beginner lessons

[ibot]

Hey for those that have seen my posts before i have so many questions.
Yesterday i taught a kids class who have been riding since sept every sat now they are still on lead ropes so i introduced them to riding alone.
so my question is this how long do you think beginners should be on a lead rope????
surely since sept is too long??
let me know what you think.

 

[ebbs]

I think it depends on the pony if the pony is a true first pony it will look after the child and their confidence will grow and the quicker they can come off the lead rein

 

[galaxy]

When I'm making that decision it comes down to 2 things, the age and size of the child and the behaviour of the pony. I teach two 4 year olds for example and althought they can both do rising trot very nicely, I wouldn't let them off the l/r because they are just too small and would have the strength if the pony decided to do something it shouldn't, even though the pony ois very well behaved. I teach another 6 year old though of the same ability and I've let her off the lead rein as she is just that bigger and stronger and less like a rag doll on a pony!