Keeping It Simple
Horse and Rider|Fall 2020
Don’t overcomplicate kids’ first lessons.
CASEY BRANQUINHO
Keeping It Simple

The first rides kids or beginners make can shape their love of (or disdain for) horses for the rest of their lives. To set my students up for future success I like to focus on safety, balance, hand placement, and demeanor in their first lessons.

Safety

To keep my students safe, especially the little kids, I like to start them out on a safe lesson horse (see Horse and Rider.com this month for what makes a great first horse) in a round pen. The smaller the environment, the better for the beginner to remain in control.

Balance

This story is from the Fall 2020 edition of Horse and Rider.

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This story is from the Fall 2020 edition of Horse and Rider.

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