Helping my son learn to ride

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gardenoftrees

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My DS has been learning to ride for 6 months at a local RS. I have been concerned about some bad habits he's picking up like flapping the legs wildly. Not even just the lower leg it's the whole leg, he looks like he's trying to take off! Anyway I thought maybe if we did a one day a week pony share this might help. The idea is this would be in addition to the lessons.

I found a pony which was advertised as LR/FR. He can't get the pony to trot. I can if I run alongside but then I can't see what he's doing. I tried another RS but they used voice commands for the pony so that didn't really help although the RI did correct the poor aids and seat. The yard where the share pony is kept has a RI but I didn't click with her and I don't know how good she'd be. The yard won't allow any other RI to teach there because of insurance.

I'm at a loss on how to help him or how to move forward. He seems to have deveoped so many bad ahbits. The RI at the shared yard said he didn't look like he'd been learning 6 months his riding was so poor. The RI we tried once said he was OK but had developed bad habits.

Any advice would be welcome.
 
I'd go with the second riding school. After 6mnths of lessons, his basic position & balance will still need a lot of work, so not learning the aids cos the ponies on voice commands doesn't matter. And tbh, when I teach, especially a child I prefer to use a pony with voice commands to teach them the aids. Partly cos that means they can be off lr safely. But also because that way they can learn to use the aids correctly on a responsive pony, rather than learning on one used to being booted along. No reason he can't learn correct aids on a pony that is really listening to the instructor. Then when he can apply them he can use them on any pony. Definitely not first place though, rs that teach kicking should be shut down imo. And look into instructor at share ponies yard. Just cos you didn't click, it doesn't mean she isn't a good instructor.
 
My son used to do exactly that, when asked to trot on or canter, walk faster, then legs would come out and bang, poor pony. It didnt come down to instruction though, as a few kids did that, and the rest didnt. I asked the instructor, who happens to be a friend. She said it is normally the case for a while with kids that play alot of sports, (football, hurling, etc..), Muscles developed in a different way. Not always so, but in our experience, the ones that did that were big into other sports too. He's learned to use his leg properly now, but every so often, we get the "big kick"!!!
I reckoned if i put him up on my cob once, it would sort it completely, as if he got a boot in the belly, he'd send him into tomorrow, lol!!! (joking, wouldn't dream of it!!!!).
Hope you get sorted, but my instructor reckons it comes in time.....
 
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Littlelegs, I like your way of thinking and teaching. I love voice commands myself, they can get you out of trouble. My cob is learning the aids at the moment, but you could ride him by voice commands totally on their own at the moment. I especially love the voice aid "Whoa"!!!!!
 
I'd go with the 2nd RS, much better imo to be able to learn subtle aids whilst supported by RI's voice aids than being encouraged to flap the legs to get the pony to move.
Actually I think that all RS ponies respond better to voice aids from a familiar adult than to any child, trying in varying degrees to tell them what to do.
 
Thank you they are both really helpful posts.

With regard to the share pony (who doesn't respond to voice) what should I do? Stick to lead rein and "around the world" type games only or something else?
 
I think the correct term is "pony club legs " !!
My kids both learnt on a shettie cross that required such aids.
When they stopped needing to do that they both moved on and ride well. My daughter (13) qualified for the south east dressage champs at Hickstead this year. Son rode at area SJ etc .
I wouldnt worry too much but concentrate on having fun and doing lots of different stuff and hacking, this gives them time to develop the balance and love of riding that will carry on through their life
 
I have an easy way to solve the problem of kicking kids too. Get them to place their fists on their sides with the thumb pressing the lower rib, & squeeze inwards, or if you are ok to touch them do it for them yourself. Then get them to imagine how much it would hurt if it was a foot in their side, but crashing down from a distance away with force behind it, and ask how they'd like it. If necessary elaborate on poor ponies pain when its kicked. If that fails, everytime they kick they get off for 5 minutes. Same for pulling reins, put the bit on their elbow & pull lightly, then imagine its their teeth not just their arm.
 
I'd stick to games with share pony. Games are just as good for increasing skill for kids. Simon says is a non nagging way to make corrections, tig, gymkhana games, all around the world are all a form of learning.
 
maree t said:
I think the correct term is "pony club legs " !!
My kids both learnt on a shettie cross that required such aids.
When they stopped needing to do that they both moved on and ride well. My daughter (13) qualified for the south east dressage champs at Hickstead this year. Son rode at area SJ etc .
I wouldnt worry too much but concentrate on having fun and doing lots of different stuff and hacking, this gives them time to develop the balance and love of riding that will carry on through their life
Click to expand...

I am told that the share pony doesn't require such force and the owner was keen that DS shouldn't do it on her pony. The little girl that rides him doesn't seem to have any such problems but is obviously a much better rider. TBH it is harsh and as far as I can see a habit that I'd rather was broken sooner rather than later. Notwithstanding that correct muscle needs to be built and technique learnt.
 
littlelegs said:
I'd stick to games with share pony. Games are just as good for increasing skill for kids. Simon says is a non nagging way to make corrections, tig, gymkhana games, all around the world are all a form of learning.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I bought a book which has loads of games in all I need to do now is remember where I put it. :confused:
 
littlelegs said:
I have an easy way to solve the problem of kicking kids too. Get them to place their fists on their sides with the thumb pressing the lower rib, & squeeze inwards, or if you are ok to touch them do it for them yourself. Then get them to imagine how much it would hurt if it was a foot in their side, but crashing down from a distance away with force behind it, and ask how they'd like it. If necessary elaborate on poor ponies pain when its kicked. If that fails, everytime they kick they get off for 5 minutes. Same for pulling reins, put the bit on their elbow & pull lightly, then imagine its their teeth not just their arm.
Click to expand...

I think I might have to do this. I have talked at length about how it can hurt if we are rough etc and it doesn't seem to be sinking in so a practical demo might be more appropriate.
 
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