Improvement comes from hard work and outside pressure, but those two things could also be what drives your child away from riding if they're not mindfully implemented. Just as we do with our horses, a parent or trainer must know when to push and when to pull back to keep the child from resenting riding-or even abandoning it altogether.
In my experience working with young riders, I've learned how to "read the room," so to speak. I work to understand the child's level of maturity, what's going on at school and at home, and what they truly want out of riding, paired with their age. Then I can start to identify when to push them and when to cut some slack.
Age and Maturity
I have a 4-year-old girl riding in my barn right now. I only allow her to come for 30-minute lessons, once a week. The brevity of the lesson allows me to keep her attention, and the weekly lessons mean she looks forward to it and craves more every time she comes to the barn.
Denne historien er fra Bonus Issue 2023-utgaven av Horse and Rider.
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Denne historien er fra Bonus Issue 2023-utgaven av Horse and Rider.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Horse
LIFE TAKES US DOWN different paths, but I seem to be on just one, which is with the horse.
Decoding the Diseases Examined by AQHA's Six-Panel Test
The six-panel test is a diagnostic tool used to assess the genetic predispositions of horses. It's meant to discover if a horse has or is a carrier for certain hereditary diseases and traits.
Love is Good
All horses are assured a hopeful, compassionate plan of care at This Old Horse, a program that helps not only horses but people, too.
HORSE PACKING 101
Take your trail riding to the next level with nature-filled adventures in the back or front country.
NEW HORSE; NEW PROBLEMS
Anew horse can bring excitement and energy to the barn, and even reinvigorate your passion. However, there are also a myriad of new problems that can come with a new horse, so learn how to introduce him properly to avoid these common issues.
First-Timer Tips
Heading to a young rider's first event with their horse can be intimidating. Use these myths and truths to make it smoother sailing for yourself and your young rider.
Re-Rescued: Aslan's Story
One special gelding learns about three different types of love during his rescue journey.
The Country's Hottest Horse Motels
Take your next trail-riding adventure to the next level by staying at one of these six horse motels across the United States.
Outbreak! What We've Learned
Learn how disease outbreaks in recent years have changed the horse industry, and why it's so important to play your part when it comes to disease prevention efforts.
TRAINING THE SENSITIVE HORSE
Shift your mindset and grow your sensitive horse's pressure-handling skills to improve his confidence and your riding enjoyment.
