https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Jul 2026 04:52:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-978761 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 15:12:14 +0000 littlek 978761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I would start at 5 or 6 at the earliest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-978714 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 15:00:42 +0000 immabeetoo 978714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Crumbs: thaattts adorable. I rode English primarily (as they are in that pic) but one of the only things I'd check if I were you is that little one's need a heel on their boot so their foot can't slip in. (With western they often have 'boxes' aka tapaderos on the front to prevent: <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://queryhorse.com/photos/tapaderos.jpg&#038;imgrefurl=http://queryhorse.com/toppages/articles/tapaderos.asp&#038;h=264&#038;w=250&#038;sz=7&#038;tbnid=fKZNBIpooqMYaM:&#038;tbnh=90&#038;tbnw=85&#038;zoom=1&#038;usg=__AGbJURf855Si0ofc-mYbMtnvg2M=&#038;docid=tWYayJRG9IbObM&#038;sa=X&#038;ei=2mv5UeWrEOyuyAHVnoCACw&#038;ved=0CDIQ9QEwAA&#038;dur=280)" rel="nofollow">http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://queryhorse.com/photos/tapaderos.jpg&#038;imgrefurl=http://queryhorse.com/toppages/articles/tapaderos.asp&#038;h=264&#038;w=250&#038;sz=7&#038;tbnid=fKZNBIpooqMYaM:&#038;tbnh=90&#038;tbnw=85&#038;zoom=1&#038;usg=__AGbJURf855Si0ofc-mYbMtnvg2M=&#038;docid=tWYayJRG9IbObM&#038;sa=X&#038;ei=2mv5UeWrEOyuyAHVnoCACw&#038;ved=0CDIQ9QEwAA&#038;dur=280)</a></p> <p>Anyways, I'm sure at that age it's more of a pony ride than if you think your LO would be safe/listen well enough I'm sure it would be fine. </p> <p>I will add that I was seriously injured when someone brought out their 3 year old to our barn and she didn't listen to the "no running, be quiet" admonition. She started twirling her rain coat and the young pony I was training, and just sitting on for the first time, bolted and I eventually fell off, with my arm stuck in a gate and the rest of me falling to the other side and down. It ripped ligaments in my shoulder blade and gave me permanent nerve damage :( The little girl &amp; mom felt terrible, and it was just a freak thing, but just as food for thought! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-978641 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:38:03 +0000 skibobrown 978641@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wish my parents had planned my horseback riding lessons like this. Instead I had to beg and beg until they finally relented! We do have a local stable here, but I think I'll probably just wait until DD asks for lessons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-978614 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 14:32:31 +0000 Honeybee 978614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was talking with a woman a couple weeks ago who said they start kids as young as 18 months at their stable. I surprised (that seems young to me!) but the way she described it sounded more like a "Mommy and Me" class. At 3, they start doing lessons with a teacher, instead of a caregiver. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-978211 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 12:44:34 +0000 Dapple Grey 978211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Crumbs: I just got slayed by cuteness with that pic!</p> <p>I guess it depends really on the organization who gives the lesson- if they have an age limit and also what safety precautions do they use for the little ones?</p> <p>I think most places do around 7 years of age, and a lot of it is based on size and comprehension. I mean at 3-5 you can most certainly sit on the horse and bump around with assistance but when you really get into equitation/whatever discipline you choose, it takes a lot of coordination and comprehension skills that the younger tots may not have yet :)</p> <p>super exciting! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-977570 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 09:28:49 +0000 prettylizy 977570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started taking lessons at 7. Before that you can certainly get comfortable and a good base and balance but it's difficult if your feet don't go down below the saddle to really be able to do much in the way of connecting with the horse and giving it commands. I ride English though and I know our saddles tend to come lower down their sides. I can't wait for DD to be old enough to ride!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-977547 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 09:23:20 +0000 BoogieBea 977547@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So cute! This wasn't lessons but my son did some horseback riding last year at age 3 and loved it. He still talks about how the horse ate a carrot out of his hands. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-977537 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 09:19:25 +0000 Mrs. Pen 977537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Crumbs: oh my gosh adorable!!</p> <p>I never took riding lessons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-977530 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 09:17:50 +0000 deactivated_account 977530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Crumbs: oh my gosh. That picture is too cute. </p> <p>And FYI: I am starting to feel left out with all this hobit talk! :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-977091 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:08:25 +0000 loveisstrange 977091@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww. I used to ride and I loved it! I started like 6-7?</p> <p>The little ponies are too cute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-977090 Wed, 31 Jul 2013 04:04:30 +0000 SugarplumsMom 977090@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm virtually clueless when it comes to horses, and when we saw that the neighborhood riding school offered classes from 3 years and up (max 50 kg), I thought it would be a semi-near possibility. It's a pony riding school with a few Shetland ponies. I admit, the cuteness factor is what lured me in! :happy: </p> <p>But DD isn't close to 3 yet, and we're not even sure if she'll be interested. But they have drop-in classes, so it doesn't have to be a commitment. </p> <p>@Mrs. Twine: @scg00387: Thank you! When the time comes, hopefully we'll all still be hanging around HB, I'll msg you &lt;3</p> <p>@Modern Daisy: @PermaStudent: I was not aware of the danger, thank you. It does make sense and definitely something to consider.</p> <p>@MrsMcD: Affordable riding schools are one of the perks in living in small town (it's actually considered a village by most). Hehe.</p> <p>I've attached a picture from their site. Doesn't it conjure up images of Hobbiton? :) :)</p> <p>[attach=1448/13/mqsmjz.400x264.Uteritt.jpg] </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-976476 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 17:59:45 +0000 Running Elley 976476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The stables where I took lessons required children to be at least 7 before starting lessons. My sister started at 7 (I started at 9) and she did really well! