My Daughter was on about horse riding lessons she will be 4 in November is this to young to start lessons??

Im quite happy to take her for lessons won't buy all the clothes though until im sure she will stick with it you know what kids are like........

Karen

She'll be fine, girls seem to stick at it more than boys, she'll look ever so cute as well !!!!

Lorraine

You may find local stables have an age limit below which they will not take kids. If you do take her don't wait too long before investing in a hard hat. You may be able to borrow one at stable but check it for damage etc. I would not be here today if my hat hadn't taken the brunt of the impact when my horse fell jumping and kicked me in the head. Also can you try to let her have a bit of contact with horses to see if she seems to still be keen. first lessons may be best restricted to half an hour to allow for her not having a long concentration span. Hope it works out ok

my daughter started lessons when she was 7 (she is now 20) and has a job working with them. I think it is great for children to have an interest in something of this kind. Phone around to some local stables but I think you will find most of them will except her for lessons, we have always seen little tots riding. Be warned, if she takes to it her next question will be 'CAN I HAVE MY OWN HORSE' good luck

Thanks for replys.
Will give some stables a call tomorrow.

I will make sure she has a proper secure hat I would never let her on a horse without one and hope the stables wouldn't either.

Karen

Karen

Four is about the age most riding stables start taking children to ride.

I used to teach 'tots' lessons when I worked at a riding school when i was taking my BHS Exams and the main aim was to make the lessons fun. We did soe walking a troting them we used to do some games on the ponies. The lessons were half hour or 45 mins depending if they were on or off the lead rein.

You want to make sure the hat has the current standard printed inside. The current standards are BS EN1384, PAS015 or ASTM F1163.

HTH

Tracy

Hi Karen

Just to add to the thread...4yrs isn't to young to start....and she will be tought slowly anyway...with regards to the clothing...if you can find a second hand tack shop, you should be able to pick up a pair off kiddies jodhpurs and jodhpur boots for next to nothing...also Robinson's do them very cheaply....(they have a website). I would have thought you would need to start her off with at least those two things...

With regards to hat's never buy second hand...you can get jockey scull caps (and then just buy a second hand silk to fit...in fact I have loads of spare ones - they fit all size hats I think)...if you want one e mail me and I'll send it in the post ...

HTH

Natasha

Make sure any riding school you look at carries necessary insurance too - many in my area are closing or are not taking children because of heavy insurance costs!!

Pam n the boys

Karen

A good riding school will be insured, BHS registered (preferably with a BHS qualified instructor), fairly clean and tidy and the ponies should look healthy (not tired and thin). I think they have to have a child protection certificate now as well.

Just leggings and wellies will do for a start for her. She will have her first lessons on the leadrein. If she enjoys it, then you can look at getting her her own "equipment". If she intends to carry on, as others have advised you, the very minimum she will need is her own hat.

HTH

9th

Doesn't have to be BHS registered only, can be ABRS as well, BHS registration is VERY hard to get and some smaller schools just can't cope with it, ABRS (Association of British Riding Schools) is also a recognised registration. I have taught in both.

Word of mouth is the best recomendation, ask other mum's in the area, one school will always stand out more than the others with differing age groups.

Good luck, she will love it I'm sure!

Phoned some local riding schools and some will take her at 4 others at 5.

What im going to do is take my daughter to vist a view and for me to check the set up and ask about insurance etc and then we shall go from there.

Thank you all for replys it has been really helpful in knowing what to look for..

Karen

Hi karen just to let you know i started having riding lessons when i was three, many years ago as i am now 33, and very much into the classical riding theme and always looking to improve my seat, hope your daughter enjoys herself and no doubt will catch the horse bug like most girls do.