Children Children's Horse Riding: Fun Facts & Ideas facts and ideas

• There is controversy over the exact date horses were first domesticated and ridden; the best estimate is approximately 4500 BC.
• Becoming confident on a horse opens up many other related activities, for example polo and eventing which includes dressage, show jumping and cross country.
• Equinophobia or hippophobia is a fear of horses.
• The highest price paid for a thoroughbred race horse at public auction is $16 million (then £9.1 million) for a two-year-old colt which had yet to even race in 2006. The bay colt, (with a white blaze) was bred in Florida, USA and sold at auction the year before for only $425,000 (then £244,000)!
• The record for the smallest living horse was Thumbelina, a miniature sorrel brown mare who measured 44.5 cm (17.5 in) to the withers (the highest part of the shoulders) and was from Missouri, USA.
• Riding horses has some risks as when mounted, the rider's head may be up to 4 m (13 ft.) from the ground, and the horse may travel at a speed of up to 65 km/h (40 mph)!
• The longest tail on a horse is 381 cm (12 ft. 6 in) and was measured on the mare JJS Summer Breeze in 2007 in Kansas, USA.
• The official Fédération Equestre Internationale record for the highest jump by a horse is 2.47 m (8 ft. 1.25 in) by Huaso ex-Faithful in Santiago, Chile on 5 February 1949! 

What are the important facts to consider when choosing a riding school or instructor?

• Does my child have to commit to a whole term of lessons or can we pay as we go?
• Do I need to provide my child with specific equipment and clothes? The one thing a child must wear is a riding hat. This is the thing that you should think about buying before your child’s first lesson as it is always best to have your own. If you really cannot buy your own then you will have to borrow from the school or instructor. The school will probably have lots of different sizes so always make sure the one your child is using fits correctly.
• Proper riding boots are best but they are also expensive. If you are unable to borrow a pair for your child then trainers would be okay initially. If in doubt ask the instructor who will be able to give advice.

The British Horse Society provides welfare services to horses and advice for owners, campaigns for key equestrian issues on behalf of all horses and riders and offer the world's leading equestrian qualifications and approvals system.

The International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is the world governing body of equestrian sport, promotes equestrianism in all its forms and encourages the development of the FEI equestrian disciplines throughout the world, keeping the welfare of the horse at the heart of all their activities. 

Qualifications of tutors/coaches etc

The British Horse Society offers training courses for instructors in many areas for example First Aid, Safeguarding and Protecting Children and UK Coaching Certificates (UKCCs).

• Coordination
• Posture
• Physical Fitness
• Relaxing
• Calming

Horse riding can provide various benefits for different children. Some might gain confidence from learning a new skill, others love the opportunity to be outside in the fresh air and most enjoy spending time getting to know the horse or pony. At a riding school children may also be given the opportunity to help care for the animals and learn how much work goes into grooming and mucking out.

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson (born December 23, 1971) has ridden from a young age. Her father got her a pony from a local circus when she was 5 years old. He was very difficult to ride as all he really wanted to do was play football. The pony even came complete with his best friend - a donkey!

Former glamour model, occasional singer and businesswoman, Katie Price (born May 22, 1978) is also well known for her love of horses and horse riding and has written children’s books on the subject.

Other celebs who are keen on horse riding are Sarah Harding, Madonna, Richard Hammond, Jodie Kidd and Stephanie Powers.

A film giving an insight into a British Horse Society approved riding school and stables.

A very sweet film about naughty Ed the pony!