Riding for Boys

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Thorthepony

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I am hoping that someone might be able to help me. Does anyone know of any books or DVD's for kids that are perhaps geared slightly more towards boys than girls. I have a 12 year old boy in the family who is starting learning to ride and I would like to encourage him but a lot of the books and stuff are very much aimed at the girls rather than boys. Any recommendations etc would be great.

Many thanks :)
 
It's a really tricky one isn't as when they're younger it's all pretty girl focussed??!

I can only suggest looking at vids/books by the top male riders WFP, Mark Todd, Whittakers, Carl Hester etc etc but they're probably mostly adult focussed. Monty Roberts could also be an option I guess, especially as he does some work with children.

But as for things along the lines of "the saddle club" and similar nothing springs to mind!!
 
The black stallion would be a more boyish movie.Its a boy as the main lead.Most racing one's tend to have male jockeys.
My friend flicka,Thunderhead etc are books where its a boy and his horse.
Some of the silver brumby books maybe?

Is it that odd to have boys riding?
A lot of the people i see showjumping over here are boys and men.Possibly even more then girls.But i guess its just the influence of the families been into horses.
 
Books wise I would agree with teh Black stallion, red pony, my friend flicka types but I reckon to keep him interested you should look at the horse sports- encourage him towards pc polo rather than jumping, pony racing as above and most importantly- Polocrosse! Best thing in the world for boys I think :D
 
also hunting, lots of boys go hunting and nothing else, so if theyre around, they'll most likely be in the field. they can often be 'chosen' by the huntsman to ride up with him to open gates atc. Gives them responsibility and they get a kick out of it too, more than girls as theyre usually happy to stay ouut back with in a group chatting!
 
Is he a sporty lad? Can't help on the books front but could you encourage him to join the Pony Club and take up the tetrathlon? At this time of year they only hold triathlons (ie no riding) and they run, swim and shoot a pistol. There are separate classes for girls and boys, and there are usually more boys doing tet and tri comps than most other pc disciplines so he won't feel in a minority and it's a good way for him to meet other boys who ride. He doesn't need to be able to ride much yet, and doing something like this might give him an incentive.

Just make sure the branch you joins has a really active tet group and is supportive of its boys. They should hold sessions where the PC teach them to shoot and you don't have to buy a gun unless he gets really keen! Boys like to compete against other boys and this is one sport where they do.
 
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