Little Girl Lost (Not actually lost, just needing some help)

NoniMe · 08-21-2007, 03:33 PM

My best friend on this planet has a daughter, who has a horse (actually 2). Matter of fact, this man and his daughter is the reason I got Tango - I rode her Sundance and decided I needed a horse. LOL.

Over this last weekend, I was lucky enough to spend some time with her and her horse. She wants desperately to understand how to ride (she wants to jump...she is a very long way from that...but she'll get there). There is no money for lessons, and there is no trainer near enough to come to her even if there was the money for it.

I spent some time with her showing her the proper way to bit up her horse (it is NOT standing in front of Sundance shoving the bit into her mouth...). I worked a bit on poll pressure/release with both the girl and her horse. I did some basic ground work stuff (back up, lunge lining [the horse does NOT get lunge lining at all - considers it a long lead rope]), and so on.

We worked on being gentle and not getting mad, on understanding things from the horse's perspective, and on how to not yank the reins but to use more leg and seat cues. We did a short lesson on outside leg/inside rein, and she picked that up pretty quickly - we were navigating the cow pies pretty well by the end (I was on the lead rope). I taught her as much as I could remember, and as much as she could understand...and she's a quick study.

I promised this dear child that I'd find some books written on how to train the horse, and how to ride better. I don't know of any that are written with a child in mind. She's got the heart and the brain to understand some of the more advanced ideas (pressure/release and prey/predator), but she is still 10 years old.

So does anyone have any ideas to share on what to buy and send out to her? She will be teaching herself, with clarification with me when needed via email and telephone. Videos/DVDs would be good, too...anything that will help her get a bit better slowly but surely would be welcome.

Thanks!

Best-
Noni

RealFolkBlue · 08-21-2007, 03:40 PM

There is a book out there that is called Happy Horsmanship by Dorothy Henderson. It is a really good book. Tells and talks about things like grooming and riding from the horses point of view. Its easy to understand as well cause its a childs book.

here is a link to show you what the book looks like
http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Horseman.../dp/0684852152

roberts617 · 08-21-2007, 03:40 PM

I'm not sure of any videos, but I have seen several good books at hastings. They were very well written for children and I plan on getting a couple but just haven't yet since my babies were still so young. If she were up to reading about it I think they would be very helpful!

**Diamond_Y** · 08-21-2007, 03:46 PM

Noni, is there a 4-H group near her? My cousins grew up in 4-H in Illinois and they had a terrific program. Much better than the one I had in Arkansas.

ali_acres · 08-21-2007, 03:47 PM

I would second the Happy Horsemanship book, I had it as a kid and loved it. Also consider the beginner Pony Club Manual for the D Level Rider. Just getting back into horses, I picked up the Pony Club C manual and found great information (lots that I had forgotten too) on tacking, health, nutrition, progressive ground and mounted exercises, all with easy to understand cartoon drawings. After slogging through german translated dressage books (still don't understand the "schwung") the pony club manual was a relief.

AlbertaGirl · 08-21-2007, 04:03 PM

Horses (or Horseback Riding) For Dummies? lol. Kind of kidding, but thought it may have some easy-to-understand explainations. I think I recall seeing something at the library, could you suggest they check there? If they find a suitable book, they could go buy their own copy to keep for reference.

Doesn't it feel nice to be able to help someone else with their horse Noni?

Shows how far you've come, hey?! (BTW - the title of the thread sure got my attention, I was thinking someone's little girl had gone missing

)

instigatorkate · 08-21-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ali_acres

I would second the Happy Horsemanship book, I had it as a kid and loved it. Also consider the beginner Pony Club Manual for the D Level Rider. Just getting back into horses, I picked up the Pony Club C manual and found great information (lots that I had forgotten too) on tacking, health, nutrition, progressive ground and mounted exercises, all with easy to understand cartoon drawings.

I'll second this, it was exactly what I was going to say! Theres also plenty of "so you want a pony" books that are half decent, but HH and the pony club manuals are the gold standard.

Dare I say if you have time to look through youtube you could find videos of other kids riding and working on basic problems and forward the links to her. The more she sees it the more she'll understand.

