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  #1  
Old April 30th 06, 01:26 PM posted to misc.kids
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Default riding lessons

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
--
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the
guise of
fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison, fourth US president
(1751-1836)
  #2  
Old April 30th 06, 02:05 PM posted to misc.kids
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Default riding lessons



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
  #3  
Old April 30th 06, 04:04 PM posted to misc.kids
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Default riding lessons


"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!


  #4  
Old April 30th 06, 05:13 PM posted to misc.kids
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Default riding lessons

In a newsgroup who readers seem to agree that anything you can do to make
your child safer is worth it, I hesitate to post anything about horses.
Despite helmets, boots, and bomb-proof horses there are safer endeavors...

"enigma" wrote in message
. ..
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.


From this question I'm wondering if you are looking for regular riding
lessons or a special theaputic program? My answers only refers to a regular
program

My daughter has been riding since the summer she turned six. She begged and
begged to ride, which I thought was odd since she was afraid of dogs, but
okay. I found that most barns have minimum age limits, and for most barns
in my area, that age limit was 8 years old. So when I found one that would
accept a 5 year old I knew at least they must have experience with little
kids, and they did. So, look for barns that have toddler, pre-schooler get
to know riding lessons. They have the bomb-proof horses and the patient
teachers that understand both the horses and the extreme beginner child.
Then go to the barn and watch. If you don't feel comfortable at the barn,
look for another barn. You are going to be spending lots of time here, with
beautiful animals that on their best days can be still be spooked by
something weird and uncharacteristically act up. Make sure you trust the
safety precautions the barn has in place. Take this time to talk to the
parents hanging around, and watch the instructors. Here you can get some
idea of what instructors might be good for your child. Some kids respond
better to being pushed. Some respond better to teacher that let them go at
their own pace. Some respond better to teachers who coddle, at least at the
beginning. Find the teacher that works best for Boo. Then book a lesson
with that instructor, and let the instructor pick the proper horse. At this
age it is by far best to have private lessons, where the instructor is fully
focused on your child. Note that some barns that do not advertise
theraputic riding may have instructors that have experience in theraputic
riding. When you find a barn you like you can ask if they have someone
experience in this.

You can book lessons that teach horse care, or riding only lessons. I'm not
sure where Boo's interest lie, but you can go either way. I found camps,
with daily lessons and one assigned horse that gets used to the little ones
is the best place to learn horse care. Learning it once a week doesn't hold
their interest as well, and horses seem to remember little ones they saw
yesterday, but maybe not last week. Some camps include group horse care,
but private lessons for beginner (1 instructor per horse). These type of
day camps might work for your son. At this point my daughter is a junior
counselor at these types of camps. They last half a day and include riding
(she does not teach riding...they need more experience) horse facts, horse
handling and care, and do horse art.






  #5  
Old April 30th 06, 05:31 PM posted to misc.kids
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Posts: n/a
Default riding lessons


"Cathy Kearns" wrote in message
. com...
In a newsgroup who readers seem to agree that anything you can do to make
your child safer is worth it, I hesitate to post anything about horses.
Despite helmets, boots, and bomb-proof horses there are safer endeavors...


Haha I think I do see your point, but that above reminded me of Finding Nemo
when the dad tells nemo to go play on the sponges

"enigma" wrote in message
. ..
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.


From this question I'm wondering if you are looking for regular riding
lessons or a special theaputic program? My answers only refers to a
regular
program

