Selena and Radar ~ Good Lesson Horse and Good Balance

This is Selena and Radar during a riding lesson. Selena wrote to us that Radar is her favorite lesson horse because he has the most energy. She also likes that he is funny and kind at the same time, and says he can trick her, but also follows the rules.


The best lesson horses for young or beginner riders aren't the smallest ones. You can see in the photo that Radar is a good size. The qualities that make a good lesson horse or pony are the same that make the best school teachers. They must be patient and kind, forgiving and intelligent, but most of all, they must love their job.

Radar certainly has the right temperament for being a lesson horse. He looks calm, patient and interested in his job. The best lesson horse and ponies aren't necessarily the cute, fat ponies with the fluffy mane and large eyes. They are the ones who love to teach.


This photo shows a nice example of the leg position for a young rider. Selena's stirrups are a little shorter than they will be when she has ridden more years, but if you look carefully you can see that her knee is directly over the tip of her toes. When you are learning to ride, you are learning about balance. Sometimes people think they have to grip tightly to hold on, but Selena's position shows you that isn't true. You stay on the horse because you are balanced correctly, not because you are strong.

* Can you tell us what the most common way is for a person to get hurt by a horse?