s/o Horseback Riding

[poppy]

We are moving to town with lots of stables. Like half a dozen within 5 miles, many offering lessons.

My 8 year old wants a horse.

NOPE not happening.

But riding lessons might be very good for her.

 

She

1. doesn't have another sport  - I know riding is good for core strength

2. Has clinically significant anxiety issues,  and is super calmed by being around animals.

 

Let me know the ins-and-outs, please.

Looks like riding lessons are about $45-ish a hour.

So $200 a month or so.  Weekly lessons are the way to go right?

Plus we'd need helmet, boots.

Is that all? 

Is it worth it?

[Bluegoat]

It's like a lot of things - you can have a lot of fun with weekly lessons like that, and really they are not expensive all things considered.  The lessons, a helmet, and some boots (you want something with a heel, beginners often wear rain boots) and maybe gloves are about it.  If you have cold winters you need great winter clothes but those are good to have anyway.

 

Most kids that love it and stick with it will want to do more even if they don't have a horse.  two lessons a week are common, as is a horse lease or half lease.  At a certain point it is hard to make progress otherwise.

 

Younger kids might participate in a few fun type shows which don't cost much.  But if they are more serious, showing will start to cost more too, and they will need special clothes.

 

 

[poppy]

Twice a week, OK.  Eeep.

 

My husband (who grew up in horse country) thinks starting is a bad idea, since we don't want it to be massive investment. But I do also see positives in riding. 

[regentrude]

Absolutely worth it for starters. My kids started with once weekly lessons. DD eventually craved more, went to twice weekly, eventually leased a horse. DS took weekly lessons for a few years and then quit. You can start slowly.

Our stable had equipment for the kids to borrow initially, so you did not have to invest in boots and helmets until you were sure the kid sticks with it.

 

Do interview the trainers. Find out how they work with kids, whether they follow an agenda or are happy to let each kid develop at her own pace. Check that they are absolute sticklers for safety. our trainer would not let a student advance until she was sure it was safe to do so, and she never pushed.

Involving the student in horse care is important. Student should groom and tack up, under supervision - not have paid staff take care of that.

 

[Bluegoat]

Twice a week, OK.  Eeep.

 

My husband (who grew up in horse country) thinks starting is a bad idea, since we don't want it to be massive investment. But I do also see positives in riding. 

 

Some kids never get there.  But once they get to a more intermediate level, it is hard to improve in anything with an hour a week.

 

That's what stinks I think about a lot of these things - it's great at a casual level but as they go on the costs really ramp up.

[Paula in MS]

My daughter rode for 3 years (from 10-13) only once a week using a lesson horse.  You can definitely make good progress going this route, not as much as riding 4-5 days a week with your own horse, but still good.  It is also nice as a beginner to not lease or buy and ride a lot of different horses.  She will need a helmet and some simple boots with a heel, and that is really it to start.

 

I also agree with regentrude about learning horsemanship.  She should learn how to groom and tack herself.  You really want to look for a barn with horse people who are fully invested in their horses, not a place with professional grooms.  

[itsheresomewhere]

DD started riding last year. She has anxiety and what a difference riding has made in her. We ride once a week for 50 an hour.

[Katy]

I think it's one of those things like martial arts that are fantastic for kids.  Teaches emotional self-control and poise better than anything else because animals take over when you're not in control of yourself.  Fantastic for over emotional hormonal tweens.

 

See if there's a summer program where she can go every day for a few weeks to build skills, then once or twice a week should be fine.

[sheryl]

That is pricey.  However, it's not unheard of and perhaps I'm spoiled b/c we have homeschool-friendly classes and prices at various stables in our area.

 

Still, if money is no object, go for it.  If you need to be mindful of the expense, ask if they have a "work-to-ride" program.  Some places offer work/lesson and some offer work/ride.  Still other may pay or reduce the hourly rate.

 

This is more so for teens of (semi) working age.   But, it's something you may want to consider.  See if there is anything she can do to offset the price "if" that is an issue.  She'd learn tons more by actually being in such a program.   Again, age may be a factor - she's pretty young.  And, that is driven more by liability issues. 

