Owning a horse or pony is a dream for many little girls and boys. Unfortunately for them, the answer to their pleas is usually a firm no. However, if your child is truly interested in horses, there are other things they can do. Learning to ride can provide them with many benefits. They range from helping them to keep fit to having empathy for animals. Horse riding lessons can be more expensive than other hobbies. But it's often worth it to see your child happy. If you want to offer them the chance to try it out, here's how they can get started with learning to ride.
Benefits of Learning to Ride
You might already have heard a lot of reasons for allowing your child to have horse riding lessons. However, what a child thinks a good reason and what you think is one aren't necessarily the same thing. There are several fantastic benefits to letting your kids have lessons. Apart from getting them out of your hair for a couple of hours a week, of course! For one thing, it encourages children to keep fit. They'll get out into the fresh air and feel enthusiastic about remaining active. It can improve their coordination and balance. And it can even help them with their social skills. They can gain more confidence, and they'll develop a love of and respect for horses for life.
Consider the Cost
The price of horse riding lessons is going to be a concern for any parent. It might be a lot cheaper than owning a horse, but it's still not inexpensive. When you're thinking about how much the lessons will cost, consider the outcomes and experiences your child will get out of it. You can check prices at a few different riding schools, although you may pick the one closest to you. Check with the school about how payment works and whether you have to book a whole course. It would be a waste of money to pay for ten weeks if your child could only attend for six of them.
Book a Taster Session
Both you and your child might be tempted to jump right in and book a run of lessons right away. But if they haven't ever been on a horse before, it's best to try it out first. Many riding schools will allow you to book a taster session so that your child can see if they like it. You could even do one too if you're interested in lessons for yourself. The session could last an hour or two. It will let your child get a feel for being on a horse and decide if it's something that they want to pursue.
Look for Lessons
Once your child has tried it out and decided they want to continue, you can book some lessons for them. Most of the time, you will be looking at booking a run of lessons on consecutive weeks. Some places might have looser lessons you can book into on a weekly basis. Pick a course when you know that your child will be available for every lesson so that they never miss out. If you have holidays and family events planned, it might be best to wait for a later date. You don't have to choose lessons at the school where your child had a taster session. However, if it was a good experience, you might want to go with the same place again.
Buy the Kit
The riding school should provide hats and, for smaller children, body protectors. However, if your child is planning to keep learning, you might want to invest some money in their equipment. Don't rush out any buy anything right away, as you may find they're bored after their first lessons. But if they want to continue, you can buy some items that fit them well. You may want them to have some one-on-one lessons after having done a group course. Buying a hat and some other bits and pieces will make the dedication to learning more stable.
Hire a Horse
So, your child has been learning to ride for a few years. Perhaps they have even started competing or going on longer trips. Is it time to get them a horse of their own? There's a lot to think about before buying a horse, and the cost is only a small part of it. Instead of jumping into buying a horse, you might consider hiring one on a few different occasions. This gives you the opportunity to experience what it's like to care for a horse for longer periods. You can even hire a horse or pony on a more permanent basis. If you to give your child the chance to learn how to look after a horse, this is a good way to do it. Teenagers could also look for jobs or volunteering opportunities in stables.
Buy a Horse
There might come a time when you decide it's time to purchase a horse. If this day arrives, you need to consider it very carefully. There are several expenses you have to keep in mind, beyond the initial cost for the horse. Your horse will need somewhere to stay, food and bedding, and will have veterinary costs. They will have everyday expenses for their care, from Equest wormer to hoof trimming. Horses also require a lot of time and attention. Your child (not just you) needs to be prepared to put a lot of their spare time into caring for their horse. They have to groom them, make sure they get plenty of exercise and watch out for their health.
Owning a horse can be an excellent opportunity to teach your child responsibility and help them develop their knowledge of the animals. But you need to ensure that they're prepared to step up and prove they can follow through on their promises.
Your child's first horse riding lessons could lead to much more. From one lesson, they could grow a lifelong passion that takes them to high places.
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