"Clisby" wrote in message
link.net...


enigma wrote:
Boo (6 in August) wants to start horse riding lessons this summer. so...
what questions do i need to ask the instructor/stable?
i tried to get him into theraputic riding last year, but the wait list
is miles long & starts over every 3 months.
lee

There are people on this newsgroup who know a lot more about horses than I
do, so listen to them first.

My daughter took riding lessons for a couple of years when we lived in
Atlanta. I knew the people who ran the stable and liked the way they
operated, so I didn't look around for other options. However, a few
things I would ask:

- Do they have a fair number of younger students? I know Boo has at least
sensory issues, but really, a lot of 5- and 6-year-old can be a little
unpredictable around horses, from what I've seen. If the instructors are
used to dealing with little kids who are new to horses, that's a big plus,
to me.

- Do they emphasize showing horses (this stable didn't)? Some of the
stables in Atlanta, as best I could tell, emphasize dressage and show
preparation; I wasn't interested in that.

- I'm assuming any reputable stable will require helmets; however, the
stable where my daughter took lessons required helmets any time a child
was doing anything with the horses - not just riding. If a child was
grooming a horse, feeding a horse, walking a horse back to the stall - the
helmet had to be on. Given the horse:child size ratio, I'd want this
rule.

- When my daughter took lessons, the lessons included not just riding, but
care of the horses. I liked that, because I didn't want her to get the
idea a horse is just a big warmblooded motorcycle you hop on and ride, and
then leave. I know there were other stables that did this, so maybe
it's typical to teach horse care along with riding.

So much for ideas from someone relatively ignorant of horses.

Clisby

I think those are all excellent questions to ask...
I'd also ask directly about their horses... Their ages and breeds and
temperaments. Do they have horses that are mature and have been ridden by
younger children or inexperienced riders in general? I, personally, would
not want to put my child on or near a horse that is not used to being around
young children - or even older people who are inexperienced. I would ask
how long they've been running their ranch or stable and do they maybe have
references?
Another thing that's been with my own experience is individual horses... A
horse that you have kind of as your own. One horse you ride and care for.
Not sure if every place does this, but I liked this idea of a person taking
on one horse, rather than jumping around from horse to horse every other
day, especially for someone new to riding. It allows the rider and the
horse to become familiar with one another.
I dunno anything else. No other suggestions first thing in the morning
I'm sure others will have some good advice!