question about horse riding at FW

[barefootMom]

So my daughter will be 8 and 1/2 when we arrive at FW. She has been taking horse riding lessons for 2 years and really wants to do the horse riding (not the ponies) at FW when we are there. I know the age says they need to be 9 to do it. Should I just not tell them her age? She is very tall for her age so I know they would not question it but is there some major reason she should be 9? I assume having the experience would outweigh the 6 months in age she is lacking? thoughts?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Well, they don't ask you for a birth certificate or anything.

We made our each of our daughters wait until they were actually 9 before we let them do the horse ride. But, that was mainly because I am cheap, and was trying to put it off as long as possible

Let me warn you, though, that if your daughter is really into horses, even at 8 1/2, she will find this experience to be very lame. You will be taken out by a guide with a group of well trained, calm, bored (I would say near comatose) horses, who have each done this a million times. Your horse will walk slowwwwwly behind the horse in front of you along a designated path. I don't even think you need to hold on, as your horse will barely be moving for most of the ride.

Only one of my daughters ever took riding lessons, so the trail ride was a nice experience for the girls who had never ridden a real horse before.

When you get to the Fort, you might want to stop by the trail ride area and watch the folks going out and coming back. Your DD may decide that she would rather not experience this, and I'm sure that you could find a better place to spend your $$ at the Fort (like renting a golf cart or the HDDR).

TCD

 

[DaveInTN]

TCD is right. If your daughter is taking regular riding lessons back home, the trail ride at the Fort might not offer much excitement for the buck. For folks that don't get to ride ever it is a neat, albeit expensive, experience. As far as age, I think the age requirement has more to do with physical maturity, size and ability to control the horse than anything else. If your DD wants to ride and, based upon her riding experience and size, you feel she'd be fine, I would personally do it. Of course, that's just me. I like to flaunt the Disney age requirements whenever possible. I once snuck my 3 year old into the Crystal Palace and pretended she was 2. I'm quite the rebel, at least when it comes to saving a buck.

 

[Sammi2]

My dd will only be 7 when we are there, so I've been looking at other options. One place I found is called Horse World, and allows younger riders and also has more advanced rides for more experienced riders.

http://www.horseworldstables.com/