My daughter has been riding since the summer she turned six. She begged
and
begged to ride, which I thought was odd since she was afraid of dogs, but
okay. I found that most barns have minimum age limits, and for most barns
in my area, that age limit was 8 years old. So when I found one that
would
accept a 5 year old I knew at least they must have experience with little
kids, and they did. So, look for barns that have toddler, pre-schooler
get
to know riding lessons. They have the bomb-proof horses and the patient
teachers that understand both the horses and the extreme beginner child.
Then go to the barn and watch. If you don't feel comfortable at the barn,
look for another barn. You are going to be spending lots of time here,
with
beautiful animals that on their best days can be still be spooked by
something weird and uncharacteristically act up. Make sure you trust the
safety precautions the barn has in place. Take this time to talk to the
parents hanging around, and watch the instructors. Here you can get some
idea of what instructors might be good for your child. Some kids respond
better to being pushed. Some respond better to teacher that let them go
at
their own pace. Some respond better to teachers who coddle, at least at
the
beginning. Find the teacher that works best for Boo. Then book a lesson
with that instructor, and let the instructor pick the proper horse. At
this
age it is by far best to have private lessons, where the instructor is
fully
focused on your child. Note that some barns that do not advertise
theraputic riding may have instructors that have experience in theraputic
riding. When you find a barn you like you can ask if they have someone
experience in this.

You can book lessons that teach horse care, or riding only lessons. I'm
not
sure where Boo's interest lie, but you can go either way. I found camps,
with daily lessons and one assigned horse that gets used to the little
ones
is the best place to learn horse care. Learning it once a week doesn't
hold
their interest as well, and horses seem to remember little ones they saw
yesterday, but maybe not last week. Some camps include group horse care,
but private lessons for beginner (1 instructor per horse). These type of
day camps might work for your son. At this point my daughter is a junior
counselor at these types of camps. They last half a day and include
riding
(she does not teach riding...they need more experience) horse facts, horse
handling and care, and do horse art.








  #6  
Old April 30th 06, 08:01 PM posted to misc.kids
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default riding lessons


"enigma" wrote in message
. ..
Boo (6 in August) wants to start horse riding lessons this
summer. so... what questions do i need to ask the
instructor/stable?


Ask if they have insurance? I dunno.

Go watch a few lessons if you can. Some only offer group lessons for younger
riders, individual lessons for older riders who seem really serious about
it. I think my parents just took me to the stable that was closest - they
had a summer pony camp program.

I took riding lessons from age 7 and as a teenager I later gave lessons on
my outgrown pony. I had four students. It was great. I begean teaching my
son and two nieces to ride last year but we had to stop for several
reasons - I hope to start them again soon.







  #7  
Old May 1st 06, 01:41 AM posted to misc.kids
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Posts: n/a
Default riding lessons

"Cathy Kearns" wrote in
. com:

In a newsgroup who readers seem to agree that anything you
can do to make your child safer is worth it, I hesitate to
post anything about horses. Despite helmets, boots, and
bomb-proof horses there are safer endeavors...


well, yeah, but at least he's not asking for an ATV
actually, we're planning on getting a team of draft horses in
the next year (there go my hay bills!), so i want him to have
some experience around horses first.
thanks for the tips. i have found a local place that runs a
week long Pony Day Camp (8am-4pm) that includes horse care,
tacking up, grooming & riding. one could sign up for multiple
weeks as it runs from mid-June to the end of August. they also
do private lessons. i'll have to take him along when i check
it out though. since he does have sensory issues, i need to
see how the instructors deal with things like that.
lee
--
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the
guise of
fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison, fourth US president
(1751-1836)
  #8  
Old May 1st 06, 01:45 AM posted to misc.kids
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default riding lessons

"dejablues" wrote in
news:zQ75g.7901$t_2.176@trnddc07:


"enigma" wrote in message
. ..
Boo (6 in August) wants to start horse riding lessons this
summer. so... what questions do i need to ask the
instructor/stable?


Ask if they have insurance? I dunno.


NH has a stable indemnity law. you ride at your own risk.

Go watch a few lessons if you can. Some only offer group
lessons for younger riders, individual lessons for older
riders who seem really serious about it. I think my parents
just took me to the stable that was closest - they had a
summer pony camp program.


i found one of those (pony camp). i think he'd do better with
private instruction though. he doesn't deal well with large
groups.