 

You're asking for input.  If I understand correctly, your dd is s.n.   Ask the teacher if you can try it out a time or two.  See if they will customize a program for your dd to try it out.  I'd go for 2-3 times at 30 minutes.  My dd turns 17 next month and is in her 8th year of riding (both English and western) and she rides an hour.  It's a long time and more so for an 8 year old.  Trying it out will let your dd get a grasp for things.

 

BTW, is that 1 hour in the saddle or does that hour consist of grooming, tacking, ground work, saddle, etc? 

[Peaceful Isle]

My daughter takes riding lessons, once a week for an hour, for 240 dollars a month. About 20 minutes total is spent before and after grooming and such. We had to buy her riding boots as well.

It is a lot of money, but we are homeschooling under a charter, so it is all paid for by the school. I could not afford it otherwise.

 

About 200 dollars a month is reasonable in my area. Actually, on the cheaper side.

Edited April 29, 2016 by Peacefulisle

[hornblower]

My dd rode English for several years & I think it was very good for her. She got thrown a couple times and the whole literal get back up on your horse really is overall a good experience - so long as you land right & have a good helmet. Many riding schools here now insist on vests as well...

She also occasionally had to go out to the pasture to get her horse and he was a stubborn boy who was not always easy to catch. We got a small group of kids together 3-4 & rode during a weekday morning & got a discount over regular after school/weekend classes. If you can find something like that, you might be able to get the price down a bit. 

The kids had to arrive early to get their horses ready & they did all the clean up afterwards, including care of the tack. She was there easily 3 h. The lessons were relaxed & frequently ran over an hour as the instructor was laid back & willing to just hang out. It took almost an hour to get there too so it essentially took most of the day for us. 

Dd ended up quitting when she got really involved in dog training & specifically clicker training because as time went on, she started developing firmer opinions on behavior modification. There were only a handful of more "positive" stables here and they were much more expensive and she ended up feeling like she just couldn't continue at her stables. 

She & I both also came to have concerns about the different view of horse ownership that permeates a lot of the horse world, where horses are passed on sort of like inanimate objects. It all started to feel very wrong to her & she left that world.... We now know some people who have bought horses and intend to keep them for life, even if they can't be ridden anymore etc and so she knows there are other ways of being with and caring for horses but the regular school world of pony club just turned her right off. 

[38carrots]

If you have so much choice, look for natural horsemanship barns and check them out. It is not everyone's cup of tea, but you will be able to see / feel the difference. Also, be prepared to change barns. A barn that seems wonderful and perfect in the beginning might reveal its darker side as you end up knowing more. Good luck!

[Ottakee]

What type of riding does she want to do? Western or English? Speed? Jumping?

 

Another option is to check at local feed stores or your conty extension office for local 4H groups. Often 4h leaders will give lessons, have horses for lease, and have great riding groups for far less $ than a private lesson barn.

 

Also check the feed store and Craig's list for used tack sales....like giant horse related garage sales. There you can fined used clothes, boots, saddles, horse supplies, etc at a fraction of the cost of new. I would still get a good brand new well fitting helmet but used other stuff is generally great for young and growing students.

[poppy]

What type of riding does she want to do? Western or English? Speed? Jumping?

 

Another option is to check at local feed stores or your conty extension office for local 4H groups. Often 4h leaders will give lessons, have horses for lease, and have great riding groups for far less $ than a private lesson barn.

 

Also check the feed store and Craig's list for used tack sales....like giant horse related garage sales. There you can fined used clothes, boots, saddles, horse supplies, etc at a fraction of the cost of new. I would still get a good brand new well fitting helmet but used other stuff is generally great for young and growing students.

 

Western or English? I apparently have a lot to learn!

Is it, find a good horse place and do what they do (like the old adage about college, pick by professor not subject?)

Or for an anxiety-ridding kid, is it best to find a specific type of riding and seek that out?

