[kmspeedhorses]

Hi everyone! Im new on here but I need some advice. I have a 6yr old son that has been brought up around horses. I was riding double with him when he was only 1 and he has ridden several different horses both alone and being ponied and so on. Well about a year ago he was riding a miniature and was jumping small jumps in our 60ft round pen when he had his first fall. We talked him into getting back on but after that he would'nt ride the miniature again. He did keep riding our rescued standardbred gelding. Keep in mind this gelding was 23 and so broke and infant could handle him!! Anyway his 'want' to ride has went down more and more, well finally he wanted to ride really ride all by himself again so since we dont have a "kid" horse I contacted a friend who has a shetland that was soposed to be DEAD broke, well when the pony started to trot away from us my son clamed up from fear and the pony took total advantage and crow hopped him off. Now the only way he will get on a horse (he really doesnt like pony's) is if I lead it. He wants to ride in the playdays with me but once we are there he clams up again and either wont go in the class or i end up leading him through it! I can't afford to send him for lessons or I would try that. Anyone have any idea how to get him past this? Ive taught him what to do if he needs to stop the horse and I am willing to buy him the right horse but I hate to do that if he wont ever ride it. Im just at a loss I hate to see him go through this mostly becouse he really likes horses and wants to ride but is just so scared. Any advice would be great. Thanks so much.

[Shotgun93]

I think that he just needs some time and a few good rides on a some lesson horses. I would take the money that you are willing to spend on buying a new horse and put that towards some lessons. Sometimes it takes an outside person to get a child to try something new, or do something. I really think that he would benifit from riding a different horse and having someone else give him a few lessons.
I know that I can tell people something a hundred times and not have them get it at all, only to have someone else come in and say the exact same thing and have the person finally get it. Does that make sense?

Also, he just may not want to do it, or is unsure about it and bringing him to an instructor might just be the push he needs to decide that he either doesn't want to do it or he does.

oh and by the way, welcome to the forum!!

[gratifite]

Originally Posted by Shotgun93

I know that I can tell people something a hundred times and not have them get it at all, only to have someone else come in and say the exact same thing and have the person finally get it. Does that make sense?

Doesn't that just drive you nuts??!

My son got kicked in the head when he was 4. He was very reluctant to get on a horse for a long time. And, it was actually my father that got him back up on. I tend to get a little, well - irritated, with him - which doesn't help. It's been going slowly, but he is gradually regaining his nerve. I agree w/ Shotgun, give him time; and if you can, find someone else who might be willing to work w/ him. Good luck!

[kmspeedhorses]

Thanks guys, Ill see if I can find a good instructor near us. Hopefully that helps!! Oooh he will be going to his grandma's for summer vacation maybe I could find him an instructor while he si there and that would be somthing to help my mom out too..she misses watching him with the horses badly..we just moved to TX in November of 04 all the way from MI!! Do you think thats a good plan? Or should he be somewhere that if he wants me to come I can just be there? Hmm somthing else to think about!

[riding_reaper]

Maybe you could get stirrup attatchments for a horse so he can ride a horse since he doesnt like ponies. That way you wont have to lead him and he will be able to reach the stirrups. He wont have to ride the shetland anymore and you could just watch him while he rides. And get him an instructor.

[Blistering Winds]

It takes time. Katie had blister SHAKE on her when she was 3. And he shakes HARD. Hurt her arm. Since, she has been afraid once he stops, because he shakes his head. It has taken time, and honestly tough love at times.

On days she clams up, I yank her off and say NO MORE RIDING. She starts to cry, but she begs me to put her back on. I tell her she needs to ride, not just sit there. Sure enough, she gets back on and rides properly. She's 5 now, but still clams up at times. You just boost their confidence most of the time. But do step in and not let them totally get away with it. Thats my opinion.

Katie is trotting around the pasture now. Though clams up every once in a while, I just say GET OFF< and she tells me no, and walks away. Sometimes being the bad guy kicks them into gear. Also, watching other kids REALLY gets them going. Riding with other kids, OMG, its like a SWITCH gets turned on and she wants to RUN!!!! So take advantage of what you can get!! And give it time.

[BarebackJourney]

I am only a teenager, but I still thought I'd give my advice.

Both times he's fallen, I'm sure he's been in some pain and had lots of anxiety. I can relate, after I've fallen MANY TIMES off of my pony. Now, there are a few different ways you can go about getting him back on.

-Go for a ride, and if he asks if he can come, tell him you want to ride alone, even without anyone watching. Keep telling him this, each ride. Most likely he'll get jealous and want to get back on ASAP!

-Tell him what he did wrong to have fallen the second time: clamming up. Explain to him how horses have a mind of their own, different than bikes, and realize when the rider is scared. Tell him to just be brave and not worry about what will happen. If he worries, he's more likely to fall or not enjoy himself.

-Give him all kinds of protective gear! Make it fun and even flashy! Make sure he has a helmet, even give him elbow and knee pads and decorate them or something! ^^ Tell him this will make riding safer, too.

-Try a few lungeing sessions with him, on your most trusted horse for him to ride with. Get him in the saddle he feels most comfortable in, and have a few lessons. Each time he clams up, stop the horse and remind him what he did wrong, and to relax.

Hope I helped and the next ride is good!

[morganslil1]

Well I guess I will be the odd ball out my daughter saw me get hurt rideing and now she is scared of horses I do not push her because I understand her fear I am terrified of high places and noone will ever make me go to the edge of a cliff and look off .Not everyone can be Horse people.

[SadDad]

Been there doing that. Long story short. I purchased a three y/o mare for my eight y/o kid. She has been riding two years and was a confident rider. She rode several different horses.

The horse I purchased rode wonderfully at the barn I purchased her at. She even rode great for my daughter for about a month or so. Then one day she spooked and started to run. The kid looked like she had velcro stuck to her butt, after several lapps the horse cutt and off came my kid.

She rode two more times after that and was scared to death both times. Then one day she said that was it and she stopped riding. I bugged her to death and screamed and yelled. Then I just realized if I keep the horse, learn to ride my self that she would keep coming and grooming and loving this horse. She cant get enough of being with her.

Then one day she decided she wanted to ride again. I took her to the stables and saddled up the old rickity horse she first learned on. She just sat on her for a while then teared up. She wanted off. I got her off and never said another word. Now she wants to go back and says she will walk. All I can do is take her.

So much for long story short.

My point is I am going to take her whenever she wants and let her do this on her terms. Each time gets longer and she does more.
Your kid will decide whats good for him. Dont push it.

[1rish]

Why did you put the child on an unknown pony when you have the 23 year old standardbred that Quote: An infant could ride?