Across the UK, more and more children are discovering the joys of spending time in the saddle. From grooming ponies to making new friends at the yard, horse riding is a wholesome hobby that offers many lifelong benefits.
But, like any new adventure, getting started can feel a little daunting. What should your child wear? Do they need to know how to ride straight away? How do they build trust with such a large animal?
That’s where we come in. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top six horse riding tips for beginners to help your child start their journey on the right ‘hoof’, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
Why horse riding is great for kids
Before diving into the practical tips, let’s take a moment to look at some of the key reasons why horse riding is such a great sport for children of all ages. As parents, we’re always on the lookout for activities that keep our kids active, happy, and engaged. Horse riding does all of that while also teaching valuable life skills that can last a lifetime.
Improves physical fitness
Riding isn’t just sitting on a horse; it’s a full-body workout. Kids use their core muscles to balance, their legs to steer and grip, and their arms to hold the reins, all while moving in tandem with the horse. Even simple stable tasks like grooming, tacking up, and mucking out build strength and coordination by encouraging children to move with purpose and control.
Boosts mental health
There’s something special about spending time with animals. Horses are generally gentle animals that promote a sense of calmness, patience, and mindfulness, helping kids (and adults) slow down, focus, and enjoy the rhythm of riding or the simple pleasure of brushing a mane. For shy or anxious children, building a bond with a pony can also boost confidence and self-esteem.
Expands your social circle
Horse riding is a sociable sport where children can make new friends with like-minded people who share their passions and interests. Group lessons, riding clubs, and pony camps provide opportunities to work together, cheer each other on, and celebrate achievements. Kids learn teamwork, communication, and how to support one another, both on and off the horse.
Builds our connection to nature
Being around horses means spending a lot of time outdoors in the fresh air. Kids get to explore fields, woodlands, and bridle paths, see local wildlife, and learn to appreciate the environment around them. This connection to nature and animals is not only good for our physical health, but also helps us feel more grounded and in tune with our surroundings.
Our six tips for horse riding beginners
Ready to get started? Whether your child is just thinking about learning to ride or has already started lessons, we’ve put together six essential tips every beginner rider should know. By following these from the very beginning, young riders can build confidence, stay safe, and make the most of every riding adventure!
1. Start with the basics
First, it’s essential for your child to learn the fundamentals of horse care and behaviour. Horses are living, breathing creatures, each with their own unique personality and needs that must be respected and understood.
Stable management tasks like mucking out stalls, grooming a pony’s mane and coat, topping up food and water, and learning how to fit a headcollar and lead safely are all essential skills that help children become more responsible and confident around horses.
Many riding schools and horse riding camps encourage beginners to spend time around the stables before mounting. Watching instructional videos and reading beginner-friendly books about horse riding can also give your child a head start, so don’t be surprised if they’re asked to grab a brush before they grab the reins.
2. Invest in the right gear
Safety should always be the top priority when it comes to horse riding. While most riding schools provide specialist horse riding equipment, investing in well-fitting gear of your own is always a good idea if your child wants to continue.
This includes:
-
- A helmet: A secure, certified riding helmet is a must because it protects your child’s head in case of a fall. These come in a variety of styles, like hard-shell or velvet-covered, and should always fit snugly without wobbling. Be sure to look for helmets that conform to BSI safety standards.
- Riding boots: A good pair of riding boots with a small heel will prevent the feet from slipping all the way through the stirrups. There are tall boots, which provide extra leg support, and short paddock boots, which are more flexible and often worn with half chaps. Make sure they fit well and are comfortable to wear.
- Gloves: Riding gloves improve grip on the reins, which helps your child control the horse better, and they protect hands from rubbing and blisters during lessons or long rides. Many gloves have reinforced palms for extra durability.
- Comfortable clothing: Ensure your child wears comfortable, fitted clothing that doesn’t restrict movement. This includes jodhpurs or breeches with reinforced patches on the knees for grip, long-sleeved tops to protect arms from scratches, and layers that allow kids to adjust for warmth.
- Body protector: This protects the torso, chest, and back in case of a fall or collision. Body protectors offer various levels of protection, ranging from lightweight vests suitable for beginners to more rigid designs designed for jumping or cross-country riding. Many are adjustable to fit snugly without restricting movement.
You don’t need to splash out on top-of-the-range gear either. Many tack shops stock affordable starter sets for beginner riders.
3. Get familiar with your horse
Creating a strong bond with the horse is a vital step in becoming a confident rider. The more time you can spend with them, the better you’ll be able to understand their behaviour and body language, communicate effectively, and enhance the overall experience of riding.
When meeting a horse for the first time, approach calmly, speak softly, and offer the back of your hand to let it smell or touch it. This “horseman’s handshake” helps build initial trust, making the horse feel relaxed and ready for the ride. You can also get clues about their mood by looking at their ears: pinned back usually means they’re annoyed, while ears forward show they’re relaxed and paying attention to you.
In short, getting to know the horse can turn a pony that once seemed big and unapproachable into a friendly and familiar companion.
4. Be confident
Horses are highly sensitive creatures that can easily pick up on our emotions. If a child is nervous or jumpy, the horse may also become unsettled. That’s why confidence – even if it’s “pretend confidence” at first – is key.
Encourage your child in advance to take a deep breath, smile, and sit tall in the saddle. Remind them that their instructor is right there to support and guide them. And if nerves crop up (which is perfectly normal), it’s important to talk about their feelings with the instructor, take things at their own pace, and celebrate every achievement along the way.
Remember, mistakes are all part of the learning process. By being persistent, your child will soon progress to an intermediate rider in no time!
5. Sit up straight and keep your heels down
If you’ve ever watched a riding lesson, you’ll know the phrase: “Heels down, back straight!” This might sound simple, but it is one of the most important horse riding tips for beginners.
Sitting up tall with your shoulders back helps riders stay balanced and comfortable in the saddle. Rather than just being a passenger, you become part of the horse’s movement. Meanwhile, keeping heels down anchors them, preventing your feet from slipping out of the stirrups. Together, these small adjustments make riding both safer and smoother.
It might feel strange at first, like learning to balance on a bike, but with a little practice, it soon becomes second nature. So, having good posture matters, not just for looks but for control and communication with your horse.
6. Take it slow!
When you’re first learning to ride, taking things one step (or hoof) at a time is essential. It’s perfectly fine to go at your own pace and focus on getting comfortable with the horse’s movements. Rushing ahead can lead to bad habits and, more importantly, can be unsafe for both the rider and the horse.
One week, your child might master steering at a walk; the next, they could try a trot or even a canter. A good instructor will always introduce new skills gradually, increasing speed and complexity only as your child feels confident and ready.
Ultimately, the goal is to have fun; the more enjoyable the experience, the more motivated your child will be to continue improving their skills.
By following these top horse riding tips for beginners, young riders can feel confident, have fun, and make new memories!
Giddy-up at a horse riding camp with PGL!
One of the best ways to immerse your child in the world of horse riding is by enrolling them in our PGL Beginner Pony Camp (8-13 years). Here, kids can learn from experienced instructors, make new friends, and enjoy a fantastic range of outdoor activities—all in a safe and supportive environment!
For more advanced riders, we also offer:
Pony Improver Camp (11-16 years)
Get in touch with our friendly and experienced team today to see how we can help.
If you’re keen to add adventure into your children’s summer holidays, why not explore our other amazing specialist camps? We’ve got Watersports, Cooks Academy, Adrenaline Quest and much more!
