Is he too young to ride?

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MrsJ

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So I was thinking about introducing my boy to riding....well sitting on (with support) a pony and being quietly led around for 5 or 10 minutes. He is 18 mths old, is he too young.

I have a hat that fits him perfectly and he loves putting it on and walking around in it looking oh so proud. He's also lovely around ponies, will stroke them gently etc.
 
Imo no. My daughter was sitting on from holding her own head up, at six months old did 10 mins walk, & screamed the place down when lifted back off again! At 18 months old he'll let you know if he doesn't like it!
 
I've been teaching riding for 30+ years and IME it's best to leave proper riding 'til the child is at least 6. Even tiny ponies are usually too wide for little legs/pelvises and the kids are only going to learn bad habits, get very sore, not be strong enough to have any influence or control, 'nor be able to keep their balance at very young ages. Popping on a pony and leading around for a bit of fun is another thing entirely, and if the child likes this, why not?
 
My sister and I were competing in Tiny Tots gymkana games at 18mths old. My mum and dad used to run alongside us both hanging to a leg each and we used to canter, however, my kids were still at the walk stage until at least 3/4 yrs old.
 
Thank you for replying. I can't see him wanting to do more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time and it is purely for fun and to accustom him with ponies.
 
Fizzer - Brilliant!!! is there such a thing as Tiny Tots Gymkhana now or have the 'elf and saftey' brigade done away with it?
 
My little boy started at just over 2 when we bought him his pony. He'd had a couple of donkey/horse rides before. We mainly just walk but he has started picking up the reins too. And we do trot (with me hanging onto the back of his BP) and he would tell you that he jumps (trotting poles)!

In reality he is having pony rides. Yes, he is picking stuff up but really I wont be 'teaching' him for a while. He loves it though and is confident - as you can see....
IMG_0267.jpg
 
I had a Shetland on my 2nd birthday and was plonked straight on, had probably been sat on horses before that but can't remember! As somebody else said he will soon let you know if he isn't enjoying it! :D
 
I doubt the op is likely to be teaching the aids just yet! I've had the opposite experience to cortez, years of riding bareback (with no responsibility for aids) as a tiny have given my daughter a fantastic position & no bad habits to get rid off. Just excellent balance as to her it is normal. Was 5 before she was properly able to ride off lr though on any pony, rather than just trust it to follow voice commands or another horse. Would definitely do the same again. Depends on level of interest, & whether you can do little & often. I certainly wouldn't have wanted my daughter to do an hours lesson in a saddle as a toddler, but that's not what the op means.
 
Cazzah said:
My little boy started at just over 2 when we bought him his pony. He'd had a couple of donkey/horse rides before. We mainly just walk but he has started picking up the reins too. And we do trot (with me hanging onto the back of his BP) and he would tell you that he jumps (trotting poles)!

In reality he is having pony rides. Yes, he is picking stuff up but really I wont be 'teaching' him for a while. He loves it though and is confident - as you can see....
IMG_0267.jpg
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Not really into kids but that is cute! :D
 
Op- don't know about tiny tots gymkhanas but our local child friendly shows let anyone in lr classes that can sit up, obviously they don't win but all get specials rosettes.
 
My daughter's 18months too! She's been on a pony a couple of times and been on my old horse who is as save as houses. She loves it but get bored in walk... The faster the better - eeekkkk!!!!!
 
Dukey said:
My daughter's 18months too! She's been on a pony a couple of times and been on my old horse who is as save as houses. She loves it but get bored in walk... The faster the better - eeekkkk!!!!!
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Brilliant....the worry is when she masters the word "Canter"
 
My daughter's were going out for "rides" on the lead rein as soon as they could sit up and hold onto saddle - before they were a year old - it was a substitute for pushing them around in a pram.

If you're happy then why not?
 
Don't Mrs J she gives me a heart attack! She's already learnt that you kick to go faster... I was like it so I shouldn't expect any different from her. My mum just laughs as says its pay back time! :)
 
I'm actually loving the gung ho attitude of you guys. It's great to see people not wanting to wrap their children up in cotton wool. First job on the list tomorrow then is call the riding school and find out what day 'Mums n Tots' is!!
 
Mrs J are you out of your mind it's far too dangerous. :p

He'll develop an all consuming passion for everything horse related and before you know it you'll have a stable full of ponies and horses, spend all your time looking after said horse and ponies, ferrying said protege to competitions and lessons and not have time to ride yourself. :eek:

I started the same way at 2 on donkeys! My daughter had pony rides from very young and started to take lessons at 4 years old and at 18 years old is as passionate about them as ever and is studing Equine Management at college.

Very very cute and brings back lovely memories.:D
 
Micramadam that is obviously a concern, but I'm planning to indulge my horsey passion during the wonderful hours of school time!! I also have a 6 yr old girl who has just started cantering, has done a few jumps and somehow managed to sit out a buck into canter followed by her pony taking off across the school!! So my destiny is already set out with a little girl who currently wants to be a mounted police lady when she grows up!

If I can see a future for my children filled with fields, ponies and mud rather than cartoons and computer games then I'll be a happy mummy!
 
My daughter "started" at about 18months, before that she struggled to sit up independantly when the pony moved.

She is 2 1/2 now, we go on hour long lead rein hacks together (on the rare days when it isn't raining!). She also loves going in the school and finding the letters, walking over poles etc. We practice standing up and sitting down in walk and clapping hands/touching her nose etc. She adores it. I have also taken her hacking sat on the front of the saddle which was really nice. She can't really trot without me holding her leg yet but we do little bits. I only take her up once a week or so because I don't want her to get bored but it is a lovely thing to do together. be warned though - she now proudly refers to my darling hafflinger as "HER" pony which is most annoying!!!!!
 
Actually, that was the other thing I'd forgotten I was going to ask. What is the 'standard protocol' on children riding with an adult and them sitting on the front of the saddle. Done thing or not really a done thing???
 
Ellie had her first sit at just over 6months :)

ellieride.jpg


(i know no hat but we just posed for the photo Daddy refused to allow movement!!)

Shes 16 months now and likes to sit on and stroke them but we dont move yet, as soon as shes old enough to understand holding on we'll start some little walks with a helper to hang onto her if she wants to.
Although being the ulitmate pushy mum i bought Jasper as a foal to turn into a kids pony. 3years before she was even a twinkle in daddys eye ;)
 
Don't know about anywhere else but tinies in lr classes near me just result in everyone making 'how cute' comments. Its a slippery slope to go down though speaking from experience. At 7, mine has asked if she works hard at jumping can she do badminton when she is at big school!
 
Mine rode from 2 so I could take the dogs for a proper walk! It is supposed to be bad for the development of their pelvis though, so maybe only very short sessions.
 
My large lead rein pony!

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I used to hold her up on my mares back from about 18mths, she loved it, I didn't let go, I held her and OH led her round.
 
Aww, lovely read and pictures. Our boy is only 3 months and I can't wait just to sit him on for a quick pose, then hopefully one day I get to play little ponies!! I have his future hunter already, bought a 2 and a half year old when he was 8 weeks old but only fair I get about 10 years of fun out of him first!!
 
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