My 4YO son had the opportunity to "try" a riding lesson for free this weekend. He's an extremely active, non-napper - teachers "love to hate" my son - he asks a million questions, and has an extremely advanced vocabulary, etc, but when it comes to "sit down and do your work quietly", forget it. I'm actually getting worried about sending him to kindergarten next fall; he would be the YOUNGEST, and SHORTEST, and probably the most academically advanced. We thought maybe something like riding would help? It's supposed to give him control over himself AND over someone else (poor horsie!) and the horse handlers do academic type drills and problem-solving WHILE he's riding. So...he napped like a CHAMP yesterday after riding, and when we asked him if he wanted to do it again, we got a "YESSSS!"
Anyone else tried something like this? He needs to learn "self-control", but not in a overly-controlled environment (ie. "military school"). Is it worth the money and time? I know people do this for differently-abled kids and kids with emotional disabilities.... would it work for my crazy normal kid?
So... The boy liked it so much that we are using horseback riding as a "reward" for a set number of well-behaved school days. Right now, I don't see us taking him more often than once a month - so we can afford it. The place is set up for "therapeutic" riding for children and adults; they have one person at each stirrup and a trainer leading the horse. They have XS and S helmets and other types of guards available for use. I really like the drills they do with him while he is up on the horse; I have been thinking of asking them to tailor the material to him specifically (preschool curriculum doesn't challenge him enough). I'll let you know how this works out for us.... Thanks for your input.
First, disabled kids sit up on the horse. They walk around, are taught
how to sit, hold reins etc. If you are talking about true "riding" lessons,
he is too young. Six would be the earliest I would start.
I have an active 4 year old and I would be concerned that mine would have the self control to be safe around horses at this age. I don't know your son so you would have to judge that for yourself. My son has improved his behavior a lot in preschool so he can be ready for Kindergarten next year. I doubt he would have been ready without some preschool. I have also heard good things about martial arts for active and even ADHD kids. I haven't tried it yet though.
Horseback riding is awesome! I loved it when I was a kid and have let my daughter have a few lessons. When we can afford it, I will definitely get my kids riding again. And, it really wears you out! O.ut of curiosity...is it English or Western? There aren't many male show jumpers out there until the Grand Prix level, so it is always good to have more boys out there. During my entire hunter jumper "career", there were only two boys that were at most of the shows.
Good luck!
Sounds like you found a good outlet for him to learn self control. If he likes it and you can afford it - no question - do it and enjoy it. Maybe take some lessons yourself. Sounds like it could be good family fun.
I started riding when I was 4 (life long addiction... Teddy Roosevelt said it best, imho, "There's just something about the outside of a horse that's good for the inside of a man.")
It's not that the rider is in control, it's take it's a partnership. A flowing language between horse and rider with the result being thrill :)
I'm adhd-c, and was more than a handful growing up. My dad banned me from the stables on numerous occasions (my dad was also gone 6mo a year out to sea), and my mum nixed him. Riding wore me out and made me happy in one fell swoop. My attitude was better, my grades were better, and I was soooo much easier to live with (all 3 according to my mum). By age 11 my parents didn't spend a dime on my riding, because I became a "working student". This is where kids really do work -mucking out stalls, feeding boarders and barn horses, helping the vet, washing, exercising (the horses), putting them out or bringing them in from pasture, etc. I would work 10 hours a week in exchange for 1 hour group lesson. When I was 13 and we lived near Del Mar I even exercised racehorses (I was saddleweight at 123, but almost 6 feet tall, so I had the leverage for flightly thoroughbreds).
The acting/reacting (every action has an equal and opposite reaction), and need for self control while riding (because you're a team, throw a fit and you give the wrong signals), is something that is just phenom. And for someone as emotional as I was, horses were SAFE. They didn't judge, they were never disappointed, they didn't get angry (can you tell I never rode shetland ponies, shetland ponies are BORN angry, and just get more ticked off as they age)... huge, soft, loves you could wrap your whole body around and who would hold you safe. Like giant dogs morphed with motorcycles :) :) :) Love and freedom that you don't need an organ donor card for.
I grew up riding... we had 2 horses... it is a really great experience.
But like anything, the MAIN thing is your child likes it.... or like anything, it will be a "chore" and not fun.
Riding.. is so great... in so many ways... for the child and learning...
all the best,
Susan
I think that sounds absolutely wonderful!! It's funny, cuz when you ride a horse, you think that you aren't getting any exercise - it's the horse doing all the work. But, that's not true. Riding is very mentally stimulating and it is a physical workout as well. You can tell by the sore muscles the next day! LOL! Your son seems to have really taken to the lessons and I would say that it's definitely worth the money. He may only do a year's worth or continue for a long time. Your son is at an age where sports will start to become available (if they haven't already). Sports can be a great outlet for kids with a lot of energy, but with a whole team (I'm thinking tball), coaches typically don't have the patience or time to help a kid like your son with more one-on-one instruction. Horseback riding in a facility like you describe sounds like a pretty perfect situation. I'm sure he's feeling a great deal of satisfaction being able to tell a 700 lb. animal what to do just by moving his hands and reins! Good luck to you and your son and have fun!!
