All You Need to Know About Horse Riding For Kids

All You Need to Know About Horse Riding For Kids

Horse riding is a hobby that remains popular all over the world. In fact, some of the best horse riders gained most of their experience riding as a kids.

For many children, the thought of owning a horse or taking riding lessons is a dream come true. As they grow in confidence, they’ll soon discover the special connection between themselves and the horse.

Encouraging your child to start a hobby such as horse riding can benefit your child in many ways. Learning a new skill can instill so many wonderful qualities in your child, preparing them for the future and getting them off the couch!

If horse riding in Florida is something you’re considering for your child, you must get clued up on everything there is to know, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the process. In this blog, we’ll explain all there is to know about horse riding for kids.

Things to consider before your child starts horse riding

Children can change their minds very quickly, one minute they love something the next, it’s old news. Before you commit to horse riding for kids, you need to make sure that your child truly understands everything that goes along with riding and the time they will need to spend doing it. If they’re more interested in the idea of having a horse rather than looking after it, think things through carefully before you invest your time and money.

Take a look at our recent blog post for more information about purchasing your first horse.

Is horse riding for children safe?

Like all types of sports, horse riding does come with a degree of risk – animals can be naturally unpredictable. However, safety will always be a big part of learning to ride and a qualified instructor will never intentionally put your child in a dangerous situation. Ensuring that your child is wearing the correct safety gear is one important way of keeping them safe. It’s also about learning how to care for the horse and creating that special bond.

What can they expect from the first lesson?

Riding a horse for the first time can be daunting for adults let alone children. Notwithstanding however, the first lesson is the beginning of an amazing horse riding journey. Do your research to find a good instructor who will put your child at ease and make their experience the best it can be.

The first few lessons are about getting to know the horse and learning the basics. The instructor will teach your child how to hold the reins and position themselves properly, how to direct the horse and how to move at a slow pace or gentle trot. It’s normal for your child to need a good few lessons before they settle into horse riding. The instructor will assess their level of skill and confidence and work from there.

What can my child learn from horse riding?

Allowing your child to start horse riding in Florida will help them to learn a whole range of

skills. Physically, mentally and socially, horse riding is a great all-round sport that teaches children important qualities that they can use in other aspects of life.

• Responsibility – as mentioned, horse riding isn’t just about learning how to show jump, in fact, horse riding can be a lot of hard work. As soon as children start lessons, they’ll also need to muck out the stable and groom the horse. Children will learn how to be responsible and how to make good decisions.
• Confidence – learning to great can be a great confidence booster for children. Riding an animal that’s much bigger than you will highlight their ability to learn and this is very rewarding. Confidence is a trait that will encourage your child to try their best and have a positive mindset.
• Healthy competition – although horse riding can be done for leisure, once your child develops their horse riding skills, they can also start entering competitions. Healthy competition teaches perseverance, respect and hard work.

BarnHop: Supporting horse riding in Florida

Here at BarnHop, we’re passionate about horse riding in Florida and across the US. Our experienced team are on hand to support your horse’s needs. Whether you’re looking for a property for your horse or your child’s, contact us today for more information.