Enfys
Well-Known Member
The rider is 5 years old, the horse is 17.
Video of him winning the 2011 short Stirrup co-Championship in video vault.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=9608125#post9608125
Last edited:
Small children, big horses...thoughts?
- Thread starter Enfys
- Start date
The rider is 5 years old, the horse is 17.
Video of him winning the 2011 short Stirrup co-Championship in video vault.
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=9608125#post9608125
*hic*
village idiot :D
My thoughts?
It's different in different countries.
It depends on the horse and the child.
As a precocious child rider myself I was on more than one occasion watching the adults lesson before mine at the riding school when an adult rider was told to get off the horse she was riding and I was told to get on and do the exercise whilst the adult was told "See, if a 10yo can do it why can't you?".
I have put a small 10yo on my own horse when she was having difficulties with her pony and needed a confidence boost. Her pony was 10hh, mine is a BIG 16.3. She was hugely proud that a) she was so high up and b) she could control direction and speed (walk only thank goodness).
I didn't feel the need to move my daughter up to bigger ponies until her feet were half way to their knees - until she needed to make the move to horses as her legs had got so long and then she went from a 14.2 to the big 16.3 mentioned above. It should have been a huge change for her but she managed it very well.
Probably nothing useful there - but them's my thoughts!
It's different in different countries.
It depends on the horse and the child.
As a precocious child rider myself I was on more than one occasion watching the adults lesson before mine at the riding school when an adult rider was told to get off the horse she was riding and I was told to get on and do the exercise whilst the adult was told "See, if a 10yo can do it why can't you?".
I have put a small 10yo on my own horse when she was having difficulties with her pony and needed a confidence boost. Her pony was 10hh, mine is a BIG 16.3. She was hugely proud that a) she was so high up and b) she could control direction and speed (walk only thank goodness).
I didn't feel the need to move my daughter up to bigger ponies until her feet were half way to their knees - until she needed to make the move to horses as her legs had got so long and then she went from a 14.2 to the big 16.3 mentioned above. It should have been a huge change for her but she managed it very well.
Probably nothing useful there - but them's my thoughts!
AmyMay
Situation normal
No vid - just your post again....
Jesstickle
Well-Known Member
I guess I've never thought about it but that is a seriously impressive video. 
Rosie Round The Hills
Well-Known Member
Errm, where do I start.
Well trained and excellently behaved horse.
Confident lad on top.
Utterly irresponsible adults putting their five year old son on a big(ish) horse, doing what looked like competitive circus tricks/clever western riding however well trained it is.
Of course - Western riders don't need to wear hats because............. ummm ................their heads are harder than ours? Especially 5 year old kid's heads.
And I speak as a mother of a five year old boy who is off to his first mounted games competition on Saturday - but on a 12 hand pony that has a preferred gait of stand, with walk a close a second, and trot a reluctant third. I'm all for children riding, and enjoying every aspect of horses. I think it's a great confidence-builder and life-skill. But I think the parent's ambition for their child should be tempered by care of the child.
Well trained and excellently behaved horse.
Confident lad on top.
Utterly irresponsible adults putting their five year old son on a big(ish) horse, doing what looked like competitive circus tricks/clever western riding however well trained it is.
Of course - Western riders don't need to wear hats because............. ummm ................their heads are harder than ours? Especially 5 year old kid's heads.
And I speak as a mother of a five year old boy who is off to his first mounted games competition on Saturday - but on a 12 hand pony that has a preferred gait of stand, with walk a close a second, and trot a reluctant third. I'm all for children riding, and enjoying every aspect of horses. I think it's a great confidence-builder and life-skill. But I think the parent's ambition for their child should be tempered by care of the child.
indiat
Well-Known Member
Both my daughters learned to ride as tiny tots sitting up on my 15 h cob mare. She was as good as gold and far more trustworthy than a lot of ponies. She used to walk, trot and halt for them with just a voice command. They adored her and never felt scared. When my eldest was six she entered her for a local show. They now share a rather chunky 12.2 and like Jemima, I won't be moving them on until their feet are dragging the ground as he is such a confidence giver.
However, in respect of the video, I do agree with the last line of JackyandRosie's post.
However, in respect of the video, I do agree with the last line of JackyandRosie's post.
Honey08
Waffled a lot!
Wow Jemima - what a rotton riding instructor showing their clients up by putting a ten year old on the horse!
Enfys is it usual in the states for kids to start on bigger horses? The few times that I've ridden in the states, there haven't been a lot of ponies around..