[gardenmom5]

if your budget can handle the costs, and she would enjoy actually riding - go for it.  it's more than just core strength, but bilateral physiological development and balance as well.

 

dudeling did well with the few lessons we did (stables are all at least 30 minutes away) - but he is *very* difficult to find something with which he will continue.   we're almost done with a therapy program, and then back to activities.  I have to put my foot down he will do *something*!

[gardenmom5]

If you have so much choice, look for natural horsemanship barns and check them out. It is not everyone's cup of tea, but you will be able to see / feel the difference. Also, be prepared to change barns. A barn that seems wonderful and perfect in the beginning might reveal its darker side as you end up knowing more. Good luck!

what do  you mean by natural horsemanship?

we went through two barns, and they were very different.   (land here is expensive, so we have to travel to get to a barn.)

[Reefgazer]

That's a bit on the high side for lessons, but still within normal range.  We started out with weekly lessons, and once DD got established, she worked at the barn doing farm chores in exchange for access to a horse for riding for pleasure.  Your DD is a bit young, but in a few years, it might be something to consider.  Ask the barn if there are package deals that allow a cheaper-per-hour price; most barns offer that.  Ask for a barn tour and check to make sure the stalls are regularly mucked; there should not be an overwhelming manure stench, just a regular barn smell.  Grooming and caring for the horse is an important part of establishing a good working relationship with the animal, so a barn that saddled and grooms the horse for DD and brings it to her like a valet in a parking garage should be avoided.  It's important your DD do these chores on her own so she develops a bond with the animal, although the first few lessons, it makes sense to have the teacher/farmer do it.  For this reason, I think a natural horsemanship barn is better than a barn that is just interested in sitting you or on the horse, or a jumper barn.

 

Initially, you'll need a basic helmet (a decent helmet of < $100 gives you no worse protection than the $500 variety, BTW) and heeled boots to get started.  Jeans are fine, unless the barn is snooty, in which case, find another barn.  However, English riding is more comfortable with breeches instead of jeans (but that's a personal preference and not a requirement).  If your DD decides to show, she'll need more particular clothes. 

We are moving to town with lots of stables. Like half a dozen within 5 miles, many offering lessons.

My 8 year old wants a horse.

NOPE not happening.

But riding lessons might be very good for her.

 

She

1. doesn't have another sport  - I know riding is good for core strength

2. Has clinically significant anxiety issues,  and is super calmed by being around animals.

 

Let me know the ins-and-outs, please.

Looks like riding lessons are about $45-ish a hour.

So $200 a month or so.  Weekly lessons are the way to go right?

Plus we'd need helmet, boots.

Is that all? 

Is it worth it?

 

Edited April 30, 2016 by reefgazer

[Reefgazer]

If DD is special needs, a Western pleasure horse might be the best choice, because generally they are calmer and slower moving.  She can always switch to an English horse later, and most horses can switch between English and Western.  You might also consider a barn specializing in therapeutic riding, although those seem less inclined to let the rider tack and groom their own horses, so beware that.

Western or English? I apparently have a lot to learn!

Is it, find a good horse place and do what they do (like the old adage about college, pick by professor not subject?)

Or for an anxiety-ridding kid, is it best to find a specific type of riding and seek that out?

 

Edited April 30, 2016 by reefgazer

[38carrots]

what do  you mean by natural horsemanship?

we went through two barns, and they were very different.   (land here is expensive, so we have to travel to get to a barn.)

 

Well, one just has to look and see. There's Clinton Anderson and Pat Parelli, as the big names, and there many others. There are many places that claim to be NH, but aren't. There are many places that want to avoid the NH label like the plague, and yet they are NH in spirit.

 

For a child with anxiety seeing a horse slapped, even if not abusively, but simply mindlessly, as a matter of habit, "because that's what we do" might be traumatizing. Then again, if a barn claims to be natural and there are never any corrections and horses are in one's personal space and are given cookies for that, it is NH being misused (and this can be very dangerous).

