Children and horses go well together, but getting your kids involved in horseback riding is not as easy as it may seem. Unlike the amusement park, horse riding is an activity that demands a high level of confidence and control, which are best learned by experts or professional coaching. It doesn’t matter if you’re a riding or a non-riding parent, bottom line is that you want your kids to grasp the best practices in the first go, and cement the best foundation. You can however be an ardent supporter and active listener, which will not only keep your child motivated but also help them digest the information more efficiently.
There are many questions that come to mind when getting your kids involved in horse riding such as safety, suitable schools, proficiency of staff and costs. There are number of accredited horseback riding schools in North America and the UK that guarantee that your child will receive the best coaching, which includes attention to safety, animals and facilities. Horseback riding lessons may not be a best fit for some parents in terms of costs involved and time constraints.
Horse riding camps are a great alternative for equine loving kids who can’t make it to a school, and are offered in most communities and address all skill levels. These camps are an ideal choice as they are exclusively designed to provide horse riding for kids and typically house their own horses. The extent of these services varies from location to location, and could be daytime programs for a few days a week or overnight venues for a couple weeks at a time.
These camps are generally more fun and cover a number of aspects of the sport such as wearing your gear, basic horse care, safety and teamwork. While horse riding is the prime focus of these camps, they also do offer other recreational activities such as swimming, arts and crafts and hiking.
Whether you choose horse riding schools or camps, you will need to ensure they will be riding with the proper equipment, which is not something a majority of them provide. First and foremost are the shoes and must be worn when you’re riding a horse, grooming or simply around them. Paddock boots are best suited for English riding lessons, and is available with a leather ankle that can be either zipped or laced. The most important equipment of all would probably be the helmet and schooling helmets are ideal for practice lessons. When it comes to horse riding attire, you can choose to buy professional clothing or simply ensure your child’s legs are completely covered.
Horse riding is beneficial for kids who are diagnosed with a wide range of emotional, cognitive and physical conditions, and encouraging them to ride will definitely help them build and sustain their confidence.
