Getting involved with horses does not mean getting 
a horse. Though a wonderful experience, getting a horse of 
your own usually works out better when you have had some 
experience with horses, and have worked with an instructor 
who can help you find the right horse.  Otherwise, you can 
easily run into a whole mess of problems you didn't know to 
look out for, like:
 
   "It would be nice for our child to have a pony, just like 
he/she had always wanted.  Just think what an adorable thing 
that would be to watch them having so much fun together...and 
after all, ponies are small, so how much trouble can they be?"

       If the child doesn't take lessons before getting a 
horse, then they might turn out to be afraid or lose interest 
fast. Then the horse might stand in a stall at a boarding 
stable with no one to care for it. 

       Worse yet, if the family doesn't have much experience 
with horses, and decides to keep the pony at home, they are 
putting the pony at great risk. Horses are not dogs.  They 
can die from colic if fed improperly, and run into a number 
of hazards that don't apply to dogs.  Besides, the child might 
not be quite as horse crazy after awhile, and lose interest 
or realize they're afraid.  Also, the child can't deal with 
horses properly until they've had plenty of lessons.  Taking 
lessons is lots of fun and beneficial too, so why not do it?

     To find a good instructor, you could attend a local 4-H 
horse meeting and ask around, look in the phone book and call 
stables to find out if they give lessons. To find the place &
time of a horse 4-H meeting near you, you should call your
extension office.  If there's a Pony Club near you, that 
would be another good place to go.  However, Pony Club isn't 
everywhere, & there is a horse 4-H in virtually every county.

 It is best to watch the instructor give a lesson first if 
possible, but not absolutely necessary. You could arrange for
a farm visit, when you will see the facilities, the horse your 
child would be working with, and let he/she get aquainted with 
it. (Some places give group lessons or private ones.)

    A helmet should be worn during riding, which can be 
purchased at a local feed of tack store.  Bicycle helmets have 
been proven to be inefficient in protecting the head from types
of horse-related injury.  Boots MUST be worn, NEVER sneakers or 
tenner shoes, which can be subject to getting stuck in the 
stirrup, and you do not want to be dragged I am sure.  If you 
really want to be protective, get tapaderos on your stirrups
(a leather covering that keeps the foot from sliding too far 
through).  Falling happens; just make sure you do it right.


    When the moment comes to find your horse, you will be more 
able and ready to find the perfect one, with the help of your 
trusty instructor.  They can help you sort through the ones 
that aren't right for you, right now, and find you a healthy, 
docile horse you'll get along with great.


    In general, some breeds like the Arab and Thoroughbred are
known to be more wound up, and others are known to be calmer, 
like the Quarter horse.  For all you TB owners out there, I 
know this is not always the case.  All horses are different.  
But since your first horse might come after you have had 
little experience, find a docile, easy going, mellowed out 
horse that will take your mistakes in stride.  Don't get a 
young or green horse in hopes that you will learn together-it 
just doesn't work like that, and one of you could get hurt. 
And until you've had years upon years of experience, always 
bring your trusted, experienced, qualified instructor to help 
you decide what horse is right for you!

    Make sure you get a vet check for that horse.  Some sneaky 
owners will try to disguise a lame horse as sound; others drug 
a high-strung equine to make it appear calm.  Trust me, it 
happens ALOT!! Don't let them get the best of you.  

  That being said, horses are a very rewarding hobby.  As 
long as help is readily available for those difficult and 
frustrating times, you will be able to much more quickly get 
over your frustration and avoid big mistakes.  Just ask lots 
of questions, be open to learning, be honest about your 
abilities, & be honest if you're afraid--we all are sometimes, 
and getting help from an instructor will help you get over 
it while being safe in the process.  After all, horses can read 
how we feel, and take advantage of it!  THAT being said, have 
fun with all your horsey adventures!