RuthM
Well-Known Member
I took my 4 yr old daughter for a riding lesson today but I'm not going back. A 16" saddle with adult leathers wound round so often they formed a disc, a bridle so small the throatlash could not be tied so was wound to the cheek piece - worst of all a loose ring far too small bit that could not sit with the rings outside the mouth. I asked the 'instructor' if the pony was male or female, it took her looking both places (under the tail twice!) before she could answer.
I really want to teach her, I want to know the pony she rides, I want the pony she rides to know me. She's a small 4 and I want her to learn to balance well, rise to the trot and use her legs before she has reins. I'd like her to watch the pony she rode work on the lunge and get a feel for the relationship, I'd like to be able to lunge with her on board too.
Problem is, I have scarce money. I scraped enough for 10 lessons and hoped I'd figure something out. As a kid I worked for rides, as an adult I was paid to ride but my horse friends (old employers) are too far away and only have horses. I go back to uni next year and after that I should earn a decent wage but inbetween money will be even more scarce.
I can't help but think every county must be awash with under used 11h - 12h ponies as I doubt many people ask very young kids to ride daily. I'd love to just 'borrow' a younger pony once or twice a week. I've 2 decades experience of big yard work and references to match. If I could earn rides as a skrawny know nowt kid, surely I could earn them for her now? Only I think an 11yr old leaning over a field fence asking if they want help is quite cute - a 41 yr old just damn weird!
Is working for rides still out there? Does anyone know people who do it? If you let someone ride your horse pony for free how did you meet them?
I really want to teach her, I want to know the pony she rides, I want the pony she rides to know me. She's a small 4 and I want her to learn to balance well, rise to the trot and use her legs before she has reins. I'd like her to watch the pony she rode work on the lunge and get a feel for the relationship, I'd like to be able to lunge with her on board too.
Problem is, I have scarce money. I scraped enough for 10 lessons and hoped I'd figure something out. As a kid I worked for rides, as an adult I was paid to ride but my horse friends (old employers) are too far away and only have horses. I go back to uni next year and after that I should earn a decent wage but inbetween money will be even more scarce.
I can't help but think every county must be awash with under used 11h - 12h ponies as I doubt many people ask very young kids to ride daily. I'd love to just 'borrow' a younger pony once or twice a week. I've 2 decades experience of big yard work and references to match. If I could earn rides as a skrawny know nowt kid, surely I could earn them for her now? Only I think an 11yr old leaning over a field fence asking if they want help is quite cute - a 41 yr old just damn weird!
Is working for rides still out there? Does anyone know people who do it? If you let someone ride your horse pony for free how did you meet them?
