Horse riding for children: riding lessons and riding accessories

When can children learn to ride?

• Children can usually learn to ride from the age of four. During the lessons, the youngest ones can try out equestrian sports with a pony.
• Your child can only begin to ride a horse independently at the age of around nine to ten.
• Some horse stables also offer special “pony taster courses” for three-year-olds. In the course, the little ones learn how to groom and saddle a horse properly.

What do children learn while riding?

In the riding lessons, the little participants learn everything from scratch, because before children can ride, they also have to learn everything about preparation such as cleaning the stable, caring for the horse, and saddling and bridling it. But the little riders are also taught the correct posture, the different gaits and the most important commands.

How much does riding lessons cost?

A riding lesson usually costs between 12 and 20 euros. But the price can also be significantly higher. In many riding clubs it is also compulsory to become a member. Usually you pay a lower monthly price for the riding lessons. But you have to pay an annual membership fee. Whether repairing the fences or weeding: As a member of the association, you often commit yourself to further work assignments.

How long are the riding lessons?

Course units take place once or twice a week. The children then ride for about 30 to 60 minutes.

Where can children learn to ride?

Certainly there is also one or the other riding stable in your area. Perhaps the children of Freuden also like horseback riding and someone can therefore give you a recommendation. Some riding stables also have their own website. There you can quickly and easily get an overview of the farm, the offers and prices. If not, then simply ask in a stable of your choice whether you and your offspring can watch a lesson.

What equipment do children need for riding?

• Riding Cap: It should not be missing under any circumstances. It is not advisable to use used riding caps! It is quite possible that the shell was damaged unnoticed in a fall and does not offer optimal protection in another accident.
• Breeches: Children definitely need long trousers for riding to avoid chafing from the saddle. Special breeches are therefore ideal because they are both tight-fitting and elastic and are equipped with non-slip knee patches, among other things. The knee patch offers a particularly good grip on the saddle.
• Riding boots: There is one basic rule for riding – children need sturdy shoes. Sandals are therefore an absolute taboo! Riding boots offer a special hold in the stirrup. Alternatively, so-called “short chaps” can also be used. These are elastic bootlegs made of leather or imitation leather that are closed with a zipper on the lower leg.
• Riding gloves: If the horse pulls on the rope or reins, for example, riding gloves protect the hands from the typical chafing points, among other things. The “normal” gloves are often too thick, pinch when riding or are slippery.
• Riding crop: There are very different versions of crops. In principle, however, they must be adapted to the child for everyday use. Too long rods are too unwieldy when changing sides, too short ones cannot drive effectively. Crops should be slightly elastic and not too rigid.

What skills does riding promote in children?

• Health: Riding prevents postural damage, strengthens your child’s back muscles and causes a healthy pelvic erection.
• Motor Skills: Hand-eye coordination is promoted while riding and balance is improved.
• Cognitive skills: By interacting with the horse, your offspring learns more about themselves, their bodies and their abilities.
• Social skills: When dealing with the horses, your offspring gains important experience in their communication, learns to build trust and to take care of another living being. The positive experiences strengthen his self-esteem and self-confidence.

Riding for children as therapy

Horses are also used for children with mental and physical problems such as autism, behavioral problems or motor impairments. Therapeutic horseback riding for children is not about learning to ride, but about healing and promoting mental, social and physical development. Horses are sensitive to moods and voices, which the child needs to influence. The little ones learn how a creature reacts to their behavior. This is an important point for the socialization of children.