Most children would have come into contact with a cat and a dog from a fairly young age but horses are seen as a lot bigger and scarier and sometimes a child will not have had any interaction with a horse when they are young making it scarier for them as an older child or grown up. Horses are not as common a pet as a cat or a dog and the chances of knowing someone with a horse are not that high so it might involve a journey to a farm or local stables to ensure your child is familiar with a variety of animals. Equally, it is really important for a horse to feel secure around children. Some horses have a highly nervous disposition and will not like children or will be very nervy around them which is why it is also good for a horse to be used to children from a young age if possible.

When introducing a horse to a child it is important to be really careful. Ensure the child is aware of what is happening and follows basic rules such as to not put their hand up to a horse’s mouth and to only feed a horse from a flat hand under adult supervision. Do not let your child run about near the horse and never let them walk behind a horse in case the horse kicks their legs out and accidently strikes them.

Take your child to a horse that will be okay around children, don’t make a potentially dangerous situation worse by introducing them to a nervy and jumpy horse. Equally do not take a child that you know will react badly, might hit out at an animal or screech at them making them jump.

If you have a good horse and a good child then there is a lot you can do to make the situation fun. They can help with various tasks such as cleaning out the stable, grooming the horse and helping make up feeds.  Children can follow instructions so would be able to make up feeds that include a few different types of horse food, horse supplements and if they are older they may be able to chop carrots to add to food. They key is make the situation fun and pleasant for both the horse and child and introduce them to each other at a young age so they grow up being familiar with them.