My horse Rainy has been giving riding lessons to young children (ages 2 through 6) and she seems to enjoy it.  She takes such good care of the kids, moving in a careful and quiet manner.    I wouldn’t trust many horses with a young child on their back, but Rainy is so in tune with my body language and understands her job so well, that she makes a very trustworthy lesson horse.

Children come with a parent or nanny who stays through the lesson.   No one is rushed; sometimes a child feels very shy at first when meeting a real live horse up close for the first time, no matter how many days on end they have been begging for the lesson.   Soon bravery and

curiosity come and it is wonderful to see a child’s confidence and abilities grow,  in one session and over the course of a few weeks.

Learning to lead Rainy, stop her, and back her up builds a child's confidence.

Riding lessons are mainly about developing balance and confidence on the horse.  Your child learns how to tell Rainy to walk, trot (when

they are ready), and stop.   The saddle has a comfortable “grab handle” which is easy for kids to find.

This 6 year old has just gotten on. It is her first time on a horse.

Riding without a saddle! Everyone is having a good time.

Children also learn about grooming, picking hooves clean, and parts of the bridle and saddle.

I have been equally amazed to see a child’s confidence grow over a period of weekly lessons, as I have to see how much my horse Rainy loves these kids.  One day a particular student and her grandmother arrived early and were on the side of the pasture on a hill calling to Rainy.  Rainy saw who it was and started walking over to greet the little girl.  People who know horses understand how special it is when a horse stops eating and walks away from their herd mates to come and greet you!

Showing me her "ice cream cone" hands!

A child learns better balance and can sit the trot more easily without using the stirrups.

I’m so grateful for my young riding enthusiasts, and for my sweet riding instructor partner, Rainy.   I feel blessed to have a horse who loves working with kids as much as I do.