Equestrian for kids

Information on equestrian for kids

Is equestrian right for your kids?

Considered one of South Africa's favourite leisure activities, equestrianism is an exciting activity that will not only enhance your child’s physical vigour, but also their emotional and mental maturity. South Africa’s vast countryside makes horseback riding an ideal hobby or sport. If your child wants to learn equestrian activities for kids, don’t worry about having to buy a horse or pony right away. While they are still beginners, you can rent a horse from a horse stable or recreational venue.

Children four years and up are allowed to attend riding lessons for kids. If they are starting to learn as toddlers, it is ideal to start with pony riding first because it is important that the size of the horse matches that of the rider. If your child wants regular lessons, you can enrol them in a riding school for kids. When choosing a riding school, there are many options. Make sure you choose a riding school with current public liability insurance provided by a recognised organisation. Make sure the school is accredited as South African Horse Riding Centres. These schools offer private or group riding lessons for kids, and provide proper equestrian clothes, equestrian footwear, and equestrian gear.

If your family wants to try horse riding as a one-off kids activity, find one of the many outdoor adventures centres with horse stables that offer short-term accredited programmes. Here, your kids can learn the basics, including the proper way to mount a horse using the saddles.

Get your kids to try equestrianism!

When your kids reach age six, they will be allowed to ride a horse on their own (provided they have received proper lessons). If your kids choose to pursue equestrian activities as a sport, there are three events they can compete in:

• Dressage: a horse is trained to carry rider with finesse.
• Eventing: a show of skill and endurance, including cross-country jumping, stadium jumping, and dressage.
• Show jumping: involves a course of jumps, such as vertical jumps and spread jumps.

According to studies, equestrian and horse riding can be therapeutic , which can be beneficial for kids with disabilities and learning difficulties. Horse riding comes with many benefits. It can built your children’s:

• Confidence
• Sense of responsibility
• Concern for animals
• Coordination
• Balance
• Core strength
• Sense of freedom

To find the nearest equestrian venue or riding school in South Africa, you can visit our ActiveActivities directory.

Interacting with animals and experiencing a thrilling activity are two of the things that children love. You can take them to a horse show, but why not go the extra mile and get them started on horse riding?