I've actually used your insights to help me work with some rescue horses at our stable. Thanks 5*

What a great article. Thank you. There is so little written to help non-horse parents understand the importance of a safe introduction to the wonderful world of horses and ponies. I have just published a book called Horseonship which is about the emotional value of riding for children. It covers the core values that children and teenagers can get from positive interaction with horses. This book can be purchased through various tack shops or from www.buybooksontheweb or www.amazon.com More details are on my web site www.janearmour.com

Hello LaurieBee81! We should be friends!!!

I make sure I'm wearing a helmet when I ride so if I fall off it'll protect my head.Also I try to be careful.

I really like the tubing suggestion for measuring. It never hurts to measure the actual bits you're considering as well. Having worked in a saddle shop, I know that a bits actual measurement doesn't always correspond to its label. The same measurement can vary across brands just like a "size 6" in a dress at one store might be different than a "size 6" in another store. Thanks again for the helpful article

I like this article. It is simple with the basics that any one person observing horses (or other species) can identify your descriptions. Why not graduate this into a series? Reading body language is for the most part a lost art these days. I hope to see more.

As an instructor, I agree--for the most part--with everything thusly stated. However, also as an instructor, I've gotta give my two cents: It is the instructor's sole responsibility to decide at which point in the rider's development it is appropriate to place the rider in a group situation--no matter the age. You must remember, as said in Step 2, that in a group, the instructor must divide his or her attention (hopefully equally) among his/her students. The individual students must be at a point in their development as independent riders to be able to manage themselves (meaning their horses) for several minutes at a time (without assistance) and be able to concentrate on points the instructor has given them to work on. Too many free-willed horses matched with too few skilled riders in one area can become a very dangerous situation very quickly.

Thanks for the article.

Children riding horses can be scarry for both the horse and the child. With your step by step you have all your bases well covered.

I loved your warnings but this sounds like a wonderful way for a child to be into something and take their friends along for the ride. Sometimes things are easier to learn when we are allowed to have others around us.