Being the parents of "horse crazy" kids can be a challenge, especially if you have no prior experience with equines. You probably have a lot of questions--and some anxiety.

This section of Discover Horses is especially for you, so that you can, well, discover horses with your child. You're likely to find that the kid-parent bond grows along with the equine-child bond. 

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NRHyA Awards Varsity Reining Club Scholarships 2011 Recipients Named

The National Reining Horse Youth Association offers members an online program that rewards youth for leadership and community service activities outside of the show arena. The Varsity Reining Club (VRC) provides scholarships totaling $5,000, to be awarded to the most active participants in two age groups.

Dressage for Children

What's the best way to introduce childen to dressage? Dressage coach and clinician Deborah Lockemeyer explains how the equitation pyramid in the USDF Training Manual can be a guide for the young rider's development.

Webinar: Parenting Tips at the Horse Show

Being a horse show parent is challenging, but rewarding. Learn how to handle competition, be a positive influence and support a child’s learning in the free My Horse University webinar recorded May 18, 2010.

Many Youth Activities Planned for QuarterFest 2010

April 21, 2010--Unveiling of a new Breyer model horse, fun youth activities and first-time rides on an American Quarter Horse are just a few of the QuarterFest activities scheduled for kids.

Kids' Zone in Equine Village to Host Family-Friendly Activities

April 12, 2010--The Kids Zone is a special and exciting interactive area designed for fun and education for all ages. Children and adults alike will be able to braid a horse’s tail and dig for bones. They will also meet SEMORE and QUATTRO, life sized horse models created to educated children the anatomy of the horse.

Youth Scholarships: RHSF Will Honor Leadership and Achievement Within NRHyA

April 12, 2010--The Reining Horse Sports Foundation (RHSF) is committed to providing leadership and scholarship opportunities to its youth members. At this time, RHSF is offering $10,500 in academic and need-based scholarships for seven youth members.

Alltech Launches Program To Inspire Lexington Area Elementary Students

March 11, 2010--With the launch of the Alltech Creative Scholars Program, one in 25 students from each public elementary school in Fayette, Woodford, Scott and Jessamine Counties (near Lexington) will be eligible to receive a free general admission ticket to the World Equestrian Games.

Realizing Dreams

With the support of the Youth World Show Assistance Fund, AQHYA members are able to see their dreams become a reality.In the past four years, With the assistance of this program, 240 have received financial support enabling them to travel, attend and compete in the Built Ford Tough Youth World Championship Show.

How to Make Dressage Fun for Kids

To interest young riders in dressage, think outside the box.

Why Horses Are Great For Kids

Horses make wonderful childhood companions. Children are naturally attracted to them, and that makes horses a desirable alternative to TV-watching, Internet-surfing, or just "hanging out." Horseback riding also puts children in touch with nature, and can be enjoyed alone or in groups.

Safety Rules for Kids Around Horses

Worried about keeping small children safe around the barn? Here's a comprehensive set of safety rules for handling and riding horses, especially slanted for kids.

Horse Ambassadors - Generating Goodwill with Kids Through Horses

The American Youth Horse Council emphasizes working with kids through horses.There are so many opportunities that can create a positive experience for kids with horses. The real trick is to stay open to acting on those opportunities, you still need to use your best judgment, but seize the moment.

Maximizing Your Child's Fun with Horses

Is your child horse-crazy? Writing for Horse&Rider magazine, Jennifer Forsberg Meyer shows how you can enhance the fun he or she has with horses by using your imagination and creativity.

Book Excerpt: Finding a Trainer for Your Child

This excerpt from the book The In-Gate: A Complete Guide for Novice Horse Show Parents is a valuable resource for anyone who's about to become a "horse show mom."

Choosing the Right Instructor for Your Child

The relationship between your child and riding instructor is one of the most important bonds he or she will develop outside the family. As with a child's early school teachers, the relationship will shape the child's whole attitude toward riding and the confidence he or she brings to the stable each day.

Selecting a Pony for Your Child

Ponies appeal to us all. Your local pony club is a good place to start searching. Here are four tips for selecting the right pony for your child, including where to find a reliable pony, evaluating ponies and more.

Your Role as Parent

Your responsibilities go beyond paying the bills and safeguarding your child. You can do a lot to enhance your child's equestrian experience. Learn how you can help the process along:

Starting a Youth Horse Club

So you have a group of horse loving kids and they want to start a club. Now what? Here are some basics for starting a new youth horse club and information on where to go to get more details.

Instilling Confidence in Young Riders

Each individual in the herd is either subordinate to or dominant over every other individual in the herd. Since this is the only way that horses know to act, it is also how they relate to their human herd members. We need to think