Headstrong 5yr old - wont go on leadrein !

He is absolutely adorable and the pony aint bad either They look amzing together I only hope he never gets put off and gives up it so much healthier than riding in a car or playing computer games
 
Toffee_monster said:
He is a sweetheart and he melts my heart. We went to tesco this evening and at the bottom of the stairs to the flat (6 flights) he said "mummy don't struggle let me have one of the bags" and I said no it's ok they are too heavy, to which he said "please let me help mum, it might be heavy but I'll give it a try".
Click to expand...

OOOOOOOH I'd already died of cuteness looking at the photos and then you went and posted that!! They are too cute. Seriously too cute. Dangerously cute, infact.
 
Lovely photos!

BUT, the child is 5 years old, if he 'won't' do as he is told now, what on earth will happen when he reaches his teenage years?

If he were my son, I'd be happy for him to ride off the lead in the school but expect him to be on the lead on the roads/tracks. Would you allow a 5 yr old out on the road on his own as a pedestrian or on his bike? Even the steadiest equine can have a 'moment', so I'd rather be safe than sorry. He would also be wearing jodhpur boots, if he were mine.
 
Aw bless them. I relented when my son was 4 and got him a pony on loan. I was fed up of him nicking mine. He's been around ponies all his life and his first word was "Benji"! He's done child handler classes and lead rein. He's more than happy being off the lead rein and his new pony is so good I do let him loose. However our main riding is out on the open forest so I am a bit cautious at present. Glad to hear you have new stirrups on order. Best wishes to the pair of them, having a pony is so much fun and teaches them so much.
 
Oh my gosh, that is just the cutest pair! I agree with the rest - I don't think you have much to worry about. They look like they are doing just fine.

I keep scrolling up to look again b/c both boy and pony are precious. Makes me want one of each!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
BUT, the child is 5 years old, if he 'won't' do as he is told now, what on earth will happen when he reaches his teenage years?.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, he is in fact one of the most well behaved kids I know! He is polite, works hard, and his school teachers Sing his praise. Other parents say what a pleasure he is to have at parties etc.

I would worry more about the kids who run riot in the playground, hit other children, swear at adults, eat chicken nuggets daily and never see fruit, and play on the streets at night - there are plenty of those kids around these days and my son has been at the receiving end of those type of Children a few times!

He is very rarely naughty but is reprimanded straight away if he is. I may be over strict at times and get some funny looks as my boy is made to hold my had at all times when shopping, etc.

I don't think you can liken this to letting him out on his own to ride his bike or as a pedestrian! I walk next to him round the very quiet village. So I would in fact liken that to him walking alongside me in the way to the shop.

This is a case my of my boy wanting to progress not of misbehaving, but thanks for querying my parenting skills LOL.



However wrists are well and truly slapped about the wellies and I will not let him ride in them again. Safety stirrups should be here in a day or so. We already make sure he has his hat on at all times and hi viz is worn when we go out :)
 
Last edited:
You don't need to defend your parenting to anyone, OP. And the whole "do as he's told" thing actually makes me cringe a bit.

Lovely, smiley little boy and gorgeous pony- lucky you!

I was definitely off the lead at five, riding around quite confidently on my own. We did have minimal contact with roads but short of show classes, I don't think I saw a lead rein at that age. It hasn't affected my enthusiasm for the sport :-)
 
Toffee_monster said:
However wrists are well and truly slapped about the wellies and I will not let him ride in them again. Safety stirrups should be here in a day or so.
Click to expand...

Phew, as an instructor those first pics scared me! Imagine if he came off? His foot would have been completely trapped in the stirrup.

Lovely pony, I'd insist on the lead on the roads I'm afraid and wouldn't get into a discussion about it, I'd just clip on then turn around if he made a scene, but I would be careful to explain that it's not because he's not capable of riding on his own, it's just incase a car comes too close/similar.
 
OP - lovely pics :)

Mine was off lead when tiny - competing in 1st ridden & breed ridden classes by the time she was 5, so I have no issues if you trust the pony enough, for laddie to be off-lead. Used to do 3 gears at 5 & had as secure seat as possible. Also going to PC & popping jumps at same age (no not a child prodigy, just a child whose mum had lots of ponies at the time & she rode daily on at least 1 if not 2 or more)

I did insist with mine tho, that she was on a LR when going off our own land onto roads, tho sometimes off on the rough track heading home - explaining that this was for ponies safety in case any silly people did something that would upset pony. This even when aged 6 & 7, tho often she was on a LR off whatever I was riding, or my mother was on. It was a rule that was just not up for discussion.

Enjoy, have fun - but be firm about LR when out & about xx
 
Last edited:
They are so cute. I'd just swap the stirrups for a pair of safety ones just incase he does come unseated. Otherwise let them have fun. The pony looks so happy too x
Oops just noticed your new stirrups are on their way!
Enjoy :)
 
I am 41, ride a home backed very sensible rising 7 yr old but even she had a moment the other month when a golden retriever appeared from the end of a 6ft fence line, the dog was spooked by us so started shouting his head off, i managed to keep her facing him until he went past us-in that senario your shetland with or without son could be gone before you get hold of them-worth the risk off lead on the roads? not in my book.
 
Sorry where are you? Where do you live?

No, no I'm not going to come and steal the pony or the cute 5yo.... honest... :P
 
Yay for the Shetties!! My son is 6 and he is also off the lead rein with his Shetland. I do put a lead rope on when we hack out but as I am on foot ( cant hack out with my horse as she is a baby) there are the odd bits where we put the lead rope over his neck so Son feels more in control ( Disclaimer. I DONT do that on the roads, just tracks) Anyway, My sons pony trots far too fast for me to keep up with him, much easier for me to give instruction from the middle of the school :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top