ETA:
Here's one I found quickly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqgbuy-CuwA

NoniMe · 08-21-2007, 06:27 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I will look into those ASAP. I don't know if she has the ability to do 4-H at the moment, but I'll suggest that to her mother. That was a thought I'd had, but since she's home schooled and on the farm all the time, I am just not quite sure how that would work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbertaGirl

Doesn't it feel nice to be able to help someone else with their horse Noni?

Shows how far you've come, hey?! (BTW - the title of the thread sure got my attention, I was thinking someone's little girl had gone missing

)

Soory, didn't mean to scare anyone...just wanted to get your attention...

You know, it does feel good to be able to not just tell her, but show her, too, about things. I was standing there, thinking that, while hanging the halter over the other horse's ears to show the little girl how to start desensitizing Bess to the halter (Bess is the other horse, way too big yet to ride). I was, to be honest, surprised at how much I could teach her, just from my own experience; especially about being gentle and quiet.

We had a long talk about the steps it will take before she's ready to jump; she wants to jump now, and neither she nor her pony Sundance is anywhere near ready. Bless her little girl's heart, all she wants to do is be the best right now...you know? So we talked about starting at the beginning, and not starting at the end...

Before I left, she came to me. Sat me down, and said "I know I'm starting at the end, but when do you think I'll be ready to jump?" so I outlined what I thought she'd need to have accomplished before she could successfully jump...one clear command with immediate response with no yanking on the reins, a partnership with the horse (all ground work done), being able to post the trot and to really handle the canter without being scared...and no losing temper or getting frustrated for an entire month. She looked at me, said, "well, that's going to be hard, but I think I can do it. Maybe next summer you can come out and teach me how to jump." I told her I'd be happy to. 'Course, that means I have to get better, too...

She has a book on dressage and some video, and asked me how the horse knew what to do when, did they listen to the music and just remember? I told her it was a long, long road, with the same horse, to learn how to respond to bottom cues and foot cues, and she said "really? But they don't move their bodies at all!" so she's now looking for the tiniest motions.

She wants it all...so I promised I'd find some books and stuff for her...and figured, like usual, I'd come here and get some great advice and help. Thanks.

Best-
Noni

Carri · 08-21-2007, 06:39 PM

The best book that I have found, and we own quite a few, is Riding for Kids by Julie Richter. It is english riding based. There is also a really good book not specifically geared for kids, but is still entertaining and useful and an easy read, called Getting the Most from you Riding Lessons. Even if you are not taking lessons, it is very good and it walks you step by step through everything, from walk, trot, canter, to jumping properly.

Maybe wait to get her that one, she might jump right into the jumping chapter!
How old is she?

instigatorkate · 08-21-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carri

There is also a really good book not specifically geared for kids, but is still entertaining and useful and an easy read, called Getting the Most from you Riding Lessons.

HeeHee. That's my riding instructor on the cover with her old horse Imperator!!

Carri · 08-21-2007, 06:49 PM

Really! I love that book! It really helps explain some of the "read it between the lines" things that instructors think everyone knows, because they have said it so many times...

AlbertaGirl · 08-21-2007, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carri

How old is she?

She's 10

barnmom · 08-21-2007, 07:16 PM

Those books are great, but ontop of that spend LOTS of time with her horse, my daughter started training her first horse at 10, and she would spend every available moment with him, not always working but she would just go sit with him, walk around the pasture with him, getting him to follow her and just making a bond...some things will just come naturally, but making a friend first and foremost makes a great partnership.

Tell her we wish her all the best in her future with horses!

