AnotherNewbie
Well-Known Member
Sorry if this ends up a bit waffley, sat having lunch and pondering...!
My partner has a 3yr old daughter, who he has once or twice a week. Her mum comes from a large family who are not countryside people, where as he is an outdoors type, has worked with horses and regularly follows the hunt. He is desperate for her to love the outdoors also, and wants her to learn to ride. She has been up to see Chunks a few times, and has sat on him which she loves, but cant really do much as he has very big feet and is by no means careful with them!
She has been to a local riding school where she had a lead rein lesson, but they don't normally take children until they are 4 (I think they took her because she is so tall!) She loved her lesson, and even got taken round the field afterwards, and was so excitied, so we know she enjoyed herself and wants to go again!
However what i was wondering was, do you think it would be at all likely to find someone with say a semi retired or outgrown family pony that would be willing to sort of 'share' them on such a casual/non regular basis? I would love for example to just be able to take her on a lead rein round a field for 15-20mins just to have fun and learn to balance etc, before she is old enough to have 'proper' lessons as well. It would also mean she could learn about brushing and looking after a pony too, and not just riding like you do in riding schools.
What made me start thinking was a friend of mine that had a retired sec a as a companion, and occasionally he had a little girl come up and ride him. His face actually lit up every time and he loved it, even tho he was getting on and was very arthritic, once child was on board he was ears pricked and off he went in his very purposeful walk rather than his normal dawdle! Never put a foot out of place tho, he knew and loved his job!
Sorry for the essay, as i said am sat wondering!
My partner has a 3yr old daughter, who he has once or twice a week. Her mum comes from a large family who are not countryside people, where as he is an outdoors type, has worked with horses and regularly follows the hunt. He is desperate for her to love the outdoors also, and wants her to learn to ride. She has been up to see Chunks a few times, and has sat on him which she loves, but cant really do much as he has very big feet and is by no means careful with them!
She has been to a local riding school where she had a lead rein lesson, but they don't normally take children until they are 4 (I think they took her because she is so tall!) She loved her lesson, and even got taken round the field afterwards, and was so excitied, so we know she enjoyed herself and wants to go again!
However what i was wondering was, do you think it would be at all likely to find someone with say a semi retired or outgrown family pony that would be willing to sort of 'share' them on such a casual/non regular basis? I would love for example to just be able to take her on a lead rein round a field for 15-20mins just to have fun and learn to balance etc, before she is old enough to have 'proper' lessons as well. It would also mean she could learn about brushing and looking after a pony too, and not just riding like you do in riding schools.
What made me start thinking was a friend of mine that had a retired sec a as a companion, and occasionally he had a little girl come up and ride him. His face actually lit up every time and he loved it, even tho he was getting on and was very arthritic, once child was on board he was ears pricked and off he went in his very purposeful walk rather than his normal dawdle! Never put a foot out of place tho, he knew and loved his job!
Sorry for the essay, as i said am sat wondering!
