I think I need to convince my mom to let me ride?

don't be embarrassed! i live in kentucky, the horse capital of the world, and i've been riding since before i could reach the stirrups. now i'm going into barrel racing and am soon hopefully going to compete in the high school national rodeo. riding horses is the most wonderful thing in the world. tell your mom that horses are one of the most tame, domesticated animals, even if they do live in stalls. all she has to do is drop you off at the riding center, she doesn't have to interact with the horses. and no offense but is she serious about thinking that only little kids like horses?? that's an insult! :)) haha. riding is great. just convince her to see it your way. its better to start off riding when you are young anyway :) all best of luck!! i really hope you get to ride.

luv,

luv this cowgirl.

Don't be embarrassed for wanting to learn to ride! It's a wonderful outlet, and I've known plenty of adults who started in their late 20's, early 30's.

If it's a money issue, contact the riding center and see if it would be possible to offset some of the costs of riding lessons by doing barn chores before or after your lessons (it's good experience for any horseman anyway).

Lay out some of the facts for your Mom. I'm sure there are kids in your high school who are drinking/using drugs/ having underage sex. In light of that, you're presumably a good kid and you're looking for a healthy outlet for the pressures of high school. Riding is a good one. It's also a really good opportunity for you to develop teamwork skills, your patience and it's just plain good exercise (even if it doesn't look it). You'll learn kindness and empathy for other living things, and you'll probably make a lot of healthy friendships. There are also scholarships available for teens who are interested in and have been active riders. You can ride competitively in plenty of colleges across the country. There are also a lot of really great adult riding groups throughout the country. These are adults who have excellent career experience, and will be wonderful friends and career contacts.

Is it possible that she's just not aware that you're really serious about taking riding lessons? There's a big jump between watching a show on TV and wanting to take lessons yourself. If I were you, I would do all my research about the riding facility, call and ask questions, and then sit down and talk to her when you feel confident that you can answer any questions that she might have.

Remember, too, that it's very possible that she's afraid of horses and for your safety. A lot of people are. If that's the case, you need to talk to the riding facility, ask them what their beginner lessons are like. They should start you on a lunge line and on a horse that's very reliable, and they shouldn't take you off the line until you're very comfortable being cut loose.

Basically, sit down with her and try to have a mature conversation. You'll be best served if you can check your emotion at the door and speak calmly. Make sure she knows how much it means to you, and try to make your case as best you can. If she still says no, take heart, you can learn to ride at any age. That means if you have to wait until you're 18 and in college, you can do that. Like I said, I've known plenty of people who have started riding later in life. Are you going to be a competitive show-rider? Maybe not. But that's not what it sound like you want anyway.

Riding isnt a little kid thing haha! Just talk to her and tell her you really want to try this and show her some youtube videos of people riding and tell he that its a great way to keep your mind off of guys..haha j/k but tell he that you think your old enough to make this decision and that you want her to support you. If she doesnt agree just wait untill you can pay for it yourself and drive yourself. Trust me theres nothing better than the feeling you get when you bond with q horse or go over a jump or fly around the barrels. Just talk to her and tell her that you arnt her and you want to try something different!

Well it's important to tell her that you really know you want to make a commitment to riding. Boots helmets and other equipment are not super cheap. Horse back riding is a sport you will need to put a lot of time and commitment into (especially money!) just let her know you want to make that commitment.

And also horses are not just for little kids my friends who ride range from 9-27 any one can start at any age!

i've had this happen to me also. not with horses. but i mean my mom not letting me do anything. but if you like seriously talk to her and let her know how much this means to you, it might be a change, and she might let you do it. also, if it's your birthday or some holiday coming up you ask for horse riding lessons then. i know i'm only 13, but stuff like this happens to me alll the time, and i just get sick of it. so i just try really hard to make my parents to understand. hope i helped :)

Just ask her i have been riding since grade two. My dad never wanted me to have lessons cause i was obsessed with horses. And you shouldn't be embarrassed about something you enjoy or love. Just tell her it is something you enjoy watching and you would like an attempt at it.

good luck and just go ask her : )

i went through that with my parents and now i have my own horse

sit them down and have something you want to say prepared like how much things will cost, what you will need, and if only little girls like horses than obviously you must love them and your not going to stop.

tell them it teaches responsibility and caring for something else.

plus its a great work out and it will keep you in shape. and instead of out partying youll be at the barn riding....it keeps you out of trouble.

and really all youll need at first is a helmet and boots until you get serious and buy your own tack and different clothes and what not.

let them know your serious and you really want it, and sound as smart as you can

good luck!

You are a junior in high school? Should be old enough to get a job.

Then you can pay fr your own lessons - showing that responsibility parents always want to see and doing what you want - win, win, no dish washing involved.

i think you should tell her how you feel about it , it is a lot of fun but you do fall sometimes and if you do just get right back on don't give up ,

and rideing is not just for little kids , you will love it

Tell her kids with a hobby they love stay out of trouble :)

Seriously, it's true!