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HI Alice:
My daughter, Becky, started to ride when she was
about 9 years old. Put her on a pony first and then at 11 she graduated to
a full size horse. She had to ride for at least 15 minutes everyother
day at first and when she didn't want to, turn Bubbles loose in the outdoor
arena. When she rode a full size horse, Chip had to be ridden 30
minutes every other day or turned out into the outdoor arena to run
around. Along with the riding, she had to help clean her own stall and
brush Bubbles or Chip. I'm a firm believer that kids have to be told and
not asked if they want to clean the stall and the horse -- and there were days
when Becky didn't want to go to the barn but she went anyway. A horse
is a responsibility. I think the secret is to let the kid do what they
want to a point and then point out they have to do the other stuff. But
then I'm from the 'old school' of child rearing where kids had chores and did
what parents told 'em to do -- in stead of parents doing what kids tell
them to do.
Becky never rode endurance -- no interest
there. I let her decide what direction she wanted to ride
in. Today she's married with two sons and juggles three horses,
teaches kids basic riding (and safety), helps on three or four ranches and
is out today helping to sort, brand, worm and move cattle to
pasture.
One thing I'd like to say to EVERYONE out there
with kids -- teach 'em safety around horses!! Don't walk up behind a
horse. Don't tie the leadrope to a wrist. Wear shoes around a
horse. Don't ride in the barn. Teach 'em the blind spots on
horses. Talk to a horse so he knows where you are. Don't tease
a horse with carrots or apples and it's not safe to let a horse try to pull a
carrot from a pocket.
Now for a commercial -- there's a video called "Hit
the Trails" that has a short segment at the end of how to get a kid ready to
trail ride. They talk about tack, size of animal, kids wear and then
taking a child on a trail ride. It's on my website, www.twohorseenterprises.com.
Also -- remember, how hard you push a kid and how
much fun and enjoyment they get out of it will determine how LONG they'll
continue to ride.....so make it fun and let them decide how far and how fast
they want to go and in what direction of equine involvement.
Bonnie Davis
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2002 12:07
PM
Subject: Re: [RC] [RC-Digest] Vol:
02.0919
I feel much better about the amount I get to ride
now! I only manage a long training trip every other w/e usually b/c I try not
to neglect my husband and daughter.
I asked this question earlier, but
no one really asked. How long a ride does a small child, age 5, tend to
average. I know it will depend on their dedication, but I'm curious what your
experiences have been. I'm wanting to start taking Maggie and her pony out for
rides. He's got a very full coat and I suspect I won't want to do much more
than 1-2 hours of walking and a bit of trotting at first b/c he's not in
condition at all. But is that too long for my daughter. I suppose I could
always pony him out with me on some of these rides to start him out.
At
09:37 AM 12/22/02 -0800, you wrote:
Your methods are approximately
what I've done with my horses. It
works for me. I share your
belief that the the intense training
schedules some people advocate often
results in overconditioned
horses.
Alice Yovich, MA, MT-BC
Mommy, Horse lover, Music
Therapist
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