Personally I like kids to stay on ponies as long as possible. Lots of kids at our local pc seem to go onto bigger ponies/horses too soon, and struggle. They can't do all the fun classes at shows that teach balance and co-ordination (handy pony and gymkhana). The horses are very quiet most of the time, and the kids manage, but I can't help thinking the ones on good old traditional ponies seem "quicker" in their thoughts and their riding. Ponies are little gits quite often, but you don't half learn from them!
Enfys is it usual in the states for kids to start on bigger horses? The few times that I've ridden in the states, there haven't been a lot of ponies around..
Personally I like kids to stay on ponies as long as possible. Lots of kids at our local pc seem to go onto bigger ponies/horses too soon, and struggle. They can't do all the fun classes at shows that teach balance and co-ordination (handy pony and gymkhana). The horses are very quiet most of the time, and the kids manage, but I can't help thinking the ones on good old traditional ponies seem "quicker" in their thoughts and their riding. Ponies are little gits quite often, but you don't half learn from them!
Rosie Round The Hills
Well-Known Member
Damnation
Well-Known Member
If the horse suits the rider ability then who cares about size.
HashRouge
Well-Known Member
While I was having my lesson yesterday, a little lad of about 7 came into the arena riding a massive horse - I'd guess it was around 16.2hh at least. I occasionally share my lesson with a little girl, who I think is about 8, and who always rides a 16hh lusitano. I don't think there is anything wrong with small kids on big horses so long as the horse isn't a nutter, but I do think it's a bit sad that some kids miss out on the phase where you can ride tiny ponies, fall off every other day and not worry about getting hurt 
.
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Flame_
Well-Known Member
I cannot understand why anyone feels the need to get any horse or pony that isn't even vaguely the right size for them. Its not like they don't make horses in all sizes, why wouldn't you just get a kid a pony they don't look like a pea on a mountain on? 
Damnation
Well-Known Member
When I was about 9 one of the horses I learnt to ride on was a 17.2.. I was about 3ft tall... I was and still am a pygmy
Spotsrock
Well-Known Member
Lottie LOVES pretending to be a 12.2! She has always loved kids but now she is old and a bit tired she adores them coming to play with her as she gets a change of scene.
Her current herd of foals are aged 3 - 6 and all wear bp and hat and are supervised by 2 adults the whole time around her. Not a regular thing as I am not a riding school. She takes far greater care with them on board than she ever has with me!! They stand and brush her legs and she goes to sleep happy.
The scariest things are not scary when the little people are near, oh she may shake and lift her head but then she starts gathering them to her with her nose and carefully gets between them and the noise/thing. She is only 15hh these days (shrunk a good inch or 2!) but looks huge with them on top. Makes her soo happy and the kids ADORE her. I remember many of the riding school little ponies being quite grumpy tbh.
Had hoped Lottie would teach my kids but life got in the way and I haven't had any yet and now we're 31 this year so I doubt she'll see them. Makes me cry!!
Her current herd of foals are aged 3 - 6 and all wear bp and hat and are supervised by 2 adults the whole time around her. Not a regular thing as I am not a riding school. She takes far greater care with them on board than she ever has with me!! They stand and brush her legs and she goes to sleep happy.
The scariest things are not scary when the little people are near, oh she may shake and lift her head but then she starts gathering them to her with her nose and carefully gets between them and the noise/thing. She is only 15hh these days (shrunk a good inch or 2!) but looks huge with them on top. Makes her soo happy and the kids ADORE her. I remember many of the riding school little ponies being quite grumpy tbh.
Had hoped Lottie would teach my kids but life got in the way and I haven't had any yet and now we're 31 this year so I doubt she'll see them. Makes me cry!!
ozpoz
Well-Known Member
I tried to watch objectively, cos reining isn't my cup of tea
And I saw a very balanced, relaxed and confident little boy on a kind horse.
i liked it - but not sure how good for young joints it is, as the horse must be very wide for him.
In this country, our children would ideally be on a narrow 12h and under, and concentrating on their 'up downs' in trot! But then, the saddle and bitting are completely different....
And I saw a very balanced, relaxed and confident little boy on a kind horse.
i liked it - but not sure how good for young joints it is, as the horse must be very wide for him.
In this country, our children would ideally be on a narrow 12h and under, and concentrating on their 'up downs' in trot! But then, the saddle and bitting are completely different....
Trish C
Well-Known Member
Keep small children on small ponies, else they may regret that they couldn't do the gymkhana/tearing around on tiny lunatic ponies thing
As a child I was always very tall for my age and so was well onto horses by the age of 10, as on anything under 14.2hh I needed rollerskates. Never got to do the pony thing that everyone else did and wish I had!
