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How many lessons will it take before my child can ride?
This is one of the most common questions and there is no answer!. It entirely depends on your child’s ability to coordinate motor skills and use left and right hands and legs independently whilst maintaining their balance. It also depends on the child’s innate confidence.
Why are the lessons usually in the indoor arena?
Running lessons in the indoor arena provides as controlled an environment as is possible with horses. Horses (and children) do get distracted by things visible in the distance and limiting their area and line of sight is a very effective way of keeping their attention. In this controlled environment children gain their confidence much more quickly than they would in the open. Once children are confident and safe, we do run some lessons on the outdoor arena (weather permitting) and once per year we run a navigational ride or trail ride as a Weekend CLub activity.
When can my child learn to canter?
The pre-requisites for a child to be able to canter are:
- Stable sitting trot in an upright seat without holding onto the saddle or the reins for balance;
- Be able to independently move each leg forward or backward without the other one moving;
- Confidence.
The first canters are always on the lunge. They can canter off the lunge only when they can canter on the lunge without holding the saddle and can hold the reins with steady hands.
When can my child join a group lesson?
When he or she can walk, trot and canter off the lunge and maintain control.
Why does my child spend so much time on the lunge when she/he can already ride by himself?
The rider’s body position has a direct relationship to their balance and therefore ability to transmit their commands to the horse. Even though a child is confident off the lunge, position lessons on the lunge are an invaluable way to develop a more secure and therefore more effective seat (Riders at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna stay on the lunge for 2 years before they are permitted to ride by themselves!)
I don’t get to speak to the teacher very often. How do I know how my child is progressing?
There are several options available to you;
- *Speak to the office staff by phone. This person will then liase with the teacher to provide verbal feedback by phone, or at the next lesson. A Progress report can also be written which will be available for you to collect next lesson.
- *Leave a written message in the office message slot in the pigeon holes in the clubroom corridor.
- *Email a Progress report request via our website: www.balmoral.info remembering to include your child’s name and surname, teacher’s name and lesson day and time.
Should my child be wearing specialised equipment?
If this is your child’s first term, it is not necessary to go out and buy all the equipment as it may be a passing phase. However, we do recommend that for the child’s second term, you purchase a pair of jodhpurs for the comfort of the child (they reduce chafing) and makes the child feel more self confident. Helmets are available in the tackroom, but again we do recommend that your child has his/her own helmet if they continue past the first term. Riding boots are however an essential from the first lesson.
What happens if my child falls off?
Please stay seated and allow the instructor to deal with the incident. If the instructor needs you, he/she will indicate this. Otherwise it is best to stay put and let the instructor handle this part of your child’s learning. It is something that the children should expect to happen to them at some stage, and it rarely causes injury. It is always best for the child to remount as soon as possible to maintain their confidence. Quite often, once the first fall is out of the way, children actually realise that it is not that bad after all and actually improve in their confidence level. An incident report sheet will be completed at the end of the lesson which you will be asked to witness and sign. We obviously try to maintain safety at all times and minimise risk , but falls are a part of riding and we like to deal with them as such.
When should I buy a pony?
Only when you cannot stand the nagging any more! To be serious, owning a pony is a big commitment both time wise and financially. You must be absolutely certain that your child understands how much effort owning a pony will be and that come rain, hail or shine, it will need care and attention. You should never buy a pony for a child to keep it interested in riding.This does not work! Before you buy a pony, the child should be capable of tacking up, mounting and riding in walk trot and canter, then dismounting and untacking themselves.Without this level of experience, you as the possibly even less experienced adult, will end up doing most of the work!
If you do make the decision to purchase a pony, please speak to one of us first as we usually can find suitable ponies and avoid many of the disasters which can happen to inexperienced buyers. Please use us, we are here to help.
Finally, please feel welcome to discuss any aspect of your child’s progress or our programme at any time.
We welcome your feedback.
Julia, Kevin and the Balmoral Team
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