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|  | Finding the right sized horse Finding the right sized horse is very important to first time riders. The height of the saddle seat from the floor is a good starting point. Measure your child’s inseam and compare the saddle seat height. You can determine if the child will be able to put his/her leg into the stirrup, then over the saddle. The stirrup strap length is adjustable. It is higher than the floor, similar to a bicycle peddle and bicycle seat. If your rider is under 18 months, this is not a skill they can master. Decide if they are going to use the stirrups, as a step to get on the horse, or a leg-swing over the saddle from the If you are buying a larger horse for a smaller child, riding will require more adult supervision. All children should be supervised while riding. Young children can start rocking, forget to hold on, turn loose and fall off. Like learning to walk, speak and ride a bike, each child is unique in their own development schedule. After the child is walking, they will begin to master stirrup mounting. Rocking comes easy at a younger age, dismounting is more complicated. Children need more adult supervision if the child is not familiar with stirrup-step-up or have not fully grown into the leg-swing over from ground level. GLIDER or ROCKER??? .....How a SWING HORSE came to be. Early Victorian rocking horses were mounted at full stretch on deeply curved bow rockers. When ridden these elegant rockers would gallop around the house, posing a threat to riders, furniture and onlookers. So, in 1880 an Englishman invented the SWINGER or "SAFETY STAND". This proved very successful and steadily replaced the large bow rockers and became the style of choice. The advantage to a glider is it will stay put where a rocker will gallop, but not with the speed of the deep bows of 100+ years ago. How to look after your horse Make sure you keep your horse warm at night, use a blanket to keep your pony nice and warm. Keeping your horse's maine and tail nice is very important, use a brush and comb to groom your horse twice a day, once in the morning and once before bedtime. Exercise is very important in keeping your horse fit and healthy so try and go for a ride at least twice a day. Horses love to be stroked. Remember your horse was born in a stable, so he/she may feel a bit strange at first in their new home. The good thing is that your horse is very adaptable and is very excited about living with you and having lots of fun. We hope the two of you will love and take care of each other forever. If you do all these things then your horse will be a very happy pony!!! |
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ground. The saddle seat height is an important factor and affects whether or not a child can safely get on and off the horse by themselves. 