 

For a child with anxiety, a child who feels deeply and is very sensitive, the realization that horses are controlled with harsh metal in their mouths might be traumatizing, especially when new riders don't have soft hands and lesson horses have the harshest bits. But you might find a barn when lesson horses are safe to ride in just rope halters (but rope halters can also be misused).

 

It could be a barn where corrections to horses are never punitive (and yet effective), where horse psychology is taken into account, where horses are kept outside 24/ 7 (imagine that! Don't we want them all "cozy" and oh so clean in their stalls?), where horses are happy and calm and will ground tie for grooming instead of being cross-tied. (And there are barns where cross-tying is never questions, because this is how things are done, period.)

 

I started as a newbie mom, and honestly, one has to be incredibly lucky to end up in the "right" barn right away. There's just so much information to absorb, so many subtle things to learn. What seemed great 5 years ago seems absolutely horrible now, I can't believe I brought my kid there. Yet, it was perfect then, it really was. (How does a non-horsey mom choose a barn? Well, people were so nice and friendly! lol) She learned so much there, including that she couldn't stay there, at some point. Even what seemed perfect a year ago is not so "perfect" now, as the more you learn, the more you can evaluate what's happening and the more you know, the more the tiny little things become prominent.

 

It truly is a jorney.

[Woodland Mist Academy]

I'm smiling. Ah, another 8yo horse-obsessed child. I'm reminded of a t-shirt that dds wore out (actually wore out a number of them) with the saying "Here's a little girl who would rather muck a stall than clean her room" and "Here's a little girl who would rather trot an 8 than dress to the 9's" or some such. Wildhorsefeathers.com has closed (so I hear) but ah, memories. I think we had some that said, "Eat, sleep, ride" too. And we gave a cap that said, "Because I'm the trainer". 

 

 

 

Another fun shirt:

 

My therapist lives in a barn.

 

Which isn't always true, of course. Our therapist has two homes - the pasture and the woods.  ;)

[Happy2BaMom]

I wouldn't get too wrapped around the whole NH thing, because that is a hot bed of opinions and arguments - for instance, I know a number of people who regard Clinton Anderson as very controversial (note: I don't have any personal experience with him, so I don't claim to know, - my point is that if you start getting too hung up on methods and trainers and terminology and competing opinions , you can easily get overwhelmed, and that's unnecessary as a beginner). If your daughter goes to a barn for lessons and likes it and is calmed by it, continue with the barn. If not, switch. Keep it simple - your experience (and your daughter's) should be your guide. 

 

You are not ready to lease a horse yet, but I just wanted to mention that my daughter "care leases" a horse - meaning we don't pay anything for the horse, we just pay for everything related to her care - food, farrier, worming. We have been averaging $200 a month (but we are not in a large city) in expenses, and my daughter rides nearly every day. I know you can also sometimes share a lease of a horse. The point being that, if this really works for your daughter, there may be less expensive ways to increase her horse time rather than paying $45/lesson. 

[obsidian]

Let me know the ins-and-outs, please.

Looks like riding lessons are about $45-ish a hour.

So $200 a month or so.  Weekly lessons are the way to go right?

Plus we'd need helmet, boots.

Is that all? 

Is it worth it?

All you need is a helmet and boots, and weekly lessons are definitely a good place to start. You can find good boots fairly cheaply on eBay -- Ariat is a good brand. Cheap is fine for helmets, so long as they meet ASTM/SEI certifications (basically all helmets should meet those certifications).

 

Western or English? I apparently have a lot to learn!

Is it, find a good horse place and do what they do (like the old adage about college, pick by professor not subject?)

Or for an anxiety-ridding kid, is it best to find a specific type of riding and seek that out?

Western is generally what you think of when you think of cowboys; English is what people jumping horses do. The most obvious difference is the tack, but there are other differences as well. If she's interested in jumping, I'd say go with an English barn, but otherwise it doesn't really matter. :) It sounds like, for you, the most important thing is going to be the instructor, so I'd make sure that you meet the instructor and see if they're someone your dd will like. I would also want to make sure the horses are treated well (stalls are relatively clean, ideally turnout each day, water buckets are clean and don't smell, horses don't look skinny) and as other people have mentioned, make sure she is responsible for grooming and tacking up her horse. Learning to take care of the horse is an important part of riding.