I took riding lessons from age 7 and as a teenager I later
gave lessons on my outgrown pony. I had four students. It
was great. I begean teaching my son and two nieces to ride
last year but we had to stop for several reasons - I hope
to start them again soon.


he's wanted a horse since he was 2. he's managed to pick the
Kentucky Derby winner for the past 3 years, too...
lee
--
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the
guise of
fighting a foreign enemy. -James Madison, fourth US president
(1751-1836)
  #9  
Old May 1st 06, 02:05 AM posted to misc.kids
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default riding lessons


Check to see what they require in terms of helmets. They should not
let the kids on the horses without one. Buy him one so he has his
own. If by chance he does have a fall, you need to get another one.

Ideally he should wear boots to ride - ankle type boots are OK and are
more suitable for children anyway. They should have a heel and hard
soles. No trainers/sneakers.

I don't remember exactly what problems Boo has - if any - and I can't
remember where you live (sorry) but I myself would look for an
instructor affiliated with Pony Club. Actually I'd want him to join
PC and get instruction through them.

White Mountain Region PONY CLUB

DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS (like a troop leader)

ASHUELOT RIVER PONY CLUB

DC Linda Kinson
765 Roxbury Rd
Keene, NH 03431
603-352-7064


FROG ROCK PONY CLUB

DC Elizabeth Aksten
41 Thornton Rd
New Boston, NH 03070
603-487-5009


JT DC Helyn Rae
301 North Stark Highway
Weare NH 03263
603-529-0387


GILMANTON PONY CLUB
GPC Webpage

Teach to Teach:
Jennie D3
Siobhan D3
Stephanie D2
Allison D3 (unmounted)

DC Karen Smith
17 Ingalls Road
Pittsfield NH 03263
603-435-8139


MEADOWBROOK
Teach to Teach:
Hope D3

DC Wendy Creager
55 Upper Forest St
Brattleboro, VT
802-257-2412


MONADNOCK PONY CLUB
Teach to Teach:
Megan D-3
Whitney D-3

DC Kathy Blaudschun
86 Old Stoddard Rd
Nelson, NH
603-847-9082


JT DC Winston (Bud) French
102 Center Pond Road
Nelson, NH 03457
Home 603-847-3276
Cell 603-547-5934

MT KEARSARGE PONY CLUB
Teach to Teach:
Kimber D-3
Abby D3

DC Cathy Aranosian
5 Poverty Plains Road
Warner, NH 03278
603-456-2392


JT DC
Tim Grass
180 Old County Road
Deering, NH 03244
(603) 464-2774


MT WASHINGTON PONY CLUB

DC Holly Cook
327 Dale Rd
Ctr. Sandwich, NH 03227
603-284-6981


JT DC Leslie Bensinger
51 Baxter Road
Hollis NH 03049-5943
603-465-6227


NORTH COUNTRY PONY CLUB
www.northcountry.ponyclub.org
Teach to Teach:
Anna C-1
Rachel D-3
Gillian C-1

Horsemasters Club!
http://nchorsemasters.ponyclub.org

DC Melanie Loschiavo
191 Chase Hollow Rd.
Bradford, VT 05033
802-439-5120


JT DC's
Jane Jackson
442 Chamberlin Rd
E Ryegate, VT 05042
802-633-4055


Ann Claflin
RR1 Box 440
Bradford, VT 05033
802-222-4512


ON THE BIT PONY CLUB

OTBPC WEBSITE
Teach to Teach:
Ashley C-2
Elizabeth C-2
Mariah C-1
Mackenzie D3

DC Catherine Anderson
128 May Street
Canaan, NH 03741
603-632-7329


JT DC Stacey Gallien
PO Box 722
Grantham, NH 03753
603-863-9805


PASSACONAWAY PONY CLUB
Passaconaway Webpage
Teach to Teach:
Korie C-2
Abby C-1
Leah D-2
Ila C-1

