DD is BEGGING for riding lessons.

She has been on a few pony rides at the fair, but never on a REAL live big horse.

Is she too young? She's 5 and VERY small.

All I can think of is Bonnie Blue from Gone With The Wind.

My 6 year old takes lessons. 1 hour at $25.00. The first thing they teach is safety. This took weeks. She was only allowed to ride with a trainer holding the horse. I think she is very safe at this point. She is not allowed to gallop yet. She has been doing this for about 8 months. I have to say she loves it and it gives her bragging rights because it is not a very popular thing to do and little girls love horses.

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cmemaloy@yahoo.com


I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

Life! is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.

Two of my kids took riding lessons for a few months. The cost was $30 for 30 minutes, but she usually gave them 45 minutes. Since I had two taking lessons, she gave me a discount of $25 for each child, which was $50 a week, and $200 a month! Can get a little expensive, but the kids loved it so much.

They learned the proper way to saddle a horse, even though someone was there to help. Also, they got the opportunity to brush the horse before each ride.

Carrie, your fee of $25 for one hour sounds like a pretty good deal.

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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it!

I have 3 kids doing it plus she is friend so I guess that might be why it is such a good deal.

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cmemaloy@yahoo.com


I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.

Life! is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.

As a little girl one of my greatest joys was my riding lessons! In addition to learning how to ride, children learn responsibility and respect and love for animals. Do some research and find a reputable, safety-conscious stable and Enjoy!! You may want to start lessons yourself when you see how much fun the kids have!!!

As a horse owner (2 clydesdales) one it totally bomb proof everyone rides her (helmets are a must), the other shys and spooks at real things (birds coming out of a bush) wind, and things I don't see. She has thrown me twice and my husband once. These beautifull creaters are just my favorite large animal. I call them my pasture pets.

My advise look for a place that has a bomb proof horse, and horses do act differently with children, and always remind your daughter that if a horse isn't behaving or she is struggling turn the horse. Our trainer gave me that advise and I use it when I think my horses is acting spooky.

Enjoy that your daughter wants to learn to ride and loves animals. I agree $25.00 is a good price, and I would always observe your daughter during the lesson.

My daughter goes every other week for one hour ($50). She loves it and would go everyday if she could. She has to groom the horse first, saddle up and with the intructor practice new techniques. This has given her such self confidence it unbelievable!! We had her go to Winter camp during Christmas break for 5 hours each day for 3 days and learned about safety and different horses. You need a shoe with a heal and a helmet. I have her boots in a bag and make her change her shoes before she gets in the car with the dirt and other stuff!!

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Carolyn
At the Jersey Shore

What's the old saying " There is nothing better for the inside of a person than the outside of a horse", I am pretty sure that is it, I have 5 of my own and wouldn't have it any other way. I don't think the age of 5 is to young to start lessons. It will help teach your daughter trust, respect, self confidence among other things and she will have a blast. Like other posters have said just find yourself a reputable person. At your daughters age she will probably be given lessons on a pony not some "big" horse. Feed her fantasy and have fun!!