I would let him ride, especially if he loves doing it. I have been riding horses and owning them my whole life. It can be a very rewarding and discipling sport. If he sticks with it, maybe he would be able to learn to care for the horse and learn to tack them up. When your riding you do have to be in contol and aware of everthing around you. My son will be turning 2 soon and Im going to start him in peewee rodeo next summer. Its never too early to start and I bet you will see results for your son.
Hi K.,
I have been teaching horseback riding lessons to children and adults for about fifteen years and have also directed a riding program at a residential children's home. I currently operate a horse program for preschoolers. My program involves a variety of activities, mostly on the ground. The children sing songs, play games, learn about horses, have hands-on time with a mini pony, do a craft, have storytime, and have a short five minute individual riding lesson. I designed the classes to include short periods of sitting/listening, followed by more active segments. The rides take place at the end of the class, so the students learn patience and are rewarded for it. I have taught about 100 small children in these classes and they seem to work well for even the most active children. While you probably don't have anything like that in your area, I do not think riding lessons are a bad idea for your child. He needs to be on a small pony, wear a helmet and proper footwear, and have an adult leading the pony (from a short distance). Aegis makes a great small helmet for preschoolers- you can find it at Dover Saddlery. The rides should be kept short- I recommend 15 minutes max. Bottom line, make sure he's safe, and if he's loving it and you think the benefits are worth the cost, have fun! My FB page is called Ride From the Start if you'd like more info.
I think riding, if you can afford it is terrific for kids. It would definitely teach him "self control" and he doesn't have the distraction of other kids. Wow, if the horse handlers do drills etc that's even better. My daughter has taken lessons and LOVES it. She needed a confidence booster and is a little bit weak in the upper body. It helps her a lot. She does not have disabilities, but was a bit shy. What a great opportunity! Karate or martial arts is also really good.
It definitely can't hurt and can direct his energy and focus somewhere positive. I was a coach for handicapped vaulting (gymnastics on horseback), and it included some emotionally abuses children as well. Taking care of a horse, and working with the horse are very therapeutic for everyone involved. I used to vault competitively too.
I have been a lifelong rider, since the age of 8. I love horses and riding and working with horses can make a huge positive difference in a kids life---if the kid is ready and the program is safe and appropriate.
I am going to be voice of caution here (or voice of dissent, if you want to look at it that way). To me, the minimum age for a child to start riding on their own is 6 or 7 years old. 4-year-old children, in general, do not have the motor control or common sense to be around horses without excessive supervision (and I mean having 2 adults walk next to the boy, as side-walkers, while another adult leads the horse, plus being at his side 100% of the time for the tacking up/helping groom the horse, etc.). Also, the safety equipment (primarily, the riding helmet) generally is not available for a child that small. I _would not_ let my child ride without a helmet, and riding with a poorly fitting helmet is incredibly dangerous if the child were to fall.
So, if you are not a horse person, I would strongly suggest that you educate yourself a whole lot more before going through with this. Horses, while I love them and they can give so much to us as humans, are unpredictable and they are prey animals can react unexpectedly in fear, with a very strong fight or flight instinct. Of course, horses in an good riding program are chosen for their suitability, but that is not a guarantee and in fact all horses at one time or another will "spook." I strongly urge you to call your local county extension agent or 4H group and speak to them. They can tell you in more detail what you might look for or be wary of.
If you want to teach him self-control, how about karate or martial arts, instead? There is no risk of having a large animal react in fear with your child aboard..... Then, give him another couple of years to mature, and get him lessons then. If your real concern is his age and self-control for kindergarten, most places will allow you to hold him back for another year, during which you can work on his self-control with him.
My daughter started riding at age 4, she still rides today and she is 23. She loved it!!! She learned self control and respect. Best thing I ever did.
If you have the funds it sounds like a great thing for him. And I would definitely not send him to kindergarten. My kids are advanced learners and it breaks my heart to see a boy in 'trouble' at school for not sitting still at age 4,5,6. Just keep reading to him, teach him his phonics - I'll bet he'll read young (it's normal for boys not to read until 7, so don't worry). Keep the Playmobile and Legos out - great for creativity, building, planning. Get him a library card and go get a stack of books once a week and answer his questions - and find another mom with a similar boy so that you can get free time while the other mom lets the boys climb trees! Peter the Great (of Russia) and Winston Churchill both worked at standing desks as adults - bet they were active 4 year olds, too!
Hi K.
I mean this when I say, my theory was always "why not use it while it is working" That theory worked for my crazy normal, hyperactive normal, hyperintelligent normal child.
We did sports and it worked so we continued, usually the season was up about the time he was sick of it, so he went on to the next thing and was ready to repeat in the next year.
We did horse therapy with our hyperperfectionist child. She loved it, but we didn't think it did what we expected but she got alot out of it as we look back. Mostly it depends on the people. Again used it while it was working.
God bless you with His wisdom
LOL--well it obviously didn't hurt!
I loved riding lessons as a child and as long as it is a safe environment, I'd say, why not!?
