Ridecamp: Re: [RC] riding with kids

As for the fear factor. . . <g> I really don't remember being afraid when I 
took my own kids out on horses. But the granddaughter is another story 
entirely. She scares me to death. Must be an age thing. . .

One of the things that bother me is the distance she is going to fall when it 
does happen. Falling off the tiny pony is one thing, and she has done it many 
times. But, when she comes off of Jack it is going to hurt. In the spring, 
when she starts to ride again, I'm going to take the time to teach her the 
emergency dismount. At least then she will know how to come off with the 
least amount of trauma.

The last time we took our little trail ride (over the farm), I had Jack on a 
lead, ponying her along at a nice walk. We came to a small stream that can 
easily be stepped over. My horse didn't even hesitate, but too late I looked 
back to see if Jack would do the same. No, he was poised to jump. I 
yelled,"hold on!" just as Jack hopped over. Well, it was too late for Paige 
to grab anything, so both hands with a rein in each went straight up, along 
with her tiny butt and both feet went straight up as well as she was tossed 
out of the saddle. Thankfully, she came back down in the middle of the saddle 
with a look of shock on her face. 
I tried not to laugh, but the relief was so great I had to let loose just a 
little. Jack was non-pulsed, and Paige started talking a mile a minute about 
her grand adventure, jumping over the creek.
The delight and wonder as seen from a young new rider's point of view is a 
grand thing. I'm looking forward to our adventures on the trail as she grows 
and expands my own view of the path ahead.
All we can do is try and be as safe as possible without stifling the need to 
venture out into the world.
Enjoy,

Jan

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