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-976467 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 17:49:11 +0000 MrsH 976467@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started at six at horse camp (at our local YMCA summer camp) and took private lessons around age 8. Dh has been riding since he was four his family owns horses. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-976400 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 17:06:12 +0000 wheres_c 976400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also started at 5. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-976242 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 15:46:54 +0000 Synchronicity 976242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Around here a lot of instructors won't start until a certain age because young children aren't covered under insurance. I want to say somewhere around 5-6 but I'm not completely positive. I didn't start until later in life (I was a teen), but my sister started when she was 8 and that seemed to be a great age for it.</p> <p>ETA: Like a previous poster said, it really is quite dangerous. Every kid falls off at some point, even with the calmest horse, and it doesn't take much for the fall to be serious. That's why I wouldn't start my kids in lessons until later (8-10ish) when they have more balance and coordination. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-976083 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 14:50:44 +0000 Modern Daisy 976083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started at around 8 or 9. It was fun for a few years until my Mom basically used it as 'day camp' during the summertime since she was a SAHM and didn't want us around all day with nothing to do, but we were too young to work. Once I was forced to do it all day every day I started hating it, but it can be very enjoyable! I will say that it's a lot more dangerous than people realize, even with really old, tame horses you can have pretty bad accidents. So definitely wait until they're a little older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-976067 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 14:45:06 +0000 pelikila 976067@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on the instructor. Some of them around us will start pretty young but most of the bigger places request 6 years or older I believe. My 2 year old would be in heaven if he could take horse back riding lessons but I just don't think I'm ready yet for that kind of expense when he won't be learning the care part very well yet since he's so young. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-976052 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 14:40:04 +0000 Rescuemom10 976052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan to around 5. But she will def be around them with myself and Family before then. Just not Official lessons until later. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975908 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:55:29 +0000 deactivated_account 975908@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Crumbs: Can I be your child, too? I love horses! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975904 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:54:40 +0000 Lozza 975904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't start till 9 or 10, but I helped out with a riding camp as a teenager where the youngest was 4 years old. At that age, all she did was basically take supervised pony rides around, and learned a little bit about caring for the horses. I'd probably start a mature kid around 6, maybe 5, where they could start to have some independence, and wait a couple extra years if my kid had trouble focusing or understanding appropriate behavior around animals- like PP said, you want them to be mature enough to be safe. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975876 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:46:51 +0000 Mrs. Champagne 975876@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 10.. but there was younger kids too! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975871 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:45:35 +0000 immabeetoo 975871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends 100% on the kid to be honest. I started lessons myself at 9 and taught lessons in college. Their attention span has to be mature enough to be safe around horses. I have seen lots of littles pushed into it earlier rather than later and since they were so small, they got frustrated faster and gave up sooner. You might check out Girl Scouts in your area if it's a daughter, they often have great, age-appropriate lessons/programs. I'd also be happy to help with any questions about choosing a stable/gear/etc. if you need it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975825 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:35:49 +0000 mediagirl 975825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I started around 8. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975783 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:29:06 +0000 mrsjazz 975783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The stables near our apartment starts lessons at age 6. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975770 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:26:35 +0000 hilsy85 975770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started around 7 I think...I think starting around 5 or 6 would work too though! I took lessons for over a decade and riding was a HUGE part of my life. I love love loved it...I hope your LO does too!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975693 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:06:23 +0000 Ra 975693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started when I was around 8, I think? I had my own horse when I was 11 or 12. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975689 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:05:16 +0000 Mrs. Twine 975689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ellie started at age five. For safety reasons I wouldn't start much younger than that. She is doing really well and making lots of progress. We plan to get her a horse when she is about ten or so. Feel free to ask me questions if you have any! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975670 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:01:12 +0000 regberadaisy 975670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>5 or 6? Maybe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/horseback-riding-classes-for-lo#post-975665 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 13:00:01 +0000 SugarplumsMom 975665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're thinking about enrolling your LO in riding classes, when's a good age? If you took riding lessons when you were younger, how old were you when you started? </p>