Question about kids and horses. . .

[Equine_Woman]

How old does a child have to be to ride behind you in a buddy saddle? I saw some people on a trail this weekend and they had a kid on a ponied horse that was probably younger than my son (3) and he was riding by himself. My kid is 3 and has very good verbal skills and follow instructions well but I'm still WAY too nervous to allow him to even ride without a person standing right beside him. Am I being overprotective? He really loves to 'ride' and I know he'd have a blast if he could go with Sterling and I. But I was going to wait until he was 5 or 6.

[shynbvs]

im not an adult but i wouldn't send a young/incapable(obviously) kid w/o someone next to them and a REALLY good horse. I think that having a 3 yr old controlling a horse, especially not in an enclosed area, by themselves is irresponsible. But i think that if your horse is Ok with it those tagalong saddles would be a great idea. You should definitely try it, but i would have someone next to you at first.

[WashingtonBay]

I'm not a parent, but I have been a frequent leadline horsey sitter for the children of friends, and I don't think three has the strength to stay on. Their little legs are certainly not much for getting around the horse, and I don't know if they have the strength in their arms yet to hang on. I'd be like you, I'd be leading alongside with my hand on a foot ready to grab them.

And if I was riding, I'd put a 3 year old child in front of me. Any kid that will fit in front, actually, I'll put in front. it's even more fun for them, I think, they can see better and I can even let them help steer.

Around 4-5, they could ride behind and hang on, 6 they can probably sit the horse alone, but not control one on trail.

There are exceptions of course, with kids that started young and have advanced... I'm talking about beginners.

[shynbvs]

yeah, thats what i was trying to say, well said WB!

[Annasmom]

I'm not an adult (obviously) but for my kid I would say maybe 6 or 5 at the least. I just wouldn't risk it even trail riding

[carla]

I'm with you, E_W.. I say five or six for BUDDYING- probably not even ponying then. Although, when I was 5 and 6 I was on a non-ponied pony.

But this is OUR kids we're talking about here, right? ;)

eta: Oh! And let's not forget stirrup length. That's another thing that freaks me out with kids. Again, double standard..

[alittleoffkey]

My cousin (who gave me Leggy) had his son sitting on horses for photo ops as soon as he could hold up his head. His daughter was riding ponied at four and his son at three - they were both totally turned loose (on the proper horse, of course) at five years.

Depends on the kid, the horse, and the parents I guess. :)

[carla]

Depends on the kid, the horse, and the parents I guess. :)

Very good point, ALOK. Depends on the kid/horse/relationship as well..

[gaited07]

Okay, I'll bite.
I've had my daughter ride with me ever since she was born. I would have her sit in front of me (arena only mind you)
When she was about 4, I purchased a buddy seat and we've been all over the place. Of course, started in the arena, then short rides out from the stable, to long extended rides that includes some mountains (small climbs).
She does have her own horse that she rides in the arena mostly. We've had her out on the trail by herself on her horse but I had a lead line attached just in case. (age 5+)
I will continue to do this until she has full control of the horse using her hands, legs, feet and seat.
My daughter is 6 1/2 and still rides with me in the buddy seat. I love it, it seems to hold the kids in securely.

[alittleoffkey]

Yeah... my cousin's son was one of those kids who ran out and wraped his arms around the mare's front legs and she'd just stand there and nuzzle him. My cousin has several framed pictures of them. She loved him to death. I can only hope that I can find that horse for my future kids. :cowboy:

[carla]

I've always liked the looks of those, gaited- they're a great idea I think!

I have to add, though, that in my own situation, I do not have a horse-crazy son. He does not own a horse, nor does he have any special bond or relationship with a certain horse.

So, if any of those things were different, then I would have a whole different view. I certainly wouldn't just go stick him on one, though, for these reasons.

[gaited07]

Carla,
Yea, they are so secure and put your mind at ease knowing they pretty much wrap around your little ones to keep them in place.
There are so many different kinds out there. The "Buddy seat by abbetta" is the best.

[cowpuncher]

I don't have kids, and am not sure I'd condone this if I did, but......

When I was in Oregon, I buckarood with a guy whose boy was three, or maybe four. They had bought a retired reining lesson horse for him. Full size horse. He rode her around the pens without anyone holding on to the horse. In a kid's sized slickfork buckaroo saddle.

One day, we found some remnant slicks on the forest, and pushed them down to the pens. My pard and I would head and heel and stretch them out. Then, whoever had the head would take his rope off, and put the little guy's rope on the front feet. Then we'd walk the tail up to him, and help him dally. Then he'd sit there and hold calves while the guy he'd replaced would brand, castrate, vaccinate, and earmark the calf. We did somehting like 30 head that day. Never a wreck, and the kid was happier than the proverbial swine in the offal heap.

[Lynn_70]

I have pondered this question for years. My daughter is almost 5 now and I have just started taking her for short rides in the "buddy saddle". We love this product! It's secure and comfortable for the kids. I would not take a child younger than 3 in this, much less allow them to ride independently. From my experience, kids this young don't have the attention span, focus, and physical strength to ride alone for more than 5 minutes. Even the "perfect" horse isn't always predictable and there is significant risk involved for young children even riding with an adult. I also ALWAYS have her wear a good helmet.
Lynn

[carla]

Thanks for the info, gaited.. I would really like to try one- how big of a kid can fit? Mine is six already, but not too big for age. Of course, we have other little ones in the fam too.

