| Five questions a Parent should ask before booking | | | | 4. Can you find a Trainer? Many riding schools will not |
| that first lesson! | | | | take a child under the age of seven and for good |
| With the love of horses striking some children at an | | | | reason. If the school involves group lessons then the |
| early age a parent often asks how soon they should | | | | personal supervision needed for a younger child to |
| get started with their child's equestrian education. I've | | | | stay safe is not available. You will have to look long |
| listed below some ideas to consider that may help | | | | and hard to find a suitable trainer for a much younger |
| you to make the choice of when to start that's right | | | | child. Such trainers are few and far between but they |
| for you and your child. | | | | are out there. To find one I suggest you frequent |
| 1. How great is their desire? Although it's | | | | some local shows and watch for who's in charge of |
| advantageous to a parent's budget to hold off for as | | | | the youngest riders. You will also want to assess |
| long as possible when giving their child formal training | | | | their personality and repoire with the children and |
| in riding horses, some children just can't wait. I have | | | | whether they foster confidence in the rider through |
| seen children from as young as three completely | | | | positive re-enforcement. |
| obsessed with being around horses and there is an | | | | 5. Consider abbreviated instruction. Some trainers will |
| advantage to starting them very young before the | | | | allow a young sibling to tag onto the end of a family |
| world has convinced them large animals are | | | | member's lesson. Even if it's just a supervised walk |
| something to fear. | | | | around to cool out the horse it can be enough of a |
| 2. How important is it to you for your child to ride? | | | | positive experience to foster confidence and ability |
| Horseback riding lessons are not only expensive but | | | | to move with the horse preparing the child for what's |
| very time consuming. I suggest a parent doesn't | | | | to come into their future. |
| even consider lessons unless they can commit to the | | | | The bottom line is; if you're willing to give your child |
| child's training becoming part of their typical routine. It | | | | whatever time is required and let them move at a |
| just isn't fair for a parent to get a kid that loves | | | | speed that is suitable for their development and can |
| horses started only to decide their budget of time or | | | | find a qualified and cautious Instructor with |
| money can no longer tolerate the burden. | | | | trustworthy equine partners and you are willing to |
| 3. What are your expectations? Let's be reasonable. | | | | pay for their valuable time and expertise and your |
| Obviously a three year old will not progress as quickly | | | | child has a strong desire at such an early age to have |
| as a seven year old but I have to admit there are | | | | an equine experience then by all means find the |
| exceptions and of course the earlier a child is started | | | | opportunity to foster that love of horses in them. I |
| the farther along they will be at a younger age and | | | | can promise you no regrets and only the satisfaction |
| the more natural riding a horse will become. (There | | | | you as a parent will discover from giving your child |
| are medical studies involving the effects of motion to | | | | something that can affect them positively for the |
| the development of the inner ear in young children | | | | rest of their lives! |
| and the benefits to a child's development) | | | | |