| So, you have a horse crazy child, and you are thinking | | | | look at his age. Not that there can't be a great kid's |
| about getting him or her that first horse. Whether you | | | | horse that is younger than 6, but it would be much less |
| have experience with horses or not, finding the perfect | | | | common. I don't discount the older horses at all, even |
| horse for your child can be like finding a needle in the | | | | the much older horses. My daughters all learned to ride |
| proverbial haystack. There is no shortage of horses | | | | on horses that were 20 years old and older. These |
| and ponies that are advertised as "kid safe". | | | | horses were worth their weight in gold, and they took |
| Unfortunately, the actual percentage of horses that | | | | care of my girls. In return, we gave them a loving |
| are truly "kid safe" is very small. Here are some tips on | | | | home in their golden years with light work, good feed, |
| finding that perfect horse or pony that will become a | | | | and lots of love. We lost the last of these great |
| member of your family and take care of your precious | | | | horses at the ripe old age of 36. The criteria I |
| little one. | | | | mentioned before still apply to these older horses; you |
| First of all, consider the age and skills of your child. For | | | | don't want one that is highly spirited, and some are, |
| a very young child who hasn't had lessons in | | | | even at 20+years. |
| horsemanship, an older "babysitter" horse is a must. | | | | Also of equal importance is the horse's training. "Whoa" |
| Often there is a misconception that like with puppies, | | | | is much more important than "Go". The horse should |
| young horses and children can grow up together. A | | | | have a good handle, and he should be easy to stop |
| young horse needs the guidance and experience of a | | | | and steer. A horse that is hard to control is not only |
| trainer or very experienced rider. It takes many | | | | frustrating for a child, but dangerous as well. |
| months, even years of training to teach a horse his job, | | | | Then, I look at the overall condition of the horse. Does |
| and this is something well beyond the scope of an | | | | he have any lameness issues? Some very mild |
| inexperienced child. A "been there, done that" type of | | | | lameness in a kid's horse wouldn't necessarily be |
| horse is much better suited to a young or | | | | cause for me to rule him out. A veterinary inspection |
| inexperienced rider. | | | | should be done prior to purchase to rule out any |
| I initially look for several things when considering a safe, | | | | serious health issues. Lastly, and probably most |
| kid's horse. First of all, the temperament of the horse is | | | | importantly, your child should be comfortable with the |
| crucial. Will he stand tied quietly (for hours) without | | | | horse and you both should feel safe with him. If |
| getting impatient, pulling back, or jumping around? Is he | | | | possible, a trial period of a week or two would be ideal. |
| calm under pressure, like loud noises, sudden | | | | That way, you can determine if the horse or pony is a |
| movements, and being touched all over? He should be | | | | good match for your child. I always encourage |
| easy and safe to saddle, bridle, have his feet handled, | | | | horsemanship lessons because knowledge and safety |
| easy to catch, and trailer load. | | | | are the key to a great relationship with horses. When |
| Then I look at his past history. What has he been used | | | | you find the perfect kid's horse for your child, you will |
| for? A horse that has had a lot of miles on him may | | | | be amazed at the partnership and bond they will form |
| be a good bet. If he's been sitting in a pasture for | | | | together, and the peace of mind you will have knowing |
| much of his life, he doesn't have the exposure to the | | | | that your child is being taken care of by his equine |
| many situations that an old veteran may have. I also | | | | friend. |