Can a child join up?

gratifite · 01-30-2006, 09:42 AM

I have a niece who wants to come visit me this summer. She is a total horse nut, though has no experience with them. She has read a lot and would like to join up with one of my horses. All four of them are used to the process, so that's not the problem. The problem is that my niece is very small - like 4'6" and 50#. She's 10 years old, has read about and understands the concept; I'm just not sure the horses will respond to her. Am I borrowing trouble or do you think she'll be able to do it? Suggestions, advice, warnings

Blistering Winds · 01-30-2006, 09:46 AM

If she is willing to listen and follow directions, then yes, a child can join up. There is no Age limit, only the issue of can the horse pay attention to something that small, and if she has enough UMPH in herself to get her point across.

Ureventer · 01-30-2006, 09:47 AM

I'm sure this is a stupid question, but what does "Join-up" mean?

Blistering Winds · 01-30-2006, 09:51 AM

Join Up is a term used by Monty Roberts to get the horse to accept you.

Round Pen reasoning by John Lyons is a similar technique, and to me, better explanation of why the horse is doing what it is doing.

Both do the same things, just different explanations of the process.

Shotgun93 · 01-30-2006, 09:53 AM

I have an 8 year old in lessons who has done it.

gratifite · 01-30-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shotgun93

I have an 8 year old in lessons who has done it.

I know age doesn't matter, but I'm worried about size. Is the 8 y/o small? What size & age horse has she done it with? I just don't want my niece's heart broken if it doesn't go as planned

, so I would like to do whatever I can to make things go smoothly.

Wrangler · 01-30-2006, 01:37 PM

I would base it on how comfortable I am with the horse being used.

i_luv_wildfire · 01-30-2006, 04:21 PM

I don't think size has anything whatsoever to do with it. If she is the kind of person who can "think big" as I was always told when I was learning to ride, then she should be fine. If she can act as though she is the alpha horse, then I don't think it would matter if she was four feet tall. It depends on her attitude more than anything else.

Blistering Winds · 01-31-2006, 01:59 PM

From yoru explanation, 4ft 6, she's plenty big enough.

Katie has learned some basics in the round pen. She hasn't hit 3 feet yet and she's 5.

My biggest worry, with kids, is getting in with a horse who doesn't know what to do,and a bit of "aggressiveness" kicks in. But since you say your horses have experience, probably isn't that big of a deal.

01-30-2006, 09:42 AM	#1
gratifite Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Kansas Posts: 428 Images: 2	Can a child join up? I have a niece who wants to come visit me this summer. She is a total horse nut, though has no experience with them. She has read a lot and would like to join up with one of my horses. All four of them are used to the process, so that's not the problem. The problem is that my niece is very small - like 4'6" and 50#. She's 10 years old, has read about and understands the concept; I'm just not sure the horses will respond to her. Am I borrowing trouble or do you think she'll be able to do it? Suggestions, advice, warnings __________________ If you can't be good, be good at it

01-30-2006, 09:46 AM	#2
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,429 Images: 793 Blog Entries: 16	If she is willing to listen and follow directions, then yes, a child can join up. There is no Age limit, only the issue of can the horse pay attention to something that small, and if she has enough UMPH in herself to get her point across. __________________ 20 lb club: New year Start: 175 Goal: 130 Current: 158 Total loss this year 17 lbs.

01-30-2006, 09:47 AM	#3
Ureventer Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Munchkinland (fa la la) Posts: 5,119 Images: 29 Blog Entries: 34	I'm sure this is a stupid question, but what does "Join-up" mean? __________________ ♥Formal Attyre Voici mon secret. Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.

01-30-2006, 09:51 AM	#4
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,429 Images: 793 Blog Entries: 16	Join Up is a term used by Monty Roberts to get the horse to accept you. Round Pen reasoning by John Lyons is a similar technique, and to me, better explanation of why the horse is doing what it is doing. Both do the same things, just different explanations of the process. __________________ 20 lb club: New year Start: 175 Goal: 130 Current: 158 Total loss this year 17 lbs.

01-30-2006, 09:53 AM	#5
Shotgun93 Senior Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southwest SD Posts: 13,024 Images: 122	I have an 8 year old in lessons who has done it. __________________ In the quiet light of the stable, you hear a muffled snort, the stamp of a hoof, a friendly nicker. Gentle eyes inquire, "How was your day old friend?" and suddenly, all your troubles fade away. -Author Unknown

01-30-2006, 01:37 PM	#7
Wrangler Full Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: IDAHO Posts: 111	I would base it on how comfortable I am with the horse being used.

01-30-2006, 04:21 PM	#8
i_luv_wildfire Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the barn Posts: 4,191 Images: 214 Blog Entries: 3	I don't think size has anything whatsoever to do with it. If she is the kind of person who can "think big" as I was always told when I was learning to ride, then she should be fine. If she can act as though she is the alpha horse, then I don't think it would matter if she was four feet tall. It depends on her attitude more than anything else. __________________ *equestrian sports...* strength \| determination \| energy \| heart eat. sleep. ride.

01-31-2006, 01:59 PM	#9
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,429 Images: 793 Blog Entries: 16	From yoru explanation, 4ft 6, she's plenty big enough. Katie has learned some basics in the round pen. She hasn't hit 3 feet yet and she's 5. My biggest worry, with kids, is getting in with a horse who doesn't know what to do,and a bit of "aggressiveness" kicks in. But since you say your horses have experience, probably isn't that big of a deal. __________________ 20 lb club: New year Start: 175 Goal: 130 Current: 158 Total loss this year 17 lbs.

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