Oz you are definitely in rare form today
BTW I may be a bit biased because I have loved horses since I was young, but I think riding is excellent for children. I have ridden both English and western and would recommend starting with dressage. Even if the child wants to ride a different discipline later, dressage will teach them balanced, centered riding working with the horse's body and not just using the reins to communicate. The bit should be the last line of communication with the horse. Your body position should be the first.