SETTING KIDS UP TO BE GREAT EQUESTRIANS
These are my thoughts on setting kids up to be great equestrians (and protecting ponies from confusion, discomfort and negativity...and hence "naughty" behaviour)
1) Spend a lot of time leading and lunging your kids on horseback allowing them to develop their balance and independence of their seat in all gaits. The more time you invest in this the better.
WHY? Because it will improve their stability in the saddle and will reduce the chance of your child learning to balance themselves on the ponies mouth (ponies can get really upset by this).
2) Picking up the reins and taking control of a horse independently is a BIG thing. Coordination of hands, legs and seat to communicate with the horse in a consistent fashion (that ponies need to not be confused, uncomfortable or get negative) needs a high level of cognitive and motor skill development. When kids are 6, they start to demonstrate holding a pencil well...and when they are 8, they start maintaining legible handwriting for the entirety of a story. Therefore, consider this when you think it is ok for them to pick up the reins that are attached to a bit of metal in a horses mouth!
WHAT! Are you saying kids shouldn't ride till they are 8? No! I am saying it is a big deal when kids take over the reins. You need to coach them, make them aware of how they are picking up and applying reins, legs etc. They should be encouraged to do simple things. Simple steering, simple transitions etc. until they are ready to do more complex things.
WHY? Because kids can accidentally pull and kick randomly without awareness as their coordination, cognitive and motor skills have not yet fully developed to do something as complex as communicating with a living, feeling, thinking animal that can get upset if it is confused or made uncomfortable.
3) Consider not using a bit to begin with and making sure the saddle has a support they can grab hold of such as a handle, monkey strap, horn, night latch etc.
WHY? Because if they do accidentally pull or need to stabilise themselves the bit in the horse's mouth is not involved.
4) It is the best if the pony does not always get ridden or handled by the child.
WHY? Ponies and horses are always learning and they can learn from kids. Kids when they are learning and developing in their skills can accidentally teach them negative things by mistake. Having a regular tune up ensures that the inconsistencies the pony might be exposed to whilst being handled by a child don't result in any difficult or negative behaviour.
5) Don't let your kid treat the pony like a toy. Teach them they are horses, that have feelings, need care and have to be handled in a certain way that is consistent so they understand. We need to pat them, brush them and love on them but we need to do it in a way that doesn't make the pony feel uncomfortable.
WHY? Because ponies are NOT toys. Kids need to understand what to look out for to know whether the pony is accepting of what is happening to it or worried about it. Teach them to make these observations as they are important.
6) Don't do everything for your kid. Don't feed, groom, clean stalls, tack up, untack etc. the pony.
WHY? The greatest thing about horses in your life as a kid is the life lessons they teach you about taking responsibility for another. There is another BIG reason for this and it refers back to my advice in point 2). Doing these things with horses will supercharge the cognitive and motor skill development of kids! Therefore, if you want to get your kids on riding independently and doing it well, get them doing all the things that needs to be done to care for a horse and it will accelerate their development and abilities!
Finally, get an appropriate pony and learn how to handle horses on the ground and groundwork. Many people that invest in my groundwork course are Mum's seeking to improve their abilities to help handle their kids ponies.
