How Old to Learn

OpenAir · 03-23-2010, 08:29 AM

I was a little older when I first had riding lessons, and I was terrified. I gave up and got a refund after just a couple of lessons because I kept falling off.

What would be the ideal age to introduce kids to horse riding?

ATVfan · 03-24-2010, 07:12 PM

It totally depends on the child. My niece started riding when she was 3 or 4 and she still rides today! She loves it. I think the child just really needs to love horses and want to ride.

HikerChick · 03-25-2010, 07:38 PM

I also think it depends on the child. I started at around 13 and wish I had started much earlier, as the other girls in my class were much more experienced than I and I got discouraged very quickly.

javen · 03-26-2010, 12:01 PM

I was told that kids who are eager to learn horseback riding should be around 5 to 9 years old. At that age, kids should by that time grow out of their love for horses so they can best experience on how to handle horses at this stage, with minimum supervision.

looey · 03-26-2010, 09:56 PM

I have seen some schools offer trips out to kids that allow them to get acquainted with farm life (mainly city schools of course) and do help to teach them how to ride as well. I know we had a great Warmblood at my grand fathers house that was around for years.

WileECoyote · 03-29-2010, 08:13 PM

My dad had me up on the mules when he was plowing when I was about 3 years old. Then he would put me on a pony and lead me around, letting me hang on to the saddlehorn. By the time I was 5, I was tearing around on a horse, if I could find anyone to saddle it and boost me up. Otherwise I rode my Shetland pony. I would still be riding today if I had a horse. I love to ride.

03-23-2010, 08:29 AM	#1
OpenAir Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 42	How Old to Learn I was a little older when I first had riding lessons, and I was terrified. I gave up and got a refund after just a couple of lessons because I kept falling off. What would be the ideal age to introduce kids to horse riding?

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03-24-2010, 07:12 PM	#2
ATVfan Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 41	It totally depends on the child. My niece started riding when she was 3 or 4 and she still rides today! She loves it. I think the child just really needs to love horses and want to ride.

03-25-2010, 07:38 PM	#3
HikerChick Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 69	I also think it depends on the child. I started at around 13 and wish I had started much earlier, as the other girls in my class were much more experienced than I and I got discouraged very quickly.

03-26-2010, 12:01 PM	#4
javen Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 41	I was told that kids who are eager to learn horseback riding should be around 5 to 9 years old. At that age, kids should by that time grow out of their love for horses so they can best experience on how to handle horses at this stage, with minimum supervision.

03-26-2010, 09:56 PM	#5
looey Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 75	I have seen some schools offer trips out to kids that allow them to get acquainted with farm life (mainly city schools of course) and do help to teach them how to ride as well. I know we had a great Warmblood at my grand fathers house that was around for years.

03-29-2010, 08:13 PM	#6
WileECoyote Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 62	My dad had me up on the mules when he was plowing when I was about 3 years old. Then he would put me on a pony and lead me around, letting me hang on to the saddlehorn. By the time I was 5, I was tearing around on a horse, if I could find anyone to saddle it and boost me up. Otherwise I rode my Shetland pony. I would still be riding today if I had a horse. I love to ride.