We all remember our first pet, no matter what type of animal it was. For me, it was a dog named Henry, who my parents had adopted before I was born. He seemed to accept me as his little sister with zero speed bumps, and by the time I was a toddler, he was letting me dress him up for a wedding (ours, of course) — and we have the pictures in the family photo album to prove it. There's something really special about a dog (or any other animal) who will give that kind of tolerance to a small child.
But some children end up with a less... traditional type of first pet, like the little girl in this video. You're never too young to become a horse girl, in my opinion, and it seems like this kiddo knows it!
Mom Ericka Ring took to Instagram to share an important moment in her family: The day that her 3-year-old daughter, Cassie, met her very first pony, whose name is Polka Dot. And if this footage is any indication, she was very excited.
The two seemed to hit it off as soon as Polka Dot arrived. Cassie squealed when she saw her new friend and ran over to take the reigns herself. We love a girl who takes initiative!
She was happy to show her horse all around her new home, and Polka Dot seemed to be happy to be taken under her wing. Anyone who's spent time around horses will tell you that not all horses are a fit for all humans, but in this case? It seems like this pairing was totally meant to be.
It definitely helps that Cassie has grown up around animals, including horses, so she was already comfortable around them before Polka Dot's big arrival.
How to Introduce a Young Child to Horseback Riding
If your child is super into horses and ponies and is toddler or preschool age like Cassie but didn't grow up around horses the way she did, it's hard to know the right way to introduce them, especially if they're interested in riding.
One stable recommends getting started by taking your child to petting zoos and places that offer pony rides so that they can spend some time getting up close and personal with the animals. Here, they can try riding, petting, and brushing ponies in a low key setting with animals who are used to interacting with kids. It's all about baby steps!
If they've made a few visits and are still in love, you can start by offering them horseback riding lessons. Find a stable near you that offers them (some will start with classes for kids as young as two or three) and give it a shot. Who knows? It could open up the door to a lifelong passion for them.
Horses can be an amazing companion, and learning to ride is a great way to stay active — not to mention the fact that it's also a lot of fun.
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