Age to start riding ?

[Bettyboo222]

Hi, What age would you consider it would be best to start riding. I have a 4 year old brother, who adores horses and loves coming with me to RL and shows. Could I start him now ?, I don't mean proper riding just like little hacks 1 or 2 times a month. I could see if anyone has a little shetland or something avalible every once in a while or a RS near me offers 10 min hacks for £4. Could he ride now ?

 

[Farma]

Most definately 4 is fine! I always put my nieces and nephews on my horses for rides and have done so since they were tiny - 10 minutes is definately enough at that age they soon get bored at that age.

 

[Cazza525]

The earlier the better if you ask me! You have to make sure that at a riding school they will allow a 4 year old to ride because of insurance though.

My 2 1/2 yr old son has been riding my old 28 yr old pony when the sun shines.....only litterally walk and stand around the yard for 5 minutes at a time though with a cub saddle on until he's had enough,and stops smiling!! This is obviously on the end of a lead rope,with one holding him and one leading pony.

He loves it!!

 

[burtie]

My 3 year old daughter has a share in a minature shetland and loves it. She spends ages brushing and picking out feet, help tack up and then rides for about 1/2 hour in walk and trot, she does keep asking to do cantering though!

 

[Bettyboo222]

He has sat up with me before when I was at the ponyclub show, I am going to ask at the riding school and see about if he is allowed to do the 10 mins hacks

 

[Shay]

My daughter started at 4 - he should be fine. The only "problem" is that many riding school insurance policies say the child must be 5 - or even older - for lessons. If you have your own though it is no problem at all. There is no reason not to ride at that age - it is just insurance.

 

[LaurenM]

I started at 4 and was fine! I would go for small hacks being led.

 

[VioletStripe]

Yes 4 would be fine! He'll love going out for little hacks, that's what I dud when I was 4. Then when I turned 5 or 6 is when I got proper lessons xx

 

[nemo_]

4 is definitely fine! I help at a riding school every summer, the minimum age for lessons is 4 due to insurance, so there must be other places with a minimum age of 4, not 5, if not, like you said, borrow a pony for him to sit on!

 

[Bettyboo222]

Yeah I'm going to have a look round the riding schools and take him when it gets nicer, I don't think he'll like being rained on Fire fly I love the 2 mottos in your sig

 

[Brontie]

4 is fine Our local RS, does riding for children from the age of three onwards

 

[Katie__Connie]

I first "rode" when I was 2 4 is fine

 

[aimeejay]

Gosh, I feel like a 'late starter' the first time I sat on a horse I was 6/7

 

[ElphabaFae]

I started riding at the age of 4 at my local riding school