How do I make my dad let me do horse-back riding?

ztimo: How do I make my dad let me do horse-back riding?
Hi, I really want to start horse-back riding and my mom is totally okay with it. But my dad doesn’t want let me do it all. It’s not about the money at all its just that my dad think it’s too dangerous. How do I convince my dad to think otherwise and let me?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Cece
make him take you to a stable, and the people there will be able to convince him that NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YOU. The most common accident among horses is getting stepped on, and it’s usually not anything serious.

Answer by beagles3600
Horses are dangerous. But, when you first start taking lessons the trainer will put on a very relaxed horse that you can handle. Then you will gradully get better and ride more experience horses and if under any sercumstances they horse will try to buck, by then you will have enough experience to control the horse. But if your dad is not ready for you to move to a more experienced horse you can just ride a starter horse untill he is ready for you to move up! Tell your dad you will have a helment on and even to take it to a higher extent of saftey you can even where a chest protector so if you fall off and the horse stepped on you the protecter will help protect your chest! GOOD LUCK!

Answer by helperwhoneedshelp
I have the same problem. But, my grandma asl osays yes. I say its 3 against 1, and my dad is hardly ever here anyways! But, he still says no. Right now I’m going to try to take him on a trail ride with a rented horse….so he can see they’re not dangerous. Maybe this might work for u too! Keep in touch!

-helperwhoneedshelp

P.S. The girl above is also right, horse CAN be dangerous, but a horse can tell whether or not you are tense….if ur tense…the horse is tense. Rentable horses are also easy handled. Good Luck…..any more questions (or to keep in touch!)
[email protected]

Answer by Sue F
First of all, a child cannot make a parent do anything. Your father is worried about you getting hurt, that is why he is saying that you cannot do horseback riding.

You may be able to ask him to go with you to the stable and watch the horses with some of the other riders so that he can see that you are interested and that you are willing to take some lessons in order to make him feel more comfortable.

Good luck and be careful. Horses are wonderful, but definitely can be dangerous if you are not confident and in control.

Answer by horselizzy
well, I have the same problem but I’m doing it for 6 years now already. my mom used to be crazy about horses and she kinda insisted me to ride but suddenly she decided it was too dangerous and so I had to give up taking lessons but I ride whenever I get a chance!
you should talk to your dad, take him to the stables, tell him how much you’d love to do this, prove him you’re talented,make him give you a chance to take a few lessons, maybe you don’t like it at all (which is for me impossible :-)) or, telly your mom to convince him, it helped me, I wanted a dog, convinced mom, then she convinced daddy! 🙂
good luck and if you need someone to talk about horses, I’m there for you!

Answer by Foxy’s cow girl
Tell him that of course there are risks but everything in life has a risk too. Driving, walking on the street, cooking etc, so, even if horse back riding seems dangerous, it’s really not if you are careful. Say that of course you’ll be wearing a helmet at all times and that the riding instructors knows what they are doing so they will make sure that nothing will happen to you.

I hope you can go ride! There’s nothing like it!

Answer by HorseLuver1993
Do not MAKE him take you. When I first wanted a horse, my mom was totally for it. But my dad didnt think that i needed one. I showed that i was responsible by going to my neightbors house everyday and feeding and watching over his. Then i secretly did research and found out all i could about them and i showed him the presentation. Ask him to take you and i would suggest the presentation. You sound like you like horses enough to stick with it. Good Luck!

Answer by Rachel
Tell hm that the place where you are going has really safe horses, and the trainers ride the horses out so the horses wont buck on you. Also, tell him that you wear helmets, and trainers are always there, so just in case something does happen, they’ll help you.

Answer by rsc
Point out to him you are more likely to get killed in a car accident, then you are to get hurt riding.

Ask to take a lesson at a reputable stable, and have your dad come to watch. If he sees you with a professional, on a quiet horse in a safe enviornment then he will most likely relax. He is prob. scared you will get hurt because he doesn’t understand how lessons work, a lot of people get the idea that horse riding is just galloping around on a horse like in the movies. Once he sees how riding is actually done he will feel more comfortable. Also wear a safety helmet every time you ride.

Answer by Anthony
Say
what should i do, take up horse back riding or start doing Drugs with the other kids that are Bitter towards their parents LOL

Answer by Jessie M
Well it is not the salfest sport in the world but ask him to help you find a really good barn that has a good instructer and great horses. make sure you are both connfterble and then aske to try a few lesson let him get use to the fact that they are big animals but that the lesson ponys are safe. If the first barn you go to does not work then agree to try another one. Eventually he will get use to it but research and get good info and ask do not tell. I hope all goes well

Answer by Jesus Freak
tell him you will wear a helmet, you will be very careful, you will start out slow and then work your way up. And the horse if very safe =]. My parents did let me take horseback riding lessons its a blast!!
Hope I Helped!

Answer by hwinnum
I’m sure your father will acknowledge that there is a degree of risk in everything we do. Even going to school or standing in front of your house is not completely safe. Try explaining that you want to take lessons to learn how to be safe around horses and that it is a great way to learn responsibility and keep you away from bad influences and out of trouble.
If you can convince him to look into the possibility of riding lessons – be sure the farm you visit is well managed. If he sees a place that doesn’t look organized or safe, you’ll only reinforce his notion that he’s right.

Answer by CedarledgeWIT07
Your dad is right: horses are dangerous. However, you can start by assuring him that you will always wear a helmet, proper riding boots, a safety vest, basically most anything short of wrapping yourself in pillows and packing peanuts.

Let him know that understand the dangers of horses. Tell him that you will not try anything you’re not ready for. Talk to some experienced riders/trainers. Talk to workers at the barn you’re taking lessons at and find out which horse you would begin on.

