FAQ – My child learns to ride

Woman giving riding lessons to a girl on a horse

1. Does my child have to do vaulting before learning to ride?

Vaulting is a separate discipline in equestrian sport and is not a basic requirement for learning to ride, even though many active riders have actually found their way to equestrian sport through vaulting.

In many riding schools, children can take part in vaulting lessons from a very young age, whereas riding lessons are usually only offered from a slightly older age. It is therefore a popular option if the child seeks contact with horses at a very early age.

In addition to exercising the body and building up muscles, which are later relevant for a balanced seat in the saddle, the child also learns to keep their balance on the horse and gets used to the rhythmic movements on the horse’s back. The gymnastic exercises, including jumping off the horse, can also be advantageous in the saddle, e.g. in a fall situation, as the rider automatically rolls correctly and safely on the ground thanks to the practised movements.

2. Does my child need its own grooming box?

As a rule, every riding school horse already has its own grooming kit. This is necessary for hygienic reasons to prevent the transmission of diseases and the spread of pests. Of course, there is nothing wrong with your child bringing their own grooming kit for their favourite horse, especially as it is difficult for very small children’s hands to hold and use a large body brush safely. However, always make sure that the grooming kit you bring along is actually only used on one horse.

3. When does my child need a riding whip?

A riding whip is an aid that serves as a supplement to your own weight, leg and rein aids. In addition, it is still a great motor challenge for the child to hold the reins and whip in their hands at the same time without the rein aids becoming unsteady and the child inadvertently passing on impulses to the horse with the whip. Only when the child is confident with the aids can the purchase of a whip be considered. To begin with, it is advisable to use a shorter and harder whip to prevent uncontrolled vibrations and impulses.

4. My child has fallen off a horse. What should I do?

It is one of the horror scenarios for many parents with children on horseback – falling off a horse. The best way to prevent serious injuries is to pay meticulous attention to wearing safety-relevant riding equipment and to learn how to handle the horse correctly. If it does happen, it is important to keep a cool head. As riding lessons usually take place in an indoor or fenced-in outdoor arena with soft ground, your child will ideally have landed softly. If your child is conscious immediately after the fall, this is a good sign. Then check whether there are any obvious injuries such as wounds or abrasions. If your child can stand up and move all limbs without restriction, they have probably escaped with only a scare.

Nevertheless, you should consult a doctor, especially if the child complains of pain of any kind, has visual disturbances, nausea, vomiting, extreme drowsiness or changes in behaviour within 48 hours. Observe your child more closely than usual after the fall and, if in doubt, go to the doctor more often than not.

In any case, you should replace your child’s riding hat after a fall from a horse. This can be covered with small hairline cracks after a fall, which could significantly reduce the protective function in the next fall.

5. My child is afraid to get back on the horse after a fall. How should I react?

If you also rode as a child, you may remember the odd fall in riding lessons. The riding instructors of the old school were not very empathetic and immediately encouraged children to get back on the horse as long as there were no serious injuries.

Although it helps many children to regain confidence by getting back on straight after a fall, it can be rather frightening for some children and requires a little more preparation and sensitivity before they dare to get back in the saddle.

Empathise with your child’s fears and allow them to process the experience. It may help your child to be put back on the lunge rein to gain confidence. The riding instructor may also be able to assign your child a different horse with which they can gain positive experiences again. If nothing works from the saddle at first, groundwork or simply walking the horse in-hand, for example, can provide more security and a stronger bond with the horse as a partner.

6. I myself am afraid of horses, how can I get involved in my child’s hobby?

While children tend to go through life without fear, parents see potential dangers for their child in every situation. Equestrian sports are also a red flag for many parents due to the risk of accidents. Instead of transferring your fears onto your child, you should encourage them to pursue their hobby, as riding and handling horses have many positive aspects that can be extremely beneficial for your child’s development. Instead, you should take your worries as an opportunity to work on yourself: horse-handling courses are ideal for parents who have no previous experience with horses and teaches the most important basics of handling them. This automatically reduces fears and is perhaps the first step towards making riding a family hobby.

7. How old should my child be for sharing a pony?

Most horse-loving children want nothing more than to own their own pony. If, for various reasons, buying a pony of their own is out of the question for their parents, horse-sharing is a great alternative that keeps both the costs and the responsibility for the animal within manageable limits.

In order for the horse owner to be able to rely on your child, your child should be aware of the enormous responsibility and already have in-depth knowledge of handling horses. As many owners see horse-sharing as a way of taking some of the pressure off and having a day off from the yard, they need to be able to rely on the horse being brought in from the field, exercised either ridden or in-hand, and provided with feed, for example. This is why horse-sharing is usually something for responsible teenagers.

In any case, there should be clear communication between the owner and the sharer and ideally a contract should be drawn up setting out the agreements and obligations. Additionally, you should make sure that all important insurances are in place.

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