What you will need.
For one ride.
Boots with a heel.
Waterproof jacket.
A riding hat (the riding schools loan them).
If you are riding regularly.
Riding Hat.
Strong trouser or jodhpurs.
Riding boots/Boots with heels.
Jacket or waterproof jacket
Back protector
Money
It is thrilling, a great way to see the countryside, and excellent exercise. It is also expensive and dangerous. It can also become extremely time consuming if your youngster wants to pursue the sport.
However, a family riding out into a wood or onto a beach, together, is exhilarating. It’s a kick, pun intended. Once everyone can ride, even supervised, it can be the treat of the holiday. For some riding becomes a life long love.
I suffered a concussion when thrown from a horse, well, I intended jumping a small stream and the horse at the last minute decided, “No”. I kept going over the top of the horse. (I fell hard on my back and was severely winded, but the shock affected my brain.) Testament to my riding. I know skilled riders who have been severely injured from riding accidents, and many with minor injuries.
This said, for those who love horses, it is the perfect sport.
For Accredited schools
Through out the UK, look up British Horse Society, Finding a riding centre.
The Association of British Riding Schools site has a UK wide map with approved schools.
Also have a read of the magazine, “Horse and Hound’s horse riding lessons.
Pony Club
Beware a family trot may lead to greater interest from the children. You may find your involved with the PONY CLUB which will introduce the children to likeminded girls and boys, and to dressage, show jumping or polo. Pony Club camps become much anticipated by members. It is a community of ‘horse-mad’ children. And, for parents? There are quite a few who grew up with Pony Club. Either way it’s more expenditure and learning to tow a horse boxes, having ‘assisted’ the animal into the box….. Before becoming involved, consider how much you wish to commit to your child’s equestrian ambitions.
Western Riding.
For some Western Riding (the way Cowboys in the Americas ride) is an alternative. In the UK the Western Equestrian Society,. The society produces a newsletter which gives a good flavour of Western approach. www.wes-uk.com.
From the website, the Society was formed to ‘promote the discipline of Western Riding to the standard practised in the United States. We promote the sport for enthusiasts at all levels, whether pure beginners or seasoned competitors”.
Taking it a stage further, you may like to look up the American NHSRA, National High School Rodeo Association in the USA, or, Rodeo Canada where they take Rodeo riding very seriously. At the top end of the scale there is scary youtube footage of professional rodeo riding. ….
Dude Ranching
Companies in the US and Canada provide Dude Ranching where you are a ‘guest’ on a ranch and live the “Western lifestyle” whether that it is mountain trail horse back riding, fishing, shooting. Some provide ‘cattle work’, bird watching, white water rafting and hiking. (There are dude ranches and riding holidays in Europe particularly Spain, Sweden, Croatia and Italy, Australia and New Zealand).