I just moved to Round Rock. My daughter enjoys riding horses/ponies. Is there a farm where we can rent a pony or that offers nice pony rides? Not the kind where the pony is attached to a ring, but where the parent leads the pony around. Also, thinking ahead, have any of you taken your children for riding lessons? What age would this be appropriate? Thanks!
Thank you all for the information. My daughter will be 4 in August, so I'll call the riding school about lessons in the fall. In Florida where we lived, the state parks had stables where you could go for pony rides and I took my daughter once/month, just so she would be comfortable around horses. The parent would lead the pony around the path for a short ride. However, we have family in Ohio who own Morgan horses, which are a smaller breed, and my daughter enjoys being led on them as well (English style tack).
I also live in Round Rock and have seen a place that has horse riding lessons on Gattis School Road just east of Gattis Elementary on the north side of the road. Kind of can't miss it...looks like a small ranch.
L. at Takotas Ponies in Georgetown lets you lead her around a couple acres on a pony. $10 for as long as you like. Definately not a lesson of any sort though. She has many ponies and does parties and events, but lets people ride during the week.
Paul Cates stables only starts lessons at 4 yrs. old. I've called for my 3 yr. old. I had her started at just under 2 and a half yrs. old at Rocking B Stables (in Pflugerville) by a woman who gave lessons on her own horse. However, she's now moving her horse and so now I'm also looking for a new place to take my daughter also.
Not sure of any pony ride places, but I give occasional horsemanship lessons using my own two horses. I think when it comes to proper age for lessons, it will depend on the child and their attention span. When it comes to horses or ponies, either can injure a child easily if the child isn't paying attention or not listening. The youngest child I've given lessons to was 6 years old.
That said, I have a 3 month old daughter and I can't wait much longer to get on my horse with her in front (she has excellent head control and I trust my 19 year old horse implicitly since I raised her).
You might try Paul Cates Stables on Gattis School Road. I used to take our 12 year old and she loved going (we are getting ready to move to SA, so we don't go anymore). I found his prices to be reasonable. I will say that if you are not looking for a place where your daughter is truly going to learn to ride, then this is not the place to take her. I have seen all ages of people there, from toddlers to very active adults. Your daughter will be taught to ride English style (the saddle without a pommel) and you will not be allowed into the ring to lead the horse. While his horses are VERY VERY gentle, he prefers to have one of his workers lead them. There are no ponies of which I am aware. Good luck!
