Conference noted::equitation

    In addition to whatever comments you get here, see Note 4.21 for a
    listing of topics with the BEGINNER keyword. Many of them will be of
    interest, I suspect.

Sue,

I would definitely recommend lessons. You didn't say what type 
of riding your daughter is interested in. I'm not familiar with 
Bobby's ranch but I would guess you rode western. There are many 
barns in the area but they're mostly english (hunt seat or 
dressage). Some places will let kids start out in private lessons 
until they have mastered basic navigation skills. Then they can 
move into group lessons which are generally cheaper. Make sure you 
visit the barn and watch at least part of a lesson before you 
decide on a place.  If your concerned about anything you see 
while at a barn you can always post a question here.

Check out notes 601 (english) and 591 (western) which contain 
pointers for lessons. Notes: 601.43, 601.51, 601.57, 591.40,
591.28 have information for barns in your area. Also does anybody 
know if Wetherbee farm in Boxboro is still giving lessons?

As far as working around the barn to pay for riding time, it's 
done quite a bit. However I would not recommend it for your 
daughter at this time. In my opinion she is too young and 
inexperienced to do this safely. At this point she needs a 
lot of supervision. Working around and riding horses can be 
VERY dangerous and safety should be your main concern when 
picking out a barn. I say this because it sounds like you are 
not a horse person yourself and I've seen too many non-horsey 
parents let their kids do crazy things because they didn't know 
any better. 

Good-luck,

diane

	I would agree with stables being dangerous places. My ten year old
	has been up at the stables every weekend for about a year and a 
	half.

	She broke her leg three weeks ago, while holding a foal. The foal
	started to act up, she panicked and started to run, and the foal
	and her got tangled up, resulting in a break below the knee. 
	
	It hasn't put her off horses, but it'll maybe make her take being
	around them more seriously.

    
    Lessons over trail rides is a must!  Any person/child just starting
    out around horses, need to know how to ride and how to handle them
    selves around horses.  Yes, horses are cute friendly fuzzie animals
    that kids want to hug and squeeze, but they are animals and sometimes
    very unpredictable.
    
    Lessons are more expenisve, but worth it - she will learn more then
    just how to stay on a horse.
    
    what kind of riding does she want to do?  I live in Hudson and I know
    of quite a few places she could go.
    
    Louisa

    I take lessons at Red Acre Farm in Stow (Kathy and Mitch Steege).
    Kathy is wonderful with kids - there are alot of young kids that
    come from a good distance just to take lessons with her.  She offers
    group lessons (2-3 per group) for $22 per hour.  She teaches English.
    
    She is very patient, and never pushes her students further than they
    wish to go, and the horses and ponies are friendly and very well
    cared for.  I would definitely look into this for your daughter.
    
    They also run a summer camp (don't have any details on that).
    
    
    If you have any other questions, give me a call - 276-9883.
    
    Gail

    
    	Pam Moore teaches mainly children/beginners in Boylston, off of
    	rts 140 and 290. Her lessons are $10 half hour, private. She is
    	currently running 'pony camp' at $150 a week. Her number is 
    	508-869-2122. 
    
    	Write to me if you want any more info...
    
    	Sherry

    
    I agree with taking lessons first.  I would never survive my trail 
    rides if didn't learn the important aspects before heading out there.  
    I take so much from my lesson out onto the trails, and it really does 
    pay off!!
    
    Have her do some lessons and learn the proper horse care, and how to
    tack up and to be comfortable around the horse.  The lessons should
    include this kind of information.
    
    I take lessons from Deb Baldelli at Maplewood and I see her with the
    young kids she teaches. She usually starts them out on a lunge line.
    
    Mary
    

    
    Well, we took the plunge.  I just called Pam Moore in Boylston and
    scheduled 1/2 hour private lessons for BOTH of my daughters starting
    on Monday (thanks for the lead Sherry).  She teaches English, and 
    though the kids expressed interest in Western I was informed that
    this may be better because it teaches more about balance.  I do
    suspect that neither of my girls realizes the work involved in riding.
    
    Thanks to everybody who responsed to my original plea for advice.  I
    will keep you posted on how things go.
    
    /Sue

    
    Good luck! :-)