I started riding and taking care of horses when I was five years old. My son is 6 and already knows basic care, but a few family members say he is too young to start learning to ride. I'm eager to get him started. Any suggestions? My brother owns horses and he is a great trainer and he agrees with me, so just wondering everyone else's opinion?


Thanx

SaddleOnline Inc.

Well... I was going down to the stables & climbing fences & sitting on the back of Dad's showjumpers when I could walk, which was well before I was five. I know I was riding before I was five on lead-liners, so I couldn't tell you an age that I started.... I was competiting in the five & up rider classes on lead line so yeah....

But my theory is, if they want to ride, then it's never too young to sit them on a horse - as far as learning TO ride, I think 6 is just fine - just don't push them past what they can handle, lead them around, have them in the right position and get them concentrating on certian things - at that age, probably concentrating on one thing would be the best idea. They say the human brain can only handle a max. of two things at a time, so you could possibly get them thinking on two things - ie: shoulder's back and heels down or something like that.

Good luck to your little one!
~Sam

I cut my daughter loose[in a ring] on a 38yr old BEST pony in the whole world at 2, just because I was tired of walking.
But I wouldn't press the training issue. Kids attention span at that age is very limited. If you really want him to be taught just play games instead of trying to instruct. Bean bags on toes=heels down,on head=sit straight. Use objects[buckets,cones,poop piles] to teach steering/bending. Bean bag in bucket=steering.Simon says,standing in stirrups. Just try to keep it light and fun and they really do progress lots faster than trying to give a structured "lesson".
And if showing is on the agenda try to find little local ones that don't hold such a competitive value. He's got a lifetime of horses ahead.

Out here in the country the horse folks I know start their kids as early as they are willing to straddle a horse. One, who has now placed first at the TWH Celebration, started with her "Paw Paw" at less than two, and alot of others do the same. But as mentioned, some kids just aren't interested that young or ever, and you should never force anything!!

My boys started riding before they were born. I rode pregnant with both of mine up until 6 and 7 months. They have always been around the horses since the day they were born. My 30 year old horse is now theirs and they do great with him. They were about 2-3 when we started them on some minis my parents have we taught them to halter, pick feet, etc. everything we did they would do. They are now 3 and 5 and have absolutely no fear of them (which is good and bad). My oldest rides around the property and I still lead the youngest around. I haven't put them in lessons cause they are just not ready for that yet. I want them to enjoy it and not feel pressured to learn to much. The only things they are required to do right now is groom properly and hold the riens correctly.