teaching a child to ride - advice please

B

Beatrice5

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 November 2009
Messages
1,276
Location
Somerset
Visit site
My 3rd born is very into all our animals but especially the Newfie I bought as a 2yo companion for my mare nearly 3 years ago.

I started backing him last year and he is a real laid back saintly pony.

Oliver (son) was the first to sit on the pony. With assistance up until recently has just sat on while I lead the pony. Firstly around the field and now after I have walked the pony out in hand for more than a year to acclimatise to traffic and ridden him out a few times we are going out on the lead rein for about 20 mins.

But Oliver seems to always end up leaning over to one side. It's not the saddle as without a rider on our tacked up walks out it doesn't move. When I ride it doesn't move so I have concluded it must be Oliver leaning.

How do I teach him to sit properly without denting his enjoyment and him sliding off?

Are there any excersizes I can do to promote a good seat?

I was plonked on a pony from as soon as I could sit up and hold the handle. I am told reliably by my parents I could do rising trot by the age of 2. I never had proper lessons until I did pony club aged 12 and then when I decided to start competing at low level dressage. So I never had the proper riding school start so any tips / advice would be willingly recieved.
 
No stirrups? I did it with mine on our Shetland, he bounced off a couple of times to start with but now his balance has come on loads :D
 
G et Oliver checked out, I lean to the right slightly, due to a slight curviture of the spine, not found till I was in my 40's but in order to sit upright while riding I have to sit more to the left which initially feels odd but works, I also benefit from riding without stirrups, although just at the walk
 
It's hard to suggest without knowing how old your son is. Can he balance normally in other situations?
I'd be very careful about interfering or bringing attention to it if he is young as it will possibly put him off. Why not think of some fun games to make him sit more upright? Hands above head and touching alternate toes, touching ponys ears and tail, round the world and all the fun type of games we used to do as kids. You can also test his core by giving a gentle nudge to him while he is sitting on the pony (warn him first!) and getting him to resist you, do this from all sides and make it a game, it will build core stability. Is there anything making it uncomfortable for him to sit upright? Tack hurting him or uncomfy underwear/boots etc. Does he sit upright at home or slouch?

I'd not worry too much as the main thing has to be that he enjoys it, though I can appreciate these things are annoying once you notice them. As long as there isn't an underlying cause such as a hip problem or one leg longer than the other, I'd just go with it.
 
Touching poll, dock, toes both sides, round the world all help. I am harsh but if you can do it safely (holding him) then put him on bareback - if he leans he will start to slide/ fall - let him a bit but obviously don't let him actually hit the ground. He will quickly learn to sit up as you have to be balanced bareback or you do fall.

I know harsh- wouldn't do it with someone elsee kid but would do it to mine if I had any- probably a good job I don't!
 
Lunge him so he can sit up and not have to worry about steering. This is how our children were taught and it's good for the pony as well.
 
I found with my sister, that as well as all the games mentioned above which she loves (touching different points, around the world etc.), that reminders every so often to sit up nice and tall as well as getting her to check the position of her shoulder-hip-heel helps. Obviously it depends what age your son is as well. I do find without the reminders that J's positioning can end up slouched or off to one side slightly... Unlike adults, she doesn't think about it without the reminder.
 
How old is he?

I agree with flirty girty, my daughter had a nasty fall ( she was thrown over her ponies head :( ) at age five, she was complaining her back hurt so took her to my chiropractor friend, he asked if she lent to one side when she rode, which she did and it was driving me insane!!! And he found she has a curvature if the spine!!!!

He gave her so exercises to do, and she is much better balanced.

I was blaiming the saddle
 
Business said:
Touching poll, dock, toes both sides, round the world all help. I am harsh but if you can do it safely (holding him) then put him on bareback - if he leans he will start to slide/ fall - let him a bit but obviously don't let him actually hit the ground. He will quickly learn to sit up as you have to be balanced bareback or you do fall.

I know harsh- wouldn't do it with someone elsee kid but would do it to mine if I had any- probably a good job I don't!
Click to expand...

My 5yr old is learning at a riding school and they do the above at each lesson. No stirrups too, her balance is far superior to mine :)
 
Depending on the age of the child there are lots of fun things you can do to help. The touching parts of the pony that others have metioned is a good one. Also try some standing exercises; standing up and touching ears, hands on hat, and streching up to the sky (my personal fav). I teach children of all abilities, and the main thing you have to think of is that it has to be enjoyable . As soon as a child finds something boring, they put in half the effort and concentration, so don't try to grill him about it, just add it in as a fun game
:)
 
Which way does he lean? Does he always lean to the same side? And which side do you lead the pony from?

It might be worth swapping about, as the pony may be slightly curving away from you as he walks, and so is pushing slightly more with one hind leg than the other which is quite subtle but enough to cause a little rider to be gently pushed to the side.

Just worth a try.
 
Oliver is nearly 7 and a big strapping lad. He is normally very balanced and can stand on his head so I think he will get the hang of it with no stirrups and bareback etc.

Thank you for suggestions when it stops raining I'll give them a go. I am sure he will think it all very funny not sure what pony will think but he is a sane chap and trusts me.

I lead from the ponies right hand side when we are on the road so I am between the pony and the traffic and can wave my arm to slow traffic or stop them if necessary.

Maybe I would benefit from doing these excersizes too :D

Thank you again.
 
You lot are FAB.

Yes son always tips to the left and I am on the right...... I get it now.... by leading from the right and holding the pony back when he out walks me I am tipping son out the other side door!

You guys got there way before me ;)

So how do I cure it - walk faster ? I cannot lead from the inside when on the road but can swap sides on the bridle paths.
 
I have been leading off the headcollar with the bridle over the top of it and son has the reins. He is in a nathe bit as he is very soft in the mouth. I guess I need to teach Oliver about weight aids too :D
 
lots and lots of work with no stirrups and long legs. When I was teaching our kids spent most of their lessons without stirrups at first along with 'around the world' and similar exercises. I still ride better without stirrups than I do with, and prefer it if I am honest, from learning to ride bareback. Whilst I have a terrible position, as I tend to slump when hacking through sheer laziness, I am well balanced and it takes a lot to shift me out of the saddle - useful when riding a particular nappy mare that spends more time on 2 legs than 4!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top