I do genuinely think that some horses are a lot more sensible and well behaved than some ponies. I'm a firm believer in temperament as opposed to size. If it was a choice between a mental 13.2hh that would constantly take off etc, or a sensible confidence giving horse, I would perfer to see a child on the horse.
But I still wish I'd been able to ride the mental 13.2hh
As a child I was always very tall for my age and so was well onto horses by the age of 10, as on anything under 14.2hh I needed rollerskates. Never got to do the pony thing that everyone else did and wish I had!
I do genuinely think that some horses are a lot more sensible and well behaved than some ponies. I'm a firm believer in temperament as opposed to size. If it was a choice between a mental 13.2hh that would constantly take off etc, or a sensible confidence giving horse, I would perfer to see a child on the horse.
But I still wish I'd been able to ride the mental 13.2hh
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
THINK! There were no horses or ponies in the USA when the Spanish invaded the New World and took european horses with them,and then subsequently the settler imported horses for breeding. Horses were work animals, for transport, farm work, they were a tool. I own an american breed and they do seem to be a lot more people-friendly than some of the UK bred horses I have come across. I think the ones with a dodgy temperament just got a bullet, because of what use on a ranch is an awkward horse?
It is only when you get to competitions/races and performance horses that what it does is more important than how it is to handle.
It seems to be the custom for children to learn to ride on safe, steady older horses. You are pretty secure on a western saddle and correctly trained western horses are trained to react to the slightest aid.
I think a chid on a nice steady horse is a lot safer then a little b....ger of a native pony that may be closer to the ground, but can be little devils. The good ones are worth their weight in gold.
I agree that watching the video he does seem a tiny tot, with no hard hat, but some horses are baby sitters.
It is only when you get to competitions/races and performance horses that what it does is more important than how it is to handle.
It seems to be the custom for children to learn to ride on safe, steady older horses. You are pretty secure on a western saddle and correctly trained western horses are trained to react to the slightest aid.
I think a chid on a nice steady horse is a lot safer then a little b....ger of a native pony that may be closer to the ground, but can be little devils. The good ones are worth their weight in gold.
I agree that watching the video he does seem a tiny tot, with no hard hat, but some horses are baby sitters.
PingPongPony
Well-Known Member
when i first started riding at the age of 6 i was put straight onto a 16hh horse. i learned to turn, halt, walk, trot, canter, jump and all the other stuff on it and when i moved to england 5 years ago i was 11, and i was looking for a horse to ride i couldn't find one, everyone seemed to try and shove me onto 14hh ponies. i gave up after a while and had to settle for a crazy 14.2hh but i could never get on with ponies! ever. and tbh i never wanted to do all the pony stuff as riding a pony makes me feel uncomfortable, the strides are too short for me and i don't feel safe when i'm close to the ground, i definitely feel safer the higher up i am. i have shared a most amazing 14.2hh jumping pony for a year, she has a big stride (bigger than my current 16.1hh mare) and as much as i love her and really felt comfy on her, i never feel as safe as i do on a 16hh+. when i tried to jump her, i just couldn't do it! the jumps looked huge even at 2ft! now i'm comfortably jumping 3ft3 on my 16hh and even thou she spooks and is more likely to rear, bolt and buck or even fall over with me than the 14.2hh was, i still feel safer on her. the safest i ever feel on a horse is when i go back to my old riding school and ride my fave 18.1hh, very naughty and cheeky horse but i feel so safe that i could fall asleep on him.
A few of my friend who are also my age and some as tall as me (5ft11) still ride 14hh ponies as they don't feel safe on horses as since they were little they rode ponies only. Some of them look absolutely ridiculous and are more suited to a 15.2hh at least, size wise but they choose to stay on ponies.
So I think keeping kids on ponies for as long as possible will make the transition form ponies to horses much harder later on unless of course they don't have to make the transition. But then again i also think it should be left for the rider to decide, afterall they ride the pony/horse so they should be able to choose cuz theres nothing more frustrating than riding something you don't like or don't want to ride. If i ever have kids and they want to ride a 16hh horse, as long as the horse is sensible, i'll let them but 16hh for under 10 is probs the maximum height i'd be comfortable with. but i won't mind if they choose a section a to ride or if they choose not to ride at all!
A few of my friend who are also my age and some as tall as me (5ft11) still ride 14hh ponies as they don't feel safe on horses as since they were little they rode ponies only. Some of them look absolutely ridiculous and are more suited to a 15.2hh at least, size wise but they choose to stay on ponies.
