sj and children, is this the norm?

[blackandwhite]

We're liveried, quite happily, on a professional sj yard. I'm not into sj at all and it's not something I want my kids to do so my knowledge of the norms is lacking. Lots of the kids there are involved in jumping both bsj and unaffiliated and it seems they're channelled to view this as pretty much the only discipline. Some of the older kids are very good and a pleasure to watch. The younger kids seem to be routinely over horsed, with little riding capability beyond the basics and the answer to any problem is to up the bitting. Is that normal for very young children in sj? I canunderstand it maybe if the pony is well seasoned and ableto carry the jockey without much input but even still surely there should be plenty of basic schooling? I'll never be convinced about tiny kids on 13hh speed demons though.

 

[ladyt25]

I don't know, I don't see the problem with it to be honest provided the child is taught how to use the equipment properly. Even a 13hh pony (especially a jumping pony) can be very strong and very eager to do the job and a 10 yo child does not physically have the power to stop/control that pony properly.

I agree basic schooling should be taught BUT when I was a kid, did I want to school my pony? The answer is no. Sorry, I wanted to have fun and that's what I did. I liked jumping and building 'courses' out of anything I could find quite frankly, I liked playing gymkhana games in the field with my sister on her pony (basically a lot of racing!!! ) and also doing this when on hacks - doing racing games on tracks, involving jumping off, running, vautlting back on etc etc. Kids like different things and some do like the fast, speedy ponies, others don't. As far as i am concerned, providing the pony is not abused or ill-treated then whar's the problem? There is plenty of time in life to learn about schooling and the 'boring' stuff (sorry but it is for a kid!), that's what we, as adults get more benefits from.