DC Brenda Selinga
236 Coleman Rd
Auburn, NH 03032
603-483-2863
Fax 603-537-1037


JT DC Elena Boissoneau
(603) 487-3282

PEMI VALLEY PONY CLUB
Teach to Teach:
Tatyana D3

DC Tish Hoyt
PO Box 908
Campton, NH 03223
(603) 726-4698

JT DC Edna Miller
37 Binks Hill Road
Plymouth NH 03264
603-536-5122


SHAKER VALLEY PONY CLUB
Teach to Teach:
Phoebe D-3
Mary Adelaide C1

DC Sarah (Sally) Herbert
203 Dogford Rd
Etna, NH 03750
603-643-9303
JT DC
Tim Herbert
203 Dogford Rd
Etna, NH 03750
603-643-9303


SOUHEGAN PONY CLUB
Teach to Teach:
Ashley C-3
Britta C-2
(unmounted only)

DC
Jessica Adcock
407 Old Ashby Road
Mason, NH 03048
603-878-1661



grandma Rosalie
  #10  
Old May 1st 06, 05:36 AM posted to misc.kids
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Default riding lessons

enigma wrote:
Rosalie B. wrote in
:

Check to see what they require in terms of helmets. They
should not let the kids on the horses without one. Buy him
one so he has his own. If by chance he does have a fall,
you need to get another one.


oh, i know! i hope he's not as hard to fit as i am. i need a
weird size long oval helmet

Ideally he should wear boots to ride - ankle type boots are
OK and are more suitable for children anyway. They should
have a heel and hard soles. No trainers/sneakers.


yup, so they don't slip through the stirrup. he has cowboy
boots.

I had a kid in my 6th grade homeroom (when I was a teacher) whose
mother said that they tied her son's feet to the stirrups and that the
saddle slipped and he was dragged. I was horrified.

I don't remember exactly what problems Boo has - if any -
and I can't remember where you live (sorry) but I myself
would look for an instructor affiliated with Pony Club.
Actually I'd want him to join PC and get instruction
through them.


sensory integration disorder, both sensory seeking and
sensory avoiding. high functioning autism. some dyspraxia.


I'm not sure exactly what all those things are, except it looks like
he's sensitive to stuff that other people might not mind (?). I'd
want to have private lessons then maybe?? And if it was possible, I'd
want grooming and catching the horse etc included if possible - not
just have the pony presented, hop on and ride.

does Pony Club take almost 6 year olds? the stable i saw in
Candia (not on your list) says they have Pony Club for ages 7+


I don't know that PC itself has any rules about age. When my kids
started, the oldest one was about 15 - we didn't have a local club and
then two of them were started at the same time. So my youngest was
about 5 then. 4H had minimum ages, but I didn't think PC did.

From the national website

Club Membership
It is the policy of USPC to admit as local club
members all interested young persons who comply
with the requirements for membership regardless of
race, color, gender, religion, or national origin. In
order to become a member of a club or to maintain
membership status, each individual must pay
annual club, regional and national dues, as well as
the annual insurance premium. Each club may set a
minimum age for joining if it so desires, but no
person may remain a member of a club after
December 31 of the year of his or her 21st birthday.
Dues and fees are non-refundable.


In any case, what I was recommending was that you take lessons from
someone who was a Pony Club person - perhaps an older B or HA rated
teen, or someone who was a PC instructor. And you might also check
into Therapeutic Riding.

We got our first pony when my oldest was 14, and dd#3 leased a cart
pony. She was 7 then, and she got her own pony when she was 9. DS
wasn't as interested, and he also leased ponies - I know he was in
leadline when he was 4. The only problem for us was the younger ones
couldn't catch and tack up their ponies by themselves because they
were too little to be able to put the saddle up on the pony's back.
But since the oldest was old enough, the older ones helped the younger
ones. When DS was taking one of the early D ratings, they asked him
what the saddle flap was called, and he said it was a "blouse". (He
remembered it was some article of girl's clothing - he just had the
wrong one[the correct answer was 'skirt']).

from the list, Pittsfield & Auburn are relatively close, so
i'll give them a call. thanks!
lee


grandma Rosalie
 




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