If you’re the parents of a child who is using someone else’s horse, you might be wondering exactly what the parental expectations are.
Make Sure They Have Everything They Need
The number one expectation is that you make sure that your child has everything that he/she needs to participate, and stay safe, in horse related activities with the horse or pony.
These include:
- Good fitting equestrian helmet that meets your program requirements.
- Riding boots with a half inch heel
- Jeans or breeches
- Belt
- Appropriate show attire, if showing the horse
A lot of horse programs will also have different learning opportunities available that you’ll want to attend with your child. For that reason, it might be good to invest in a pair of riding boots for yourself too.
Getting to the horse activities
Those activities might include horse clinics, horse shows, or visits to various horse related businesses such as breed specific boarding barns or veterinarian clinics.
As parents, you’re expected to get your child to these learning activities. Of course, things happen and you can’t make it to every single one but try to attend as many as possible.
The horse owner appreciates it when you get your child to these activities because it means they’ll be learning about horse safety and how to properly handle their horses or ponies.
It’s ALWAYS expected that you’ll stay there with your child.
The horse owner isn’t your personal babysitter. Some horse owners might not mind that type of arrangement but be sure you’re figuring that out beforehand. Don’t just assume it’s okay to drop and run.
Horses and kids need constant supervision when they’re together and it’s easier when there’s someone watching the horse and someone watching the child, especially when the child (or horse) is young or first starting out.
Letting your child learn and grow
As tempting as it is sometimes, don’t try to step in during a training session. Let the horse owner or your child’s riding instructor be the ones to do the teaching and don’t everything for your child. Let them learn and grow from someone who has the knowledge and skill to teach them all about horses. The self confidence they’ll gain from learning from someone other than their parents will be invaluable.
There’s a few things that aren’t parental expectations at all but are nice to keep in mind.
Many horse owners are more than happy to help your child learn all about horses and they won’t expect a dime in return. However, their time is valuable too so showing a little bit of appreciation goes a long way in the horse world.
Taking care of horses takes a lot of work so any help the parents can offer is always greatly appreciated. It doesn’t matter whether it’s helping with your own child (like lifting the saddle for them), the horses, or the barn grounds.
It also costs the horse owner a lot of money when transporting the horse for your child and making sure they have everything they need to do well at a show.
Even a few small things to help with those expenses are nice to receive such as a gas station gift card, hoof paint, horse shampoo, a package of mane bands, or even just a bag of horse treats.
Doing these things can help foster a great relationship between you, your child, and the horse owner. If you can find a good match early in your child’s horse program, they’ll be able to enjoy many years growing together.
It can be a wonderful experience for everyone when that happens.
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