Your first riding lesson: Expectation vs. reality
Allie HarbuckIf you have a kid starting riding lessons, chances are they’ve seen a few movies or shows or read a couple of books and have ideas about what their first lesson will be like.
Me too. When my mom signed me up for riding lessons as a ten-year-old, I assumed that I would be placed in the saddle trotting around by myself immediately. Or maybe I’d just hit the trail.
And while I still had the best time horsin’ around at my first lesson, I didn’t realize that I had a few things wrong. Knowing what to expect can help your kid have a better time because they’re less likely to be disappointed. So put this advice in front of your kid’s face if they think they’ll be taming a wild stallion on day one.
Expectation: I’ll be on the horse as soon as I get there
Your kid has probably been atop a pony at a fair or the zoo or their church’s cowboy-themed Vacation Bible School. Although maybe that last one was just me… When your kid rides under those circumstances, the horse is already tacked up and waiting for them to go. But consistent riding lessons teach you how to get to that point.
Before I got on my first horse, Jill, I had a lot to learn about her. My riding teacher introduced me to Jill and made sure I knew all the parts of the horse. While your kid may not be super interested in learning about hooves and hindquarters, it’s crucial to understand what makes the horse tick. For example, you can tell if your horse is listening to you on your ride just by looking at their ears. If your horse’s ears are flicking around, they’re focused on something other than their rider and may be be anxious.
I also had to learn the proper way to groom and tack up. Jill wasn’t my horse so I didn’t get to be there to take care of her every day. For kids like me who only make it out to the barn a time or two a week, helping take care of the horse is important to forming their bond. It also teaches responsibility and all those lessons that getting a puppy was supposed to teach.
Expectation: I’ll be able to ride independently my first day
Let’s face it, no kid is excited to be led around on their horse. That’s what the pony rides at the carnival were for! But even if you’ve been on a horse a few times, it takes a long time to get used to the feeling of being on top of such a huge animal. So for the kid’s safety, it’s pretty likely that their first lesson will take place at the end of a lead line.
If things are going really well, you may be able to walk around the ring without a rope and your instructor by the end of day one, but you won’t be able to turn or issue basic commands without a little help. Likewise, your teacher will help you practice mounting and dismounting the horse. Kids spend a lot of time learning and riding lessons are no different. It’s good to remind them that it’s still a learning experience and that learning new things is part of the fun.
Expectation: I’ll be spending all my time during my lesson riding
This was a big one! Since I didn’t grow up around horses, I thought they were pretty easy to take care of. They just hang out outside and eat grass, right? I didn’t realize that there is so much more to the horse than what happens in the ring. In addition to the glamorous part, your kid will learn what goes into taking care of the horse. They’ll likely get to feed or clean stalls on their first day.
It’s important to learn how to care for the horse. In addition to increasing the bond between rider and horse, it’s good to get the whole picture. A happy, healthy horse means a happy ride.
Expectation: I’ll be able to go on a trail ride or trot over obstacles on my first day
But whenever you learn something new, you have to start with the basics. It can be frustrating to go from walking and turning at the end of the lead line to having to review how to tack up or remember what a curry comb does. But it’s so so important to build confidence in the rider and the horse! If you perfect the simple things, it’ll make it easier for you to take on bigger and bigger obstacles
Expectation: Riding is easy!
This is an expectation for beginner riders and for people who don’t ride at all. Since the majority of riding takes place while sitting, it’s easy to assume that it’s pretty easy to master. But there’s a lot of technique in riding! You move and communicate as one with your horse and that’s no small feat. From the position of your leg to the way to the way you hold the reigns, everything influences where you and your horse will go (and how quickly).
But just because it’s hard doesn’t mean it isn’t fun. The feeling of finally mastering a tough combination is the best! There’s a reason we often hear the saying, “you just have to get back on the horse.” There’s going to be days when you fall off or you knock over one of the poles on a jump, but it’s important to remind your kid that one bad day doesn’t mean the next one won’t be better.
In the end, I’m glad my first riding lesson surprised me because the real thing was more fun than I could imagine! I remember my teacher and I having a water fight while washing horses, going on trail rides, learning roping tricks, and becoming friends with all the other kids who lived near the barn. These little moments don’t usually make it into the movies, but it’s what keep us horse girls sticking around.
If you want to help your kid prepare for a successful riding lesson, check out the articles below! And shop our kids riding apparel if you need help finding them the perfect outfit for their first lesson.
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