMOT - I'll be very supportive as I love it when DCs want to ride early.

Although we bought DD a pony when she was 2 we were both already well horsed and agree that it doesn't seem best option for you.

I'd certainly go down the riding school path where he'll get lots of experience and they should have a fair range of ponies suiatable for him.

I'd definitely invest in his own skull cap (let him choose the silk cover!) and a pair of little woollen riding gloves with pimple grips (which are only 2 or 3 quid).

Butkin · 06/10/2009 15:09

I also agree with Seeker about Pony Club. We joined DD up when she was 4 and she loves going to flat work/showjumping practise, indoors over the Winter. Our Pony Club has a ride just for children on the lead rein and you can often borrow ponies or hire them from the instructor.

Original poster
CMOTdibbler · 06/10/2009 17:15

Is there a good brand of hats ? Best to take him into the agricultural shop and try them on, than to measure and order one ?

He wears leggings anyway, so I'm guessing they will do until he really wants some jods ?

Pony Club sounds scary I'll leave that until unavoidable I think

OP posts:
seeker · 06/10/2009 17:33

I would go to a tack shop and make sure the person knows how to fit them properly - it's very important to get it right. Different makes suite different heads - so I wouldn't recommend a make. Be prepared for it to cost around 35-40 quid though - this is not a cheap world you are entering!

Butkin · 06/10/2009 23:11

I agree with the idea of going to a proper tack shop - some are cheaper than others and in my area (Suffolk) some specialise in children's gear more than others.

I think DD started off with a Champion skull cap - the shop should be able to advise you though.

DD has also always worn a body protector. We got ours second hand from a friend - it should be possible to get one cheapily second hand from yellow pages etc. I wouldn't have a second hand hat but think body protector is ok for the young.

One other thought - what does he wear on his feet? You definitely need something with a well defined heel for safety. He may have some sort of boots - if not his wellies should do the job for the time being. Definitely not trainers!

Butkin · 06/10/2009 23:15

By the way Pony Club is the least scary thing imaginable! We've got three pony clubs within our sort of area and all seem great for small people. They offer all the emotional support and advice that you would be looking for. At the end of the day they are just a bunch of mums like you, trying to give their LO's a good time on their ponies.

The one we chose has the use of an indoor school over the Winter and we've found that great. They split the kids into groups of 6 for an hour each every fortnight from leading reins up to seniors and the camerardie has really got DD going because she only rides by herself (and us of course) at home.

Jajas · 06/10/2009 23:30

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Claire2009 · 06/10/2009 23:30

CMOT are you in France?

If so, Decathlon is your best bet, plenty of choice there to.

Original poster
CMOTdibbler · 07/10/2009 08:41

Boots are OK as he wears boots anyway, and they seem to be the correct shape. I found a tack shop which is convenient to us, so will go at the weekend.

This does seem far from a passing fad - he first went on a pony aged 20 months, and was first in the line for that and sat as though he'd always been doing it, and has made a beeline for all equines since.

I'm in West Midlands, and no close Decathlon - but plenty of stockists of horse stuff

Have promised to ring the riding school today. DS tells me I am to go riding too - which is fine by me

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mummydoc · 07/10/2009 08:56

CMOT - try countrywide the one at ledbury is good for hat fitting, i got 2 bod protectors for 1/4 of new price on ebay and boots i bought Dublin brand about 17 quid ( they are synthetic ) but look very nice , fit well and will be fine. agree with everyone who has said don't buy a pony , we have made that mistake - and i am still sick most days with the overwhelming responsibility of it. add to that the pony isn't quite right for us but it will break dd2 heart if i sell it ....watch this htread for more angst as winter goes on!!!!

Itsthawooluff · 07/10/2009 18:29

CMOT

Once your son has had a few lessons, we have a perfectly lovely little (11 hands) lead rein pony not doing enough work, as now outgrown. I can't sell her or loan her out because she is a family pet, a complete poppet, and has had laminitis in the past, but you are more than welcome to bring your DS along to ride her. I think I live close to you - village starting with F within 5 miles of town starting with P?

If you're interested then please CAT me.

PS I'm not a stalker or weird I promise!

Original poster
CMOTdibbler · 07/10/2009 21:51

ItsthaWooluff, that is a very, very kind offer, and I will CAT you. I live in the town beginning with P

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wellywoo · 13/10/2009 16:22

Hi there's a good website for finding riding schools www.ukhorseriderguide.com.
There's loads of schools listed and you can comment on each one - which is helpful if you're looking for one.
Liveries are on there too and riding holidays

Original poster
CMOTdibbler · 14/10/2009 12:49

Thanks Wellywoo - alas none of the riding schools in my area have any ratings.

We bought DS a riding hat on Sunday - the lovely lady in the saddlery spent 30 minutes trying different ones on him to find a good fit, and didn't mind him pretending to be a horse cantering round the shop . Apparently all the horse stuff was a bit too exciting

First lesson at the school on Saturday - he won't be impressed as it is the 15 minute tots taster one, but owner said she would assess him in that to decide if she would make an exception for him to go in a full lesson

OP posts:
mummydoc · 15/10/2009 08:44

hope it goes well for oyur son, we have decided to sell slightly stressy/fizzy pony so now back to trying to find a more suitable pony....this is taking all my brain power ....time...and a lot of heartache ....shoul dhave stuck with the pet chickens

mummydoc · 15/10/2009 08:44

hope it goes well for oyur son, we have decided to sell slightly stressy/fizzy pony so now back to trying to find a more suitable pony....this is taking all my brain power ....time...and a lot of heartache ....shoul dhave stuck with the pet chickens

Original poster
CMOTdibbler · 17/10/2009 21:10

A little update - went for lesson today, and the owner/instructor was really lovely. She recommended that he stay in the 15 minute class for a while as her lessons are quite intense (it was much more full on than the ones I watched previously) and he would be best off with that length of really concentrating than paying for longer and him just effectively having a pony ride for half of it. But it was 30 minutes of horse in total by the time they walked up to the arena and back etc, so didn't seem so short.

Lots of happy little girls around the place (they do pony days on weekends/holidays), tidy yard, and a lovely site.

Am considering booking some lessons for me too - but DS is booked in for next weekend anyway

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