Question about Horseback riding

[kerry34]

When we are at FW, my 12 yr old wants to do the guided trail ride on the horse. I really have no desire to do this. Can anyone tell me if this is something that a 12 yr old can do alone, or would I be able to walk along the path. It says in the books nobody under the age of 9 is permitted to ride, but that is all I could find. If anybody has any experience with this any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[bianca]

Your 12 yo. will be fine. You are not allowed to walk alongside the horse with her. The ride is very structured, slow and brief. The horses there all "know the ropes" and behave pretty well. The only horse that has every given our crew any "problems" was Sherman. I don't even know if he is there any more, but they assigned him to dh ..... Sherman had a fondness for stopping without cause. They assign horses with a definite system in mind. The easier, smaller horses go to the smaller people. This has been our experience, and my daughter first went when she was 9. Don't worry ...... she'll love the independence!

 

[kerry34]

Thank you so much for the info. I feel better now about her doing it by herself!! I know she will love it!

 

[mrskti]

She will definately be fine. I took my niece and nephew in August and it was a very sedate ride! I was pretty bored but the kids loved it and that's what counts! They have helmets for whoever wants them (rented of course). My nephew had never riden and he did great. I think the ride was like 45 minutes long.

 

[kerry34]

Well that is good to know. My daughter has riden a couple of times so I know she is somewhat comfortable around horses. It is nice to know that I don't have to worry about it though.

 

[LMC]

With risk of injury from an unpredictable animal, I am sure that disney has very controlled horses. I own horses and some are more "tame" than others. My special needs son loves to ride but I would never let him ride one of our horses on his own. He rides his cousins horse that I describe as "bomb proof" (meaning a bomb could go off under him and he wouldn't move!). If disney permits children to go w/o a parent I am sure everything will be fine. I hope she has fun.