 

I started as a newbie mom, and honestly, one has to be incredibly lucky to end up in the "right" barn right away. There's just so much information to absorb, so many subtle things to learn. What seemed great 5 years ago seems absolutely horrible now, I can't believe I brought my kid there. Yet, it was perfect then, it really was. (How does a non-horsey mom choose a barn? Well, people were so nice and friendly! lol) She learned so much there, including that she couldn't stay there, at some point. Even what seemed perfect a year ago is not so "perfect" now, as the more you learn, the more you can evaluate what's happening and the more you know, the more the tiny little things become prominent.

 

It truly is a jorney.

This is definitely true. Start with a barn that's right for you, but be ready to move on if it's no longer a good fit. I personally wouldn't change too often, as continuity of instruction is a good thing, but if things really aren't working out, start looking somewhere else.

 

It could be a barn where corrections to horses are never punitive (and yet effective), where horse psychology is taken into account, where horses are kept outside 24/ 7 (imagine that! Don't we want them all "cozy" and oh so clean in their stalls?), where horses are happy and calm and will ground tie for grooming instead of being cross-tied. (And there are barns where cross-tying is never questions, because this is how things are done, period.)

Out of curiosity, why do you not like cross-tying?

 

I wouldn't get too wrapped around the whole NH thing, because that is a hot bed of opinions and arguments - for instance, I know a number of people who regard Clinton Anderson as very controversial (note: I don't have any personal experience with him, so I don't claim to know, - my point is that if you start getting too hung up on methods and trainers and terminology and competing opinions , you can easily get overwhelmed, and that's unnecessary as a beginner). If your daughter goes to a barn for lessons and likes it and is calmed by it, continue with the barn. If not, switch. Keep it simple - your experience (and your daughter's) should be your guide. 

 

Yes, I usually see Parelli and the like used as an excuse to let a horse run all over people. I'm sure it can be done well, but it's not by people in my area. 

[Paula in MS]

 

 

I started as a newbie mom, and honestly, one has to be incredibly lucky to end up in the "right" barn right away. There's just so much information to absorb, so many subtle things to learn. What seemed great 5 years ago seems absolutely horrible now, I can't believe I brought my kid there. Yet, it was perfect then, it really was. (How does a non-horsey mom choose a barn? Well, people were so nice and friendly! lol) She learned so much there, including that she couldn't stay there, at some point. Even what seemed perfect a year ago is not so "perfect" now, as the more you learn, the more you can evaluate what's happening and the more you know, the more the tiny little things become prominent.

 

 

 

I would have to say that you might not be able to find a "perfect" barn at all, especially as you start to specialize.  We live in a very populated area surrounded by rural areas where everyone rides western.  The majority of the very few English barns in the area are hunter barns.  My daughter's love is dressage.  There is only one dressage/eventing barn, so we have to be happy where we are even though it is a fairly long drive (45 minutes).  Sometimes you just have to make it work, as long as it is a safe environment, of course.

[Stratford]

My two older kids have been riding for about 4 1/2 years.  We lucked out on our first try and found an instructor that we love.  We do not own horses and I do not anticipate buying one in the near future.  My oldest is getting to the point where a weekly lesson isn't quite enough, so we added Pony Club, which has been an incredible experience so far.  My younger rider isn't interested in Pony Club yet.  We've been able to ride relatively inexpensively thus far - the only new equipment we have bought are helmets and the occasional pair of boots.  Otherwise, everything has been found secondhand.  Our lessons are reasonable (same price as the OP) and our kids have only ever participated in local schooling shows, nothing expensive.  The benefits have been tremendous and I love the lessons my kids have learned from riding horses.  Totally worth the price.

[shawthorne44]

Also, to get extra Horse Time, you might see if there is a horse rescue near you.   The one near us is always up for someone to come groom and love on the horses.