[kpingitquiet]

I was wondering what age most long-time horseback riders started with general exposure and guided learning? If you grew up with horses at home, when did your parents start to encourage riding?

Our daughter loves horses (all animals, really) and being outdoors, enjoys the dirt and dust, laughs when she falls down and then does it a few more times for fun, and just in general would likely be a very happy country girl. Alas, we live in suburbia with a view to moving to even more urban places. I look at the connection my half-sister has with horses and think that could be something very valuable for kiddo.

I remember going for rides from around 4 or 5yo onward but it was only occasional and not something my parents encouraged, so I'm not sure if 3 or 4yo would be too young for introduction to ponies, perhaps? Should we wait to see if she asks for lessons when she's much older or just go with our instinct that it's something she might grow up enjoying? What way would/did you go about it? Advice and warnings much needed! Thanks in advance.

[Mrs Manager]

My 3 year old has been on many a led pony ride and loves it. I think her first time on a horse was before she was 2.

A friend of mine bought her (very spoilt, though that is irrelevant) a pony for her 3rd birthday, and this little girl is now 4 and capable of riding and jumping on her own.

[LovingTheBeach]

As a child, I started lessons at 5 after begging my parents for many months. Mum got right into it as well and we both did lessons together and went from there! Over the years we had various ponies/horses and my much younger brothers learnt to ride our shetland pony from about 2 or 3 years. 3 is certainly not to young, so long as the pony is suitable. Perhaps start out by ringing a local stable that offers lessons, or ask at a Saddleword shop (or your local equivalent) if they can recommend someone that offers lessons. It was my instructer that came with us to look at potential ponies/horses to purchase before Mum and I (Dad just drove the float) were confident enough on our own, first time we did it ourselves ended badly, so just be wary of purchasing a pony without having someone experienced there with you. Hope this is helpful!

[*LucyE*]

I'm not a horse person. My 6 yr old DD is mad about them.

She has been on pony rides since she was just under 2 yrs old. This year she has just started proper lessons. Her instructor normally doesn't take children under the age of 7/8yrs depending on maturity. Prior to that age, her instructor suggests led pony rides for fun.

We will probably never have our own horse because I don't want the responsibility of them. Yes, I'm sure as DD gets older, she will feed, exercise and groom the horse but it ties us down when I want to travel too. At the moment, the stables she rides at is great and the students get to know the horses and some of the girls have favourites that they choose to ride regularly. Others like to change and swap around. Having that option is great. I'm also happy that DD is learning the mucky bits associated with keeping a horse without my involvement

[Lickety Split]

I got my first pony at 10 but was begging for one from about the age of 5. My DD is 3 and we have a mini on lease for her. I lead her around on said pony 2-3 times a week (less now as I'm 40+4 pregnant) and she enjoys brushing the pony and learning how to saddle her etc. We are going to join the local pony club too, which will be one morning a month until DD gets bigger and more confident, then she'll do a full day.

[Old Grey Mare]

Warning, warning, warning...... Actively discourage your child from any involvement with horses !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding. Our daughter was obsessed with them from about 3 onwards. Neither DH nor I have any sort of horse background. We started with occasional lessons at a local riding school when she was about 6. The kids didn;t just ride, they had to catch, saddle, groom, wash and feed the ponies too. From about 9 we leased a pony which she had to care for completely and (vainly hoping she would lose interest) gave in and bought a pony when she was 11. She is now on her third horse (16.2 hh thoroughbred ex racehorse). It can be an expensive pastime but has taught her so much. At 18 she now works full time at the local racetrack and still rides at Pony club once a month.

[happening]

I grew up in the country. My parents purchased my first horse on my first birthday, and I do not remember not riding.

Having said that, please be very careful. Although it's lots of fun and promotes confidence and responsibility. horseriding is an inherently dangerous activity.

[Wanalta]

DD began lessons at 4.5 yrs however she had grown up around my horse, watching me groom, feed, clean up paddocks etc so she understood that horses are not just for 'riding' but come with a great deal of responsibility.

Its only now, at 7.5yrs that I am taking a pony on trial to see if the pont suits her and if she suits the pony. DD has shown enormous interest in learning about horse care mananagement, she is learning natural horsemanship and seeks to understand the mind of the horse and sees the horse as entire being to create a relationship with, not just a riding machine. That tells me she is ready to own her own horse.

It helps that we live in the country though seriously doubt if either of us would own a horse if we lived in a major city as the costs would be far greater.

[Tikiboo16]

I got my first horse when I was a teenager... I begged my Mum since I was about 8 to let me have one and finally she caved. It was great, I had fun, and learnt a lot about responsibility, but I wouldn't buy one for myself now as they just take up sooo much time.

DD is 2.5 and she seems to have a bit of an interest already... she loves patting the horses down the road, and is always riding her rocking horse. I plan to start giving her a few pony rides when she is 3, but I won't let her on a pony at all until then. I don't think I'll let her ride on her own until 5 at least, and if she's interested in having her own horse when she's 7-8, we might look at it then. I had several nasty injuries from unpredictable horses and I want to make sure DD is able to understand this before she goes riding off into the sunset IYKWIM. A fall from a horse is much more painful (and scary) than a toddler crash in the dirt.

Having said that.. I think it's a wonderful thing for a kid to get into, and I would be chuffed if DD enjoyed it as much as I do.

ETA: I lived in a smaller city when I had a horse. It was suburbia but not a major city. I now would only consider another horse if we had plenty of space to ride around.. streets don't really cut it. It's still possible to find this in suburbia, but the country would be far more ideal.

This post has been edited by Tikiboo16: 20/02/2013, 02:19 PM

[Flaxen]

I loved horses from an early age, as did my mother who never owned one herself.
I had few pony rides as a very young child, mostly just got my interest from the horse paddocked next door.
I started lessons at 6yo, and got a pony on lease at 11yo, and mum bought me one at 13yo, and i kept him 15 years until he was sadly put to sleep last year.

I will be getting my DD a pony in a year or 2, she is 2yo now, and it will be when we move to our new house which is getting built on acres at the moment. Yes, its young fo get her a pony, but if i did not have extensive horse knowledge already i wouldnt be contemplating it. Theres a lot to learn!
Lessons once a week is definatley satisfactory until the age of 10 or 12yo, which is when most girls with non horsey familys finally take the plunge.
If you can ride several times a week aside from your regular lesson, getting your own horse is worthwhile, but for your situation OP i would stick to lessons at a riding school for a few years until you know how interested your DD actually is.
Over my years of horse ownership, holidays have never been a problem, ive always found someone to happily look after my horses for me.

ETA: Most Riding schools would not take children under 5/6, so maybe that will decide it for you. When choosing a riding school, dont go for the cheapest one, or the most exxy, look for one that has friendly and helpful staff, the grounds look to be well maintained, well kept horses which are brushed and look healthy, and one that uses quality tack (saddles bridles) They Do Exist!
There are lots of schools that give the rest a bad name and these have obnoxious staff, poorly kept horses which show an obvious lack of care, and remember- badly maintained tack is dangeous, its not just cosmetic! So just keep looking if this is what you are finding!
If you are in Victoria i may be able to recommend a few if you like.

This post has been edited by Flaxen: 20/02/2013, 02:40 PM