Making trot enjoyable for 5 year old

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mpowaszynska48

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Hi, I need some advice.
I have daugher (4y) and son (5y).
Daugher absolutely loves her horse riding, overall outdoors etc.
Son has always been more tricky however, I believe its due to early exposure to Xbox games etc by the other parent and how we would rather be stuck in a tablet than go outside of you let him. Due to some confidence, self-regulation issues. Problem emotionally and overall behaviour at school I decided it might be good for him to do something different, where he must learn how to become one with an animal. Where he must work with the animal and learns self confidence, self-esteem, overall balance (he wasn't great at it).
The first few lessons, he seemed to really enjoy it! And by lesson 3/4 he started to do an amazing raised trot.
He wanted to tell his dad (he was excited but father shit him down by saying I know) son asked his how and never seemed excited by it again. Complained that he was sore abs when doing the trot and that he doesn't want to do it anymore as all they do is trot and he diesnt like it.

My question is, how do I make it more enjoyable for him. Do I push him a bit more to attend the classes or should I let him go?

I feel like letting him go would be the last thing id like to do but also want to do what's best for him.

Any advice welcome.
 
I would let him stop if he wants to. It won’t be enjoyable if you force it.

I have a 4 year old daughter who loves her riding lessons. My 6 year old son isn’t so keen, he did one lesson and just wasn’t fussed. He wants to try skateboarding lessons.

Ask your son what he would like to do. There might be something he would prefer to do instead.
 
Herewegoagain said:
I would let him stop if he wants to. It won’t be enjoyable if you force it.

I have a 4 year old daughter who loves her riding lessons. My 6 year old son isn’t so keen, he did one lesson and just wasn’t fussed. He wants to try skateboarding lessons.

Ask your son what he would like to do. There might be something he would prefer to do instead.
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He did show interest and was happy for another lesson until he didn't felt rhe pain while doing the trot and randomly didnt found it enjoyable. Wasn't sure if this is more to do with it. But ill speak with him and see what he would prefer to do. They both do swimming lessons too, for a little bit he didnt wanted to do them but now he cannot wait for another lesson. So maybe that's why am slightly unsure. Thank you for advice
 
They are so very young still. Echo don't force the issue if they don't like it although we have said swim lessons is not optional as we live near the sea. Fortunately she likes them. He may well come back to horse riding, just see what else he likes, you may need to try loads of stuff if it's available before he finds what he likes and even then it will probably change
 
He’s a boy, being taught I would guess by a female instructor? Boys have different anatomy and need to learn to sit comfortably in a treed saddle. My son point blank refused a treed saddle until he was older, but can now sit in one fine. My husband had to do some careful explaining as to how to safely do this! He told me that the saddle is very hard and it is very easy to squash sensitive parts of oneself when sitting down from the rise in trot.
 
My son has ridden since he was 2, he had lessons when he was tiny but wasn’t too keen and now only wants to ride if he can go blackberry picking, I don’t push him but if I ask him to come out with me he will. He won’t do lessons or pony club though. He is neurodiverse so if he enjoys blackberry picking on a horse, so be it.
 
maya2008 said:
He’s a boy, being taught I would guess by a female instructor? Boys have different anatomy and need to learn to sit comfortably in a treed saddle. My son point blank refused a treed saddle until he was older, but can now sit in one fine. My husband had to do some careful explaining as to how to safely do this! He told me that the saddle is very hard and it is very easy to squash sensitive parts of oneself when sitting down from the rise in trot.
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Never thought of that! However he never complained about his private bit haha. Ive spoken to him and he doesn't want to do the horse riding. He wants to do boxing. So ill let him do that and see if he even enjoys it.
 
HopOnTrot said:
My son has ridden since he was 2, he had lessons when he was tiny but wasn’t too keen and now only wants to ride if he can go blackberry picking, I don’t push him but if I ask him to come out with me he will. He won’t do lessons or pony club though. He is neurodiverse so if he enjoys blackberry picking on a horse, so be it.
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I believe my son is the same, however I'd rather him do something he enjoys rather than feeling like am forcing him. But at the same time I know he showed interest in it and it randomly changed. So might try later when his older.
 
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