So I think keeping kids on ponies for as long as possible will make the transition form ponies to horses much harder later on unless of course they don't have to make the transition. But then again i also think it should be left for the rider to decide, afterall they ride the pony/horse so they should be able to choose cuz theres nothing more frustrating than riding something you don't like or don't want to ride. If i ever have kids and they want to ride a 16hh horse, as long as the horse is sensible, i'll let them but 16hh for under 10 is probs the maximum height i'd be comfortable with. but i won't mind if they choose a section a to ride or if they choose not to ride at all!
Indigo Moose
Well-Known Member
It depends entirely on the horse and the child. I got my first horse (15hh) at 12 and never looked back - I was never a big fan of ponies.
jinglejoys
Well-Known Member
I was told that they didn't put children on ponies in the USA because they were not safe enough...having seen my share of scatty ponies I can see why especially when they have quarter horses
Chico Mio
Antedeluvian
While I was having my lesson yesterday, a little lad of about 7 came into the arena riding a massive horse - I'd guess it was around 16.2hh at least. I occasionally share my lesson with a little girl, who I think is about 8, and who always rides a 16hh lusitano. I don't think there is anything wrong with small kids on big horses so long as the horse isn't a nutter, but I do think it's a bit sad that some kids miss out on the phase where you can ride tiny ponies, fall off every other day and not worry about getting hurt
Yep. My yard is like this...some kids are so small their legs don't get past the saddle flaps! I am not kidding, they are maybe 5, 6, 7 and riding horses bigger than my Ari (16.2).
Ths little girl was five at the time and that is the horse that her parents bought her - an Espanola stallion called Aguacate (Advocado!)
brighteyes
Pooh-Bah
No problem as long as they don't actually think they are riding them! Leg into hand is impossible if your heels are still on the saddle flaps so pure, true connection must be impossible too! It's very much down to the generosity of the individual animal and that horse is a superstar, even if it looks completely out of sparkle and enthusiasm.
Chico Mio
Antedeluvian
'Leg into hand' is not a big point in learning to ride at my yard - staying on, keeping horse on the track - or at least in the arena- changing hand when screamed at and generally not crying are the best most of them can hope for
charliehands
Well-Known Member
I was 10 in this photo, i used to ride this horse regularly. He was the most amazing gently giant ever.
rhino
Well-Known Member
As above - totally depends on the horse.
My horse (16hh) will look after the littlest of riders. This is my little brother (5) - first time on a horse ever!
Obviously he was only led round but years ago I remember a gutsy little jockey of the same age at my yard who had an 11.2hh welshy. She would happily take my boy round a course of 2'6 to 3' jumps in the field. She went on to become one of the country's leading junior showjumpers..
My horse (16hh) will look after the littlest of riders. This is my little brother (5) - first time on a horse ever!
Obviously he was only led round but years ago I remember a gutsy little jockey of the same age at my yard who had an 11.2hh welshy. She would happily take my boy round a course of 2'6 to 3' jumps in the field. She went on to become one of the country's leading junior showjumpers..
Vixen Van Debz
Well-Known Member
I must admit that I feel uncomfortable watching little kids on big horses, but in theory I don't see a problem with it. I mean, any horse is stronger than it's rider (even a 12hh RS pony) and could tank off despite a bit piece of metal between its teeth. So what's the difference if it's bigger apart from being further to fall (which is true for adult riders too)? I think I'd rather a little kid on a steady, well tempered 15.2 than on a batty, rearing, bucking bronco of a Welshy for example.
Anyway, I think riding ponies is a wonderful privelege as it's much easier to be too big for a pony than to be too small for a horse. Lots of people literally grow out of ponies, and their natures are often beneficial in hardening up and rounding off young riders. My preference is for enjoying them for as long as possible!
Anyway, I think riding ponies is a wonderful privelege as it's much easier to be too big for a pony than to be too small for a horse. Lots of people literally grow out of ponies, and their natures are often beneficial in hardening up and rounding off young riders. My preference is for enjoying them for as long as possible!
Spotsrock
Well-Known Member
I was 10 in this photo, i used to ride this horse regularly. He was the most amazing gently giant ever.
Lovely horse
JessPickle
Well-Known Member
We have a 15.1hh and a 17.1hh horse, if I was looking to put a child on a horse I'd put em on our 17.1hh anyday, he is safe as anything and brilliantly behaved. This is him with a girl at my old yard, she could happily walk, trot and canter him, people of similar size have also jumped him.
So I think it depends on the horse, shetlands are often cheeky little buggers, who are much harder to ride than some bigger horses. Not quite the same as the above massive horse tiny rider, but I'd never had my own horse till 17.1hh Pickle and was only 14
So I think it depends on the horse, shetlands are often cheeky little buggers, who are much harder to ride than some bigger horses. Not quite the same as the above massive horse tiny rider, but I'd never had my own horse till 17.1hh Pickle and was only 14