| Owning a horse is a huge responsibility | | | | jittery the rider is, the calmer the |
| for an adult, much less for a child. | | | | horse should be. Hence, the best kind of |
| Owning a horse requires a lot of time | | | | horse for a child is one with a very |
| and money, both from the parent and the | | | | good temperament. The pony or horse |
| child, therefore, before you decide to | | | | should not have a history of bolting off |
| go horse-shopping, it's best that you | | | | whenever they are scared. Compare this |
| sit down and discuss the | | | | to the needs of an experienced rider who |
| responsibilities and tasks involved in | | | | needs a very sensitive horse who is |
| owning and caring for a horse with the | | | | responsive and understanding. |
| child. A horse, remind them, is not a | | | | Riding experience and testing the horse |
| mere domestic pet. It's unlike a cat, | | | | out |
| dog or hamster. Horses require more than | | | | As mentioned, before a parent decides to |
| that. | | | | buy a horse for the child, the child |
| Let your child know that the owner of | | | | should be given a chance to take riding |
| the horse should be ready to take on the | | | | lessons and familiarize herself or |
| responsibilities of grooming, | | | | himself with horses. Not only does the |
| exercising, feeding, washing, playing | | | | child have to take riding lessons, it is |
| with and caring for the animal. These | | | | best that the horse is a trained one as |
| responsibilities should be done daily, | | | | well. |
| otherwise, both the horse and the owner | | | | The child and horse should get to know |
| will suffer. | | | | each other before the parent actually |
| Before you actually go out and buy a | | | | purchases the horse. Test the horse out |
| horse, parents are strongly advised to | | | | by taking the child out for a test ride. |
| bring the child to a stable, let them | | | | Let them get to know each other and then |
| take some riding lessons. This will help | | | | let the child decide which horse is best |
| your child understand and comprehend the | | | | for him or her. |
| responsibilities ahead of him or her. | | | | Horse to suit the occasion |
| Parents should give the child adequate | | | | Depending on what the child intends to |
| time to adapt and adjust accordingly. | | | | do with the horse, there are many |
| Under the supervision of an expert, they | | | | different types of horses trained for |
| should be able to grasp the whole | | | | different purposes. Some horses are |
| concept of owning a horse in about a | | | | suitable for riding on the flat, some |
| month or two. | | | | prefers a horse that will jump and |
| Buying a horse that suits your | | | | perform. Some prefer a horse that can be |
| personality | | | | taken hunting or ride through rough |
| It is important for a horse buyer to | | | | terrains and some prefer show horses. |
| understand that there is a very special | | | | Consult with the horse trainer so that |
| relationship and bond between a horse | | | | you do not get the wrong type of horse |
| and the owner/rider. The more nervous or | | | | for the wrong purpose. |