Small children and ponies, experiences?

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mystiandsunny

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Just wondering, planning for the future lol.

So:
- How young can a child safely learn to ride (not including sitting on the front of the saddle being held by mum here!)? Will it damage their hips if they learn too early?
- After the 'obligatory' lead rein shetland, where do you go from there? We have a 13.2hh who happily teaches a 7yo novice/beginner child atm - would we be able to manage with, say, an 11.2hh between the shetland and her (have friend with shetland needing extra work so that bit's covered lol).
- How do you keep boys interested in riding? That is, if he takes to it in the first place of course! Both parents ride though so likely he at least won't mind it...
 
My Section A taught loads of children to ride from an 18 month old in a basket saddle to doing rather smart dressage tests, 2'6 XC and Sj and taking small children hunting on the lead rein.

Can't see the point of a Shitland when they are far more opinionated and wider for the child.
 
My daughter rode from weeks old, at 6mnths she was going for 10min walks either on an aged shetland or to & from field held on my 14.2. Was cantering on same aged shetland on lr before 2. The physical problems from riding young come from bad position. Few saddles aid a good classical position for a tiny, which means they end in an armchair seat. So except in the odd show class my daughter rarely rode in a proper saddle till she was 6. Either bareback or ponypad.
Which pony depends on the child, don't worry too much about which one right now. Very very safe small pony is the only requirement, see what the child's opinions are before worrying about the second pony. ( by 3 my daughter was expressing a very strong liking for finer types, something 4yrs later she still does)
Don't have personal experience myself, but with boys I've found the ones who regularly ride with other boys seem to be keener. But really you can't make a kid like something if they have no interest themselves.
 
my son was on a horse at 6 months held on by dad because I was too short to reach safely, we took a loan pony when he was 2 a fabulous pony who is very much missed as the loan didn't work out, never considered a shetland went straight to a 11.2 pony.

When we thought of riding lessons we found no one local would take our son before 5 years because of insurance, I've found one that will take them lead rein at 4 yrs but our original plan was to loan, gain confidence learn about seat and balance, basic care and then move on to proper riding lessons when big enough to hold on the reins.
 
Mine started having lead rein hacks, on my 20 something 15:2 TB x, as soon as they could walk. My younger girls learned to ride properly, on our 13:2 welsh cross, when they were about 5 or 6.I don't think the size of pony is as important as much as its willingness to look after a small rider. Our 13:2 is fast & fizzy if ridden by a child who she considers competent way but ultra careful with a small wobbly jockey.
 
A potter around the paddock from an early age - bareback or better still a pony pad that has a handle too.

From three years on I've found that short spells really learning are fine. At four they can certainly master rising trot some steering and control.

In New Zealand our Lead reiners aren't allowed to compete until they are 4yrs old. This had to be brought in to stop the doting mothers with a 2yr old wobbling dangerously around on top of the pony from putting the child at risk in the ring.

A narrow pony is best for a young child as it doesn't stretch their hips so much. I remember a parent asking at the riding school for her daughter not to ride one of the wider ponies as her daughter had complained about hip pain after riding it. No one had even considered that when alloting the ponies.

Otherwise a pony that will lead willingly in Walk and trot and preferably doesn't shy. My thoughts are that though faslling off is part of the process of learnign its not a neccesity!
 
mystiandsunny said:
Just wondering, planning for the future lol.

So:
- How young can a child safely learn to ride (not including sitting on the front of the saddle being held by mum here!)? Will it damage their hips if they learn too early?
- After the 'obligatory' lead rein shetland, where do you go from there? We have a 13.2hh who happily teaches a 7yo novice/beginner child atm - would we be able to manage with, say, an 11.2hh between the shetland and her (have friend with shetland needing extra work so that bit's covered lol).
- How do you keep boys interested in riding? That is, if he takes to it in the first place of course! Both parents ride though so likely he at least won't mind it...
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hehe I giggled at this - just because my wee boy is 5 months and Ive asked myself the same. Tbh, I dont mind if he isnt interested in riding If he is, then great and if he isnt, also great - he can go and play rugby with his Dad and give me my own horsy time:D Ultimately I think as someone else said, a safe first pony is the priority. We have one that was bought as a companion for my mare and she is worth her weight in gold. My wee one can potter about with her as much as he wants (or doesnt want) to and if he is really keen later on I would be going for a full up Section A type. A friend of mine has one that her wee 6 year old lad rides and could continue to do so for a good while yet.

I think for me, I was desperate for a pony and didnt have one. I think that ‘want and need’ has to be there and Im worried about how much will be taken forgranted if a pony is handed to him on a plate.Id rather he worked for the privilege and hopefully that in turn will make it something he is keen to do.

Mine had his first ‘sit’ on 32inch Lolliop yesterday:D
 
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