When shopping for a lesson program, it's really important to look at safety practices around the barn -- including less-obvious things, like are the fences and stalls and gates in good repair (they do NOT have to be fancy, but they need to be SOUND), and are the kids well-supervised 100% of the time.
Then you want to look at how good the instructor is with kids -- does he or she seem to 'get' kids, you know? It can be rather tricky to instill good riding practices in a 6 yr old without somebody getting frustrated or bored , but it's really important to find someone who's good at it. Excessive yelling is bad; just telling the kids what NOT to do (rather than helping them learn what TO do, and how) is bad; sitting there chatting with parents, boarders or barn help while the kids trudge round and round and round and round is not actually bad but not necessarily optimal either.
I'd say those are the two biggies. Also be aware that some places are very show-oriented, or very closed-minded about other types of riding; probably the best place for a kid to start out riding is a low-key barn that at most does just a little 'fun' showing and even if they only teach one discipline at least doesn't have a chip on their shoulder about the others.
Good luck,
Pat
Then you want to look at how good the instructor is with kids -- does he or she seem to 'get' kids, you know? It can be rather tricky to instill good riding practices in a 6 yr old without somebody getting frustrated or bored , but it's really important to find someone who's good at it. Excessive yelling is bad; just telling the kids what NOT to do (rather than helping them learn what TO do, and how) is bad; sitting there chatting with parents, boarders or barn help while the kids trudge round and round and round and round is not actually bad but not necessarily optimal either.
I'd say those are the two biggies. Also be aware that some places are very show-oriented, or very closed-minded about other types of riding; probably the best place for a kid to start out riding is a low-key barn that at most does just a little 'fun' showing and even if they only teach one discipline at least doesn't have a chip on their shoulder about the others.
Good luck,
Pat