Lori and Nicole

08-21-2007, 03:33 PM
NoniMe Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,238	Little Girl Lost (Not actually lost, just needing some help) My best friend on this planet has a daughter, who has a horse (actually 2). Matter of fact, this man and his daughter is the reason I got Tango - I rode her Sundance and decided I needed a horse. LOL. Over this last weekend, I was lucky enough to spend some time with her and her horse. She wants desperately to understand how to ride (she wants to jump...she is a very long way from that...but she'll get there). There is no money for lessons, and there is no trainer near enough to come to her even if there was the money for it. I spent some time with her showing her the proper way to bit up her horse (it is NOT standing in front of Sundance shoving the bit into her mouth...). I worked a bit on poll pressure/release with both the girl and her horse. I did some basic ground work stuff (back up, lunge lining [the horse does NOT get lunge lining at all - considers it a long lead rope]), and so on. We worked on being gentle and not getting mad, on understanding things from the horse's perspective, and on how to not yank the reins but to use more leg and seat cues. We did a short lesson on outside leg/inside rein, and she picked that up pretty quickly - we were navigating the cow pies pretty well by the end (I was on the lead rope). I taught her as much as I could remember, and as much as she could understand...and she's a quick study. I promised this dear child that I'd find some books written on how to train the horse, and how to ride better. I don't know of any that are written with a child in mind. She's got the heart and the brain to understand some of the more advanced ideas (pressure/release and prey/predator), but she is still 10 years old. So does anyone have any ideas to share on what to buy and send out to her? She will be teaching herself, with clarification with me when needed via email and telephone. Videos/DVDs would be good, too...anything that will help her get a bit better slowly but surely would be welcome. Thanks! Best- Noni __________________ "His name is Tango," said I. The wee boy, in his childish lisp, replied "no, his name is Bongo Mountain." Last edited by NoniMe : 08-21-2007 at 06:27 PM.

08-21-2007, 03:40 PM
RealFolkBlue Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: B.G OH Posts: 758	There is a book out there that is called Happy Horsmanship by Dorothy Henderson. It is a really good book. Tells and talks about things like grooming and riding from the horses point of view. Its easy to understand as well cause its a childs book. here is a link to show you what the book looks like http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Horseman.../dp/0684852152 Last edited by RealFolkBlue : 08-21-2007 at 03:45 PM. Reason: add link

08-21-2007, 03:40 PM
roberts617 Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 5,151	I'm not sure of any videos, but I have seen several good books at hastings. They were very well written for children and I plan on getting a couple but just haven't yet since my babies were still so young. If she were up to reading about it I think they would be very helpful! __________________ He who never made a mistake never made a discovery! Samuel Smiles

08-21-2007, 03:46 PM
Diamond_Y Administrator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,796	Noni, is there a 4-H group near her? My cousins grew up in 4-H in Illinois and they had a terrific program. Much better than the one I had in Arkansas. __________________ Diamond Y Quarter Horses - Breeders of Quality Foundation Quarter Horses Home of King of Cooke County, 2004 Perlino son of Cooke County ETC

08-21-2007, 03:47 PM
ali_acres Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 92	I would second the Happy Horsemanship book, I had it as a kid and loved it. Also consider the beginner Pony Club Manual for the D Level Rider. Just getting back into horses, I picked up the Pony Club C manual and found great information (lots that I had forgotten too) on tacking, health, nutrition, progressive ground and mounted exercises, all with easy to understand cartoon drawings. After slogging through german translated dressage books (still don't understand the "schwung") the pony club manual was a relief.

08-21-2007, 04:03 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,431	Horses (or Horseback Riding) For Dummies? lol. Kind of kidding, but thought it may have some easy-to-understand explainations. I think I recall seeing something at the library, could you suggest they check there? If they find a suitable book, they could go buy their own copy to keep for reference. Doesn't it feel nice to be able to help someone else with their horse Noni? Shows how far you've come, hey?! (BTW - the title of the thread sure got my attention, I was thinking someone's little girl had gone missing ) __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

08-21-2007, 06:39 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,604	The best book that I have found, and we own quite a few, is Riding for Kids by Julie Richter. It is english riding based. There is also a really good book not specifically geared for kids, but is still entertaining and useful and an easy read, called Getting the Most from you Riding Lessons. Even if you are not taking lessons, it is very good and it walks you step by step through everything, from walk, trot, canter, to jumping properly. Maybe wait to get her that one, she might jump right into the jumping chapter! How old is she? __________________

08-21-2007, 06:49 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 10,604	Really! I love that book! It really helps explain some of the "read it between the lines" things that instructors think everyone knows, because they have said it so many times... __________________

08-21-2007, 07:16 PM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,876	Those books are great, but ontop of that spend LOTS of time with her horse, my daughter started training her first horse at 10, and she would spend every available moment with him, not always working but she would just go sit with him, walk around the pasture with him, getting him to follow her and just making a bond...some things will just come naturally, but making a friend first and foremost makes a great partnership. Tell her we wish her all the best in her future with horses! Lori and Nicole __________________ Remember to thank the horses for the happiness and joy we experience through them! It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice!