Do you think a 4 year old can start horse riding lessons????

[Wildsky]

Quote:

 

[hcammack]

started when I was five so its not to early just make sure the first year is good and is she falls of make her get back on. that how I learned I fell of in a lesson 10 times once the teacher just made me get back on.

henry

 

[Standard Hen]

Every situation is different. My daughter did not start "lesson" lessons until she was almost six. We tried it earlier but the attention span was not there and the instructor was honest and said until that happens just lead line etc. as to not waste money on lessons.
It is good that the horses are bomb proof but they are animals with a mind of their own and I have seen many young children have a bad experience and refuse to ever get on again. My opinion is a smaller horse/pony is better to start out as the fall is not as far! Small ponys can be nasty but there are some sweethearts out there. We had one but hse had to ride many a difficult mount many times which is the outcome of the rider she is today.
I would encourage her 100% but in a child sort of way tell her she will need to start out slow. Horses are a wonderful thing!!!!!!!

 

[chickenranchwife]

I was raised like Carri, no your neice is not too young. Actually the younger learning the better horsemanship she will have.

 

[valmom]

My daughter started at 5 after at least a year of bugging me and lead line riding my big horse. Five was the youngest the lesson teacher at the barn would take and with my daughter I knew I was NOT going to be able to actually teach her anything. She started on a pony, though, and on a longe line. She didn't like that, but since it was a "teacher" and not mom, she didn't fight with it. We then graduated to her own pony. Then her own horse. Then mom's horse.

 

[southernsibe]

I don't think it is too early. I was riding at that age. Wish I rode as good now as I did when I was a kid. Lost a lot of flex and finesse when I was away from it so long.

Helmets, an absolute must. The newer ones are so much lighter and easier to wear then the ones most of us probably learned with. I still have my old helmet, but don't wear it anymore, it is so heavy and constricting compared to what is available.

Let us know how it goes!
Rachel

 

[chickbea]

The sooner kids start doing physical things the better. I first got on a horse at two.
As for riding off leadline, she should be able to demonstrate basic skills first. I don't think the size of the horse matters either (the first horse I ever rode was a Percheron, and the horse I showed on from age 8-11 was a 17 hand thoroughbred). What matters is the temperament of the horse. Ponies may be close to the ground, but I've known some ornery ponies in my day, that's for sure!

 

[k625]

Definately NOT too young. I have been riding sinece I was 7 but have been around MANY horse families where they started training thier kids extremely young. One of them now is was just the top male rider under 18 in jumpers, and I expect will be in the olympics within the next 5 years. I have taught lessons to 3 and 4 year olds. My 4 year old was the cutest thing ever, had total coordiantion. She was already doing a posting trot, two pointing, and going over cross rails. At times when she felt comfortable she would pick up a small canter. I say go for it!!!!!!!!!

 

[CarriBrown]

I agree that you may not be able to teach a 2, 3, 4 or even 5 year old anything in a lesson. However, the important thing is the exposure! My parents had me on a horse at any chance, even if it was my mom's 17 hand dressage horse. At that age, just learning how to "hang on" without hanging on the horse's mouth is great. Take it at whatever pace the child needs. Sounds like chickenranchwife and I were on the same page... I was barley five when I did my first off line show and I showed with 10 year olds (and got second!).
The more exposure the better... she will have better horsemanship and riding a horse will be as natural as walking on her own two feet. Even better, she will have "horse sense", which will help keep her out of trouble throughout her riding days.