Convince him by showing him the bright side of riding. Let him know that it will strengthen your muscles. It will allow you to do something you enjoy. It will distract you from doing things like drinking and drugs. Tell him that it will allow you to make friends and boost your self confidence.

Then, get some numbers. Look up how dangerous driving is. Look up how dangerous traveling on an aircraft is. Look up how likely it is that someone could get caught in an elevator, electricuted on a socket, cut with a steak knife, etc. Those are all things that some people every day and yet we hardly think about them.

Do your research. Wow your father with facts about horses (how to groom them, how to tack them, what they eat, differences in disciplines, horse diseases, etc.). Show him that you are willing to learn about the animal not just ride around like a crazy little kid.

Finally, whatever you do: don’t whine. If he says no, it’s not a big deal. Casually bring it up in a week or two. Do not constantly try to talk about it or get frustrated when he says no. It took my parents two years before they finally gave in. Good luck!

Answer by pickleintelligence05
Do some research on your own, if you haven’t already. Find a stable in your area, with a good reputation. Talk to your mom, and see if the two of you can go check it out, talk to the instructor(s), and some of the other students, as well as maybe sticking around to watch some of a lesson. Get all the information you can from the instructor and students about the safety rules and required attire, the school horses (eg are they gentle? are they steady enough for a beginner?) as well as stable rules and cleanliness (how often do they clean the stalls, etc.) After the two of you are satisfied, sit down with your dad, all together and discuss it. Take him to the stable so he can talk to the instructor and students, and see for himself. Once he’s satisfied, maybe he’ll change his mind :o) Be patient, sometimes it takes time. It took my dad a whole year before he agreed!

Answer by Starlight 1
Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps your dad is saying no to you because of a bad personal experience with a horse? This is what happened to me with my stepdad- and it would have continued indefinitely had he not gone with me to some lessons and seen how careful the instructors were, not to mention that there were safety rules and procedures which were ALWAYS enforced. When my stepdad was a boy, his family had a horse named Billy that he used to have to ride back and forth to school. This horse was MEAN, and had a tendency to buck and bolt without warning. They finally sold the animal when my stepdad was in high school, but he remained afraid of horses for the rest of his life. He liked them okay, he just could never bring himself to get on a horse again after what he’d gone through as a child. I have to wonder from your letter if maybe your dad has had a similar experience- it sounds like it. Most people don’t go around saying horses are dangerous for no apparent reason unless they themselves have been hurt by one at some point. That was what happened to my stepdad, and the result was that he “lost his nerve”, which is something that can happen to anyone. Your dad wants to protect you from danger, or at least what he believes is dangerous. Rather than nagging him about taking lessons, try asking him to tell you WHY he thinks horses are dangerous- but do this in a gentle, non-threatening way, so that he doesn’t become upset or angry with you. Ask if there is a reason he’s concerned for your safety, and let him carry the conversation from there. If he wants to tell you what happened, great- otherwise, don’t pester him. Another tactic you can use is to ask him to go with you to be fitted for safety gear that you will use when you ride ( and I would make sure that I paid for that gear with my own money, if I were you- this will show your dad that you are serious about riding and are willing to take some responsiblity for your OWN safety) and to help you pick it out, etcetera. When you are at the tack store, he will get a chance to ask questions of the professionals there- and they can help reassure him that you will be safe when you ride. He may even meet someone he knows there, who may have a daughter the same age as you who rides, and he can ask questions of that person. Ask your dad to help you get the proper fit for pair of boots, a certified helmet, and perhaps even a body protector. At that point, when he’s a bit more comfortable, you can raise the issue of lessons again. You can point out some of the potential benefits you will gain by taking lessons, such as increased fitness, a chance to make friends with other girls who ride, and a chance to be involved in something that is a lot of fun. Invite him to come with you to your first lesson, and to stay and watch you ride. ( Try to make this first lesson a group lesson if possible, as this will mean that there are other parents around at the barn for your dad to talk to and ask questions of. ) If you are patient and take your time, you can overcome your dad’s resistance, which I think is probably based on a bad experience that he may have had. Good luck, and I hope this helps you.

Answer by Ally N
Well Honey, I have been around many horses in my life time and i suggest that you should try to begg your dad and tell him that its ok! It isn’t dangerous unless you want to jump! is that what you want to do?

Answer by equestrian forever
It was the other way around with my parents, my mom thought it was dangerous and my dad was ok with it. You need to read up on horses and show that you know how to handle and care for one safely. Then they will see you will be a safe rider. Good luck!

Answer by xxtorturedinnocentsxx
First of all, I can understand where your dad is coming from when he tells you that he is concerned for your safety. I have been riding all my life, and it doesn’t matter how good you are at it, every time you get on you risk taking a fall and getting hurt.

One thing that would probably make your dad feel better is if you and your mom were to take a day to visit as many local stables as you can. Take some time to talk to the owners, and to get to know some of the horse that they keep there. Also, find out if they offer riding lessons for beginners.

These lessons will teach you how to care for a horse, and they will even teach you “how” to fall when you do. Also, most stables require their students to wear riding helmets and protective vests when they ride to help protect them if they do fall.

Then its time for you and your mom to sit down and have a talk with your dad. Tell him about whatever stable you have picked, tell him about the horses, and tell him that you will take lessons and be supervised by an experienced horseman when you ride. I am sure that will make him feel much better.

If its possible, even try taking him to the stable with you. That way he can see for himself what the place is like, and he can meet the owner as well. You could even try having him watch a lesson with you so that he can see how they are done.

Also, let him know that most stables have horses that are ONLY used for lessons and nothing else, and that these horses are usually older horses that have been everywhere and done everything that there is to do. They are calm and quite old horses that are most often retired show horses. Most of them are also experienced with kids who are taking lessons for the first time, and they have worked with kids with disabilities or other special needs.