Probably Not

If you possess the physical agility that will allow you to safely mount and dismount, are in reasonably good health and have a decent level of physical fitness, then you are not too old to learn to ride.  Our oldest beginning student holds the record at 83 years young, but you know what they say about records…just like rules, every now and again they are meant to be broken.

Absolutely, yes.

Riding is a sport, and a unique one at that!  You will feel muscles you haven’t felt in years, and sometimes even muscles you didn’t know you had!  It’s a great way for kids to stay physically active too; an ever-growing challenge in today’s electronically driven world.

Probably.

The answer to this question depends on how overweight, and also on your general level of fitness.  Although riding itself is a great way to achieve physical fitness, there are some weight limits for beginning riders as the horse’s health and well-being must be taken into consideration. 
If you are morbidly obese or significantly lacking in overall fitness level, we would encourage you to begin an exercise program to achieve a moderate level of fitness and agility before embarking on your riding career.  Riding requires flexibility, agility, endurance, and good balance, and starting with a decent level of fitness will allow you to progress your skills more easily and make for a much more pleasurable and successful experience.

It depends on your Riding goals.

Riding is a lifelong journey and one that requires patience, understanding, and immense physical awareness.  The answer to this very specific and frequently asked question depends on what you consider “riding”… so let’s start with the basics.

Six months to two years is a good time frame to learn to walk, trot, and canter on command and be able to control your horse’s direction effectively.  We know this is a big range, and many factors contribute to how long it will ultimately take, including your age and physical fitness level.  Don’t get discouraged if it takes a bit longer, it’s all about the journey and discovering a bit of yourself throughout the process. Horses are fantastic teachers if we just quiet the chatter in our minds and are willing to listen.

With many riding programs available, it’s best to look closely at the fundamentals: program philosophy, quality instruction, and a safe environment.  Look for a program that gives students the building blocks to help them succeed and the motivation to reach their dreams.  A quality program teaches children more than just riding - it teaches them life skills and how to set and reach goals.  An essential cornerstone of any good riding program is its philosophy. Riding involves both the mind and body, and you’ll want to look for a program that teaches more than just how to stay on a horse. Find one that provides a healthy, disciplined, safe, fun, environment where kids and staff apply common-sense skills to riding and to life. The best programs incorporate and encourage the development of respect for self and others, communication skills, personal and horse health, and an understanding of horse physiology and psychology. Find out if the program provides opportunities for additional learning such as theory classes, exercise and strength training (including balance and core strength classes), kids clubs and summer camps.

As with any educational learning program, a riding program is only as good as the instructors who work with the students. Instructors need to have not only a thorough understanding of horses - including horse motion, action/reaction, training and management – but also the ability to positively teach and motivate their students. An instructor must be able to adapt his or her teaching style to the personality, talent and learning style of each student. When evaluating different programs, sit in on one or two of your child’s lessons and watch the interaction between the him/her and the instructor. Take the time to talk with the instructor and find out about his/her training and how he/she can adapt the lessons to fit your child’s preferred learning style so that your child can maximize his/her understanding of the subject at hand.

Absolutely!  When evaluating a program, look at the horses carefully.  Do they appear to be healthy, well-cared for and well-groomed? Investigate how students are paired up with horses - is it random, does it change constantly, or does the instructor match students with horses based on size, skill level, and personality of both horse and rider?

Every parent considering riding lessons for their child worries about safety – after all, you’re putting your “baby” on the back on a 1200 pound animal! A strong commitment to the safety of both the riders and the horses should be a central element in the riding program you choose. Students should be required to wear helmets and shoes/boots with a heel. Other essential safety features should include a fully enclosed indoor or outdoor riding arena, safety straps on beginners’ saddles, a structured orderly environment, monitored transitions from riding ring to barn, immaculate tack and a program which stresses mastery of skills before advancement.

Part of a well-structured riding program is learning to care for the horse’s living environment. The entire facility - riding arena, barn, stalls and pastures - should be in good condition. Students should be expected to keep their tack clean, horse’s well groomed, and working areas clean and organized. Your child will spend a great deal of time at the barn where he/she rides, and should learn to treat the horse’s home with respect. He/she should also be afforded space to store gear and personal items, get cleaned up, attend classes/seminars, and spend time with the other students and their friends in the program.

Marina Genn,

Founder, The American Academy of Equestrian Sciences (AAES), is an internationally renowned Grand Prix rider, instructor and horse trainer. Explore the rest of this site to learn more about AAES, schedule lessons or register for summer camp, or call 703-779-8082.

Amy Carney Bevins

Freelance writer, assistant magazine editor and educator.  amycarneybevins@yahoo.com.