I want to get my child into Horse Riding?

Question

can someone tell me how I go about it?

I have no experience with horses, have never even ridden one - but I want my son to have this experience.

He is nearly 6, at what age is best for him to start riding, and do they have riding lessons, like swimming lessons for eg?

Answer 1

thts a good age. yes u can get riding lessons at ur local horse stables. it may b expensive though, maybe $30 a week? well make sure when he starts he has riding breeches, boots, and a riding helmet

Answer 2

Riding lessons are offered all over and at most barns. Google barns in your area and do some research. Prices vary alot too depending on your area, the prestige of the barn and what discipline you want.

Start by showing your son pictures of some riding (jumping, dressage, barrel racing etc.) and asking him which ones he thinks look cool and that he would like. When you ar elooking at barns to sing him up for lessons at, take him with you and let him pet some horses and watch people ride.

As far as age goes, it doesn't matter in the slightest. Some people have been riding since before they could walk, others started in their 30's and 40's. It's all up to you.

Hope I helped.

Answer 3

He is bit young But I have seen younger but they where around horses all their lives

so maybe go to your local tack store ask questions They would know most trainers in your area

Remember he has to want it I love to see young boys in it

It's usually the girls that are horse crazy

Answer 4

i warn you now. riding lessons are VERY expensive. I took them for a while. Youngest person i saw riding was the son of the owner he was 6. i think 7 or 8 is the best age.

Answer 5

You can find riding lesson stables in the yellow pages, but if possible, ask around first to find one with a good reputation.    

My youngest son started lessons at 4, my oldest at 5.  The stable we used had small and gentle ponies for the little kids.  But there's another stable in our town that puts little kids on 16 hand Thoroughbreds (big flighty horses) so be careful -- if they don't have a gentle pony or small horse  than keep looking for a more suitable stable.  

And by all means ask to see what animal he will be riding.  Finally, a good stable should let you stay and watch while he's taking his lessons.  Beware of stables that forbid the parents from watching.

Answer 6

I taught lessons over the past 2 summers.  We taught anyone who wanted a lesson.  I taught 3 year olds... of course it was pretty much just a 15 minute pony ride to get the kid comfortable with the horse... they didn't pay attention long enough to do anything else or actually learn something.  

Depending on the kid, 5 or 6 is a good age to start.  One of the best riders I ever taught was a very tiny 6 year old girl.  She was really enthusiastic about riding and she was really talented... she could do anything that I taught her on the first try.  I only taught her once a week for about 6 weeks, but in that time she learned to walk and stop and turn and sitting trot and posting trot and 2 point at both walk and trot.

I recommend calling local barns and asking them if they teach lessons for kids.  You should be able to find phone numbers for local barns in your phone book or on the internet if you search for riding lessons and your zip code.