Question from Jennifer
Posted: Monday, February 01, 2010
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
Jennifer asks: I grew up on a farm in Kansas and I really want my children to have the same love of horses that I grew up with. I now live in the suburbs of Dallas and I wondered if you could offer some advice or suggestions on how to start introducing small children to the world of horses! I have been out of the "farm scene" for so long I do not even know what programs or resources are out there now. Maybe you could recommend some things for adults to get back into the saddle after many years! Thanks.
Since you will want to encourage safe experience from the very beginning of a horse/child relationship, you will need to teach approaching a horse in a manner where the horse can visually see you and the child from the front or the horse's left side. Speak to the horse, touch his neck in firm petting strokes, avoid getting the child's feet too close to the horse's front feet. You can bring a treat for the horse but supervise giving the treat very carefully since you don't want an inadvertent nibble to get a finger or two. Again, approach the horse from the front, place a carrot piece on the child's hand, and extend the treat to the horse's muzzle on a completely flat hand, turned just slightly down, until the horse takes it. Pat the horse. (I don't encourage giving horses treats; I prefer to drop treats directly into the feedbox - this is to discourage teaching the horse to nip.)
Watch your child carefully for reactions such as joy, fear, excitement, adoration. If the child is timid or even afraid, I would not force the issue. He or she might want to learn to ride, but is still somewhat awed by the horse's size. I encourage this very rudimentary approach to monitor the child's reaction.
Lets assume your child is crazy about horses, has an intense desire for horses. You might then consider taking lessons. There are several lesson types available in nearly all areas - you can take private lessons, group lessons; you can choose English Hunt or Saddleseat, or Western. I would strongly encourage lessons from the very beginning. Avoid purchasing/leasing a horse specifically for the child unless you are willing to be involved in the chores - I often think this is the first step to overwhelming everyone and eventually losing interest - it's hard to take care of a horse unless you know what you are doing and it's expensive. I believe the best way to interest the child at first is to build excitement, learn safe riding and how to handle and care for a horse, gage the child's long-term interest and his or her willingness to feed, groom, clean and do it twice or three times a day, indefinitely. Instead of buying a horse, perhaps the riding stable will permit interacting with the horse, and other associated tasks. Then when the child is ready and interested, perhaps you can lease a horse. I would suggest a boarding arrangement at first.
Another hint (and my experience & opinion) is to start the child with a small horse or horse breed. My experience has been that horses are infinitely better animals for a young child than a pony. This is because many ponies are cunning and smart and often stubborn - a child can accomplish more with a tractable, kind natured horse than a spoiled, clever smartypants pony. Don't get me wrong - there are fabulous ponies such as Connemaras, section B Welsh, etc. These are generally around 14 hands and over.
It just occurred to me, after writing about horses versus ponies above, that you could also start with the small miniature horse. Yes, they are small, very intelligent and quick like ponies but, again in my opinion, they are not quite as stubborn and not as impish. They learn quickly and your child will not feel threatened. I mention the miniature because they are inexpensive keepers, can be housed easily and, can be kept as a companion animal when your child progresses to a full-sized horse. These little guys can be shown in hand, jumped on a leadline, or driven to a cart.
There are many organizations to look into that are scattered around in all states. Three terrific child-focused organizations are the 4-H, Pony Clubs, and riding clubs. There are also horse breed clubs, local horse clubs or several people in your own neighborhood that get together. Individual farms may have an owners club or kids' group. For a pony club, you generally need your own horse or perhaps a shared horse. 4-H clubs can be joined even if the child does not have his or her own horse as long as there is horse interest and access to a horse. You can become a 4-H leader and form a small Clover (for the younger kids) Club or become a co-leader.
To find associations or clubs in your area, start by calling your agricultural center or the Department of Agriculture. You can check with tack stores and feed stores. Perhaps you have pleasure horse clubs nearby. You can contact the Future Farmers of America as well.
I completed a quick search on the Internet and came up with many hits - for riding clubs, for 4H clubs, for other horse information specific to "Dallas, Texas." Once you decide where your interests and those of the youngsters lead you, I'm quite certain you'll come up with some wonderful resources.
My answer is very basic and general as regards involvement with the live animal. You can also foster much interest in your child, leading to intense interest, by viewing horse movies and reading horse stories. For the very small child, start with horse coloring books and articles of clothing that feature horse images. Help your child draw horses. Visit horse farms or boarding stables.
Good luck and have much fun. I am a firm believer that a family that nourishes love of animals and especially horses will raise children that love animals. Better yet, it is entirely possible that one or all of the children will become so interested in horses that a life's passion is kindled - kids involved deeply in their horse enthusiasm don't have time to hang out on street corners or worse.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Good instructive advice - especially likes the part about nipping and how to prevent that. Those are awfully BIG teeth!Thanks Marijo. You bet they have biGG teeth. We had one stallion that was a habitual biter as some are. It took a while to cure him - perhaps a column's worth. You are the greatest. Thanks mucho!
I don't know anything about horses but it does sound like some good constructive advice.It's been a while since I've caught up on Warp but I'm trying - Thanks so much for reading and your nice comment.
Hi Heidi.I'm catching up on reading your wisdom about horses. I love it all!Not only are their teeth big (got a bad accidental bite on the back of my left arm a couple months ago that still has sore spots), but one of my friend's horses is a Percheron and he has the biggest mouth to go with the teeth. If you give him a treat by hand, you'd better pay attention and be prepared to be slimed. He opens those big sloppy lips really wide and tries to take your whole hand with his lips along with his treat. His owner has taught him, though, to keep his teeth together while taking treats. That was a really good idea.Personally, I can't imagine having to work at interesting a child in horses. But if one had to work at it, they'd do well to follow all your advice.Excellent article.Hugs,DianneThanks so much Dianne!I learned long ago not to get my hands, arms etc in the way of those teeth. I can't imagine a Percheron giving me a little arm nibble. Ouch! It is hard to imagine interesting a child in horses. Little girls simply adore them. It's what happens when they get older. The "real horse bug" is there to stay and survives throughout the years. In my case, it was like a disease that is part of me. No one in the family caught the bug like me or my 2 dearest lifelong friends. With me it is generally about passion - there is no mediocre for me. It's hot or it's cold - I'm in it or I'm not. And that's how it is with me and horses.Thanks much, Heidi
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