is 2 too young?

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Newt

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Hi everyone.

My name is Sarah, I'm new here and I don't know a lot about horses (I had to google horse and frog to sign up lol). I did ride a bit when I was young as did my husband, because of this we booked a trip while in Cuba to take our little boy on a horse. Our son is 2 and is autistic, he absolulty loved the horse and would say "ready steady, go" when sat on her. I was lovely to see such a reaction from our boy and to see him bonding with this majestic animal, he really seemed to like her and was smiling and touching her face after the ride.

I would like him to start pony riding now we are home, I know that ridnig can be thereputic for disabilities. Problem is I have no idea where to start looking, any help would be so welcomed, we live in Merthyr in Wales, so there should be plenty of places to go.

Any ideas or thoughts?

Thanks :D
 
Sorry I can’t help you with the age thing (I don’t have kids myself) or Riding Schools in your area.
However my Mum has Alzheimer’s (she is only 56) and riding is her therapy, she only plods around on the lead rein (she does trot which does wonders for my fitness, lol), but it makes her so, so happy. So I totally agree about it being good for people with disabilities.

My mum on Badger the Fjord:
IMG_3972.jpg
 
Thank you for having me here. :) Lush picture, she really does look like shes having fun, it really is a way to improve someones quality of life. I bet she looks forward to it.
 
Yes i do RDA, i am a group instructor, mostly the children we have are autistic and come from schools. We do have some tiny ones and i should think they will take him on. get in contact with your local group, we are in pembrokeshire, West Wales so a bit far from you.
 
The RDA insurance does not cover under 5's. so you may have a problem getting a group to accept you. :( If I were you I would try and find a local small pony with an owner who would let your son have a go every now and again. Then join RDA when he is classed as old enough.
 
I work in a SEN school and riding is part of our timetable, although we dont have any two year old the youngest we take is just turned 4 and it is amazing to see how much it helps them x Hope you have some luck getting in if not its always worth trying to visit some ponies .
 
yeah I will do. Maybe just being with a pony for some time to get to know one and touch one, before he is old enough, is thereputic enough for the time being. Worth a try huh?

thanks eveyone xxx
 
yeah, maybe if you put a notice up at your local tack shop asking for what you want / need there might be somone willing for you visit their pony of a weekend.. worth a try!
 
Have you thought about getting him riding donkeys? they are reknowned for helping children with all sorts of diabilities. There are many many donkey people in Wales who would be delighted for your little lad to ride and groom donkeys.

Good luck, whatever you decide to do, your son will improve tremendously.:D
 
Welcome Newt! This is such a touching post to read :)

I have done a little bit with RDA, just assisting, and the looks on (most) of the kids faces is priceless ;)

Good luck with your plan and please keep us updated. Pictures too of course!
 
I was 1 1/2 when my mum took me on a donkey trip in Spain - and that was it - BIG mistake for her financially !!!

I think it's wonderful for your little'n to be interested in riding, and say a huge GO FOR IT !!!! :D sm x
 
Newt said:
I would like him to start pony riding now we are home, I know that ridnig can be thereputic for disabilities. Problem is I have no idea where to start looking, any help would be so welcomed, we live in Merthyr in Wales, so there should be plenty of places to go.

Any ideas or thoughts?
Click to expand...

Hi Sarah - and welcome to the forum. I used to work for the Riding for the Disabled Association of Victoria (Australia) (as Chief Instructor)in the '70s - and worked with a lot of autistic children of all ages.

When I came to the UK in 1980 I didn't get involved with RDA because I didn't like the way it was going - far too 'therapy' oriented. Don't get me wrong- it IS great therapy - but mainly because it is FUN - and the therapy creeps in by a side door!

But I digress - pony riding is THE best therapy in the world for autistic children. The movement of the horse gives a rhythm and a 'feel' that really aids communication. But once a week or once a fortnight is NOT enough for the maximum benefit! One of our Trustees of RDAV had an autistic daughter - he was SO impressed bythe benefit of her once a week sessions that he bought a pony so she could ride every day - and the benefits and improvements were magnified 10-fold!

2 is very young to be starting - and you might not want the expense - or responsibility - of a pony just yet. But talk to the local riding schools - many of them will have a tiny pony on which they give 'pony rides'. He doesn't need 'teaching' as yet. And look at getting a good rocking horse for him to play on in-between rides - he WILL make the association between the 'pretend' horse and the real thing! Decent rocking horses are ridiculously expensive but you can often get a bargain on E-bay. It needs to be reasonably 'realistic' with mane and tail - and ideally a 'soft' body rather than a wooden one.

You can teach him SO much by using a pony - and riding it - as a focus. From simple counting - to proper communication. My biggest frustration in teaching autistic children with RDA was the inability to work with them every day (having seen the benefits gained by our Trustee's daughter who improved rapidly in EVERY aspect of her life and behaviour when she had her own pony!)

I worked with blind riders,and riders with physical disabilities of all sorts - and riders of all ages. My experience led me to believe that - while riding is helpful with ALL disabilities - no children benefit MORE than children with autism. Hopefully, you can prove me right!
 
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