Horseback Riding What To Expect From Early Childrens Riding Lessons

Gaining an understanding about how a child will learn to ride is a frequent question from parents, and indeed the child will frequently be wondering what is likely to happen during their early horseback riding lessons. As you can imagine there any many different approaches but ultimately the riding yard, instructor and horse or pony used for lessons are critical to a successful learning experience. The majority of instructors would recommend that as often as possible, initial riding lessons should be on a one – to- one basis so that the child can be given the maximum attention at the beginning of their involvement with horse riding.

It goes without saying, that the riding you choose will have their own way of getting new riders started. More often than not, your child will start their first lesson greeting a fully tacked up mount, in the ring, under the guidance of their instructor. After suitable introductions, instructions for mounting will be provided. From here, your child can expect to receive a series of detailed instructions regarding position, control and feel. The first few lessons are typically conducted on a lunge line which affords the instructor control over your child’s mount allowing your child the ability to focus on the directions at hand. When the lesson has finished, the rider will be shown how to dismount. A basic mastery of steering should see riders progress off the lunge line.

The major variable in learning to ride, is the instructor. Each trainer brings a unique set of experiences, exercises and method of teaching to the ring. The information transfer from teacher to student is the ultimate goal and no two instructors offer the same method of training. In early lessons, an instructor will spend time working on position, feel and skills; more advanced lessons often find trainers fine tuning advanced techniques and movements with students. Instructors will spend lessons observing and commenting on your child’s progress. In a healthy learning environment, parents can expect an open dialogue between trainer and student. Use the first few lessons as an opportunity to get a feel for the instructor and their methods for teaching. As your child progresses, feel free to ask your trainer about expectations and preferences including tacking up, warming up and general preparedness for lessons.

The horse or pony selected for your child’s first few lessons will determine how your child will learn to ride. Ideally, depending on your child’s age and size, they will be appropriately paired with a suitable mount. A trustworthy bomb-proof horse or pony is the best option for a new rider. Here your child can focus on instructions and trust their equine partner will respond as requested. Regretfully, event 100% safe ‘bomb-proof’ mounts can also come with their own challenges in as much as your child may have to work harder to get the horse to respond at all. Rest assured, this is normal and will build your child’s resolve as a skilled equestrian. Lessons on highly strung mounts should be avoided whenever possible. Learning to ride is difficult enough; dealing with a problematic mount should not be one of them.

Your learning to ride will depend on the selected farm, instructor and equine partner. Rarely do two riders ever receive the same exact instruction on how to ride. As such, as a parent, select a credible and safe facility with skilled instructors and seasoned horses. From here, trust that the horseback riding instructors will help your child receive a safe start in the sport by providing ample guidance.

David Lee has been supporting his daughter in her love of horse riding since she started out in 2002. He has prepared a free report based some crucial Questions and Answers which every parent of a beginner horse rider needs to know -
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