One of my passionate beliefs is that we must encourage our children to learn horsemanship skills, not just give them riding lessons. The answer in riding schools should not be the kick harder, use the whip more or yank the mouth, it should be to understand the pony.
Intelligent Horsemanship runs a free on-line club for the under 17s. Its aim is to encourage all pony loving children - owners, sharers or just those who ride once a month - to view their ponies as creatures with feelings and preferences, as creatures who react and perform better to understanding than pain.
For more information on IH Kids, click here to visit the website http://www.trainequus.co.uk/ihkindexframe.htm or email intelligentkids@hotmail.co.uk.
Nelly and Bracken practicing groundwork in harmony and understanding