[miatapony]

I have 2 kids and my daughter being 10 now has ridden horses since she could sit up right along with me for as long as we went out. she loves to ride and even though runner is hurt right now she still likes to lead him around they were born the same year and i think that is why she has that bond with him .. but i think if you feel like it is ok and safe then go for it. My daughter had a fun day in az before we left to go to Japan and she was lead into the aren and set loose on a full QH mare named Jewlez the mare would not even get out of a walk. all in all i think it is up to the parents judgement. My son who is now 6 would love to be able tp ride but owning one horse is hard when he is hurt. but he'll ride when runner gets better (if he can get better) Good judgement on parents part is the best answer.

[gaited07]

Thanks for the info, gaited.. I would really like to try one- how big of a kid can fit? Mine is six already, but not too big for age. Of course, we have other little ones in the fam too.

Your more than welcome:)
I think it's up to 65 lbs. with the buddy seat.

[Equine_Woman]

Thanks everyone!!! Well I feel better about it all now. I don't feel like I'm sheltering him!! He 'rides' Sterling a lot which is basically sit on her in a saddle (or bareback) and occasionally walk around. For the most part Sterling is a great horse for him but she has way too much spunk for me to turn him loose on her by himself. At least for now. When he was younger I took him in a sling a few times for rides but that was years ago. We have an older horse that I think will be perfect for him when he is a bit bigger. (He's 17 hands. . .but very calm and a been there done that. .bought the t-shirt kinda guy) I don't think I'm going to rush it. I'm sure I'll 'know' the right time to let him ride and for now I'll just keep ponying him and teaching him safety around a horse on the ground. Right now he's learning to train our dogs and he's doing very well. I feel it will transfer to the horses when he is a bit bigger. He can put our Mastiff in a down stay and she listens to him 100%.

[twofingers]

I ran a youth horse program for 6 years. I never let anyone under 10 ride without an adult holding the horse. and no one under 10 went anywhere but in the corral. If you were 10 and you could handle the horse you could go on the trail.

[TLC97]

This is something that is up to the parent. I was 3 when I was riding a pony (who had recovered from founder and never did more than a walk) all over the place at home. In a magazine I just got there is a picture of a 3 yr old roping and riding and the kid is good with a rope. Now with Jonathan, he likes horses, but he has only ridden in an enclosed area by himself. He rode with me riding Jake at 1 1/2 with hubby walking along side. He has ridden Jake now at the age of 7 and that was with me leading Jake around.

Next year------He will be showing youth walk/trot at our state QH show on a friends 4 yr old. I have known this horse since a baby and she has never done anything wrong, she loves kids and especially Jonathan. I have honestly tried to buy this horse a few times and my dear friend will never sell her, but has assured me if she ever decides to let her go she will let me know. If you had told me I would let my 8 yr old son show a horse that just turned 5 (in 2009) at a QH show I would have told you to quit smoking the wacky tabacky. But I am honestly comfortable with it.

It is up to the parent. We can not parent everyone else's kids for them, although I know I would like to some days.

[AppyLover]

My daughter who just turned 4 years has been riding with me since she was born. At first she would sit in front so I can wrap my arms around her. When she turned 2 1/5 I started taking her on rides with me. Gaited07 had an extra buddy seat she passed on to me and now my kid rides in that right behind me. Now that she is 4 I am starting so give her little lessons on how to hold the riens, how to sit, ect.... to see how well she will listen to me. She is doing really good and I now trust her strength to hold her on while I walk Abby around on a line. But I am also about 2 feet from my kid's leg so I can grab her if I need to. This is most likely as far as we will go, only because Abby is not a kid's horse and she will only put up with so much for so long. Her daddy and I have decided that from now until we retire out of the millitary she will just pony around with me. Once we are out we will get her own horse to start riding by herself. That will be around age 9. That is the plan for now, it could change, but so far this is the way we are aproaching our daughter's riding.

[OwnedByOurHorses]

Alot depends on the horse and the strength of the child..My twins started out riding young.Maddison who has mild celebral palsey has been riding since she was 2 to help with her mobilties of course during that time she was lead around on a well trained horse (I believe there is no such thing as a kid broke horse only well trained) by time she was 4 she could handle the horse on her own in a enclosed arena at age 5 she was riding beside me on trails, her twin Jessica was on a ponied horse. Jessica was just not ready to do it on her own until she was 6. Now at age 9 they do most of the pony training ..Yes they are the first time riders in most cases...They also help put time and miles on 3 -4 yr green broke horses

I was luck it came naturally to my girls and yes I get fearful at time thinking what have I let them do.

I also have the realization of knowing that Maddison has alot to deal with going through the medical issues she has and riding is what keeps her spirit up..So to slow her down or say hey that's to risky would be to damping her spirit...I rather see her smile in what she knows she can accomplishment then see the frown from the dispair of knowing her health restricts her.

[shynbvs]

Okay, I'll bite.
I've had my daughter ride with me ever since she was born. I would have her sit in front of me (arena only mind you)
When she was about 4, I purchased a buddy seat and we've been all over the place. Of course, started in the arena, then short rides out from the stable, to long extended rides that includes some mountains (small climbs).
She does have her own horse that she rides in the arena mostly. We've had her out on the trail by herself on her horse but I had a lead line attached just in case. (age 5+)
I will continue to do this until she has full control of the horse using her hands, legs, feet and seat.
My daughter is 6 1/2 and still rides with me in the buddy seat. I love it, it seems to hold the kids in securely.

makes sense to me! :)