Would You Put Your Young Child in a Beginner Horses/horse Safety Class

I would, in a heartbeat! We had already picked out a place to teach my son basic horseback riding when we found out we had to move (so sad!), but my old neighbor takes her daughter (1 day older than my son, both 4 yrs old) and they're extremely happy with it. I'm jealous, for real.
The lady I know of is in TX, she teaches the kids how to care for the horses, get them all prepared to go, safety, basic riding starting with walking around with the lady right there with them, learning how to use the reins and heel, verbal commands. My old neighbor says her daughter will be posting, whatever that means, soon, but just a little at a time they're learning. But learning that horses are work, too, not just to ride. After the riding lesson, they go back and comb, clean up, all that. I think that's so cool.
Where we recently moved, I've called around a few places and they only teach English style and some stuff I've never heard of....more for shows than for fun, and way too much money. I wanted him around horses so badly though, we've started volunteering at a charity to feed the horses, and he gets to get a little time with them. Not the same, but it's something for now. I don't know what the market for it would be in WA, but if you move to SC gimme a shout.

Oh yeah. You could even offer 'private' and 'group' rates. I would definitely put my child in a class, even though I have also grown up around horses. My main thinking on that is because it's good for them to learn around other horses, and if I happen to have fallen into any 'bad' habits they will learn the correct way. lol.

Absolutely!
I would even love my DD to participate now and she's only 4. I think as long as they can reliably follow directions and are mature in how they handle themselves around animals, they'd do great! Great idea!
I feel like if I can get DD horse-crazy, maybe Dh will consider a horse someday and I can fullfill my own dream of horse ownership! Bwaahahah! My evil plan! LOL

We have a horse summer clinic just down our road and they require child to be 8 before they can attend. She teaches safety, care, and then basic riding. She is booked every summer, Not sure what the prices are since my kids are still too young.

The only place that accepts 5 year olds is the place I am quitting because it has lots of chaos and experienced horse riders keep telling me how it should be. Everyone else I called, including those certified, said the child had to be 8.
Frankly, I know two women who are trying to make enough with lessons to pay for their horses and related expenses. They can't get people to pay, everyone wants a discount, and most people drop out within a few months.
They have unlimited clients, just very few paying clients. Iwould require everyone to pay the same rate and to pay a month in advance.

Absolutely

I plan to have a horse or two when the time is right. If the time wasn't right before my son turned 5, I would definitely look into something like that just so that when we did get a horse he would be more comfortable around it.

If I got a horse before then, I really wouldn't need to put him in lessons since I would be teaching him all of it myself.

Most places require a kid to be 8 before learning to ride. It's been a while, but I think that kind of a class would be good. It sounds similar to what my stepdaughter did in elementary school.

I would. And I know a woman that has had her son in lessons since he was about 5--so I'm not sure about the 8 minimum age thing...
I think you could talk to your own insurance agent for some guidance...

My daughter just turned 6 and we are planning on getting her riding lessons this summer. I grew up around horses too and was an independent rider going to trails with my parents by 5. Now if I can just find a place that will take a 6 year old. Thanks for posting this! :)

Yes yes and yes to lessons. Why? Because you have the ability to SHOW your child your love for the animal. At this point in their lives it is all about experiences. That being said, if they don't show the same 'wow' factor and interest you do - don't sweat it, we all have different interests, so you move on to the next thing. For you - you may want to consider volunteering at a shelter.

My 13yo niece has been around horses since she was born - my dad has two. She fell in LOVE... where my sister and I are extremely allergic (go figure). My niece had the 'opportunities' and it has never been a 'fad' to her. She has had lessons since she was 4yo. She volunteers at a horse shelter every other weekend (what teenage girl will shovel manure JUST to be AROUND horses ?? :)). My niece wants a horse BAD... but the cost, boarding, etc just aren't in the cards right now (gpa lives 300 miles away). So she sticks w/her lessons, her volunteer work and trips to gpa's. She PLANS and researches opportunities. She has twice gone to a week long horse camp (no showers, running water... roughing it!), has books on horses, does reports on horses and to get her to read - it had to have a horse... she now reads other things too :).

Personally - I think exposure and the right lessons are the way to go.

ETA: My niece's dad stays with her at her lesson and really helped with the guidance of the instructor in the early days. He has become just as involved. She learns English at her lesson - while she rides Western at her gpa's.

Have fun!

I would love to do something like this with my kids. I have also put riding on the backburner, although I still have a horse, he is 29 and cannot be ridden by adults. My 3yo loves to go out and see him and sit on him but my 17mo is terrified of him and even though he will reach out and pet him he then bursts into tears. Personally I think you would have to involve the parents but be prepared to teach them for a few weeks before the children if they are not horse experienced. I also think having some well behaved ponies or minis would be a good thing for little kids, they are not so big and scarey and kids can reach more areas of them to brush without having to balance on a stool. I do know of a facility in Auburn that does kids pony classes, but I don't know the age range. As far as the price, it would depend on the age range for kids and how long the class is; for those under 5 I think the attention span for more than 15 minutes of productivity is not so good and I would be more willing to buy some sort of package deal than pay that for one lesson. You will need liability insurance through someone specializing in equines like Markel and an ironclad rock solid waiver that is best drafted by an attorney...I also know a good one who does alot of equine law in the area. Depending on if you board or own your own property the insurance will be differrent but you can get quotes, just google equine insurance.
Sorry this was lengthy but hope it helps!

yes i would and consider having stables people can rent this is a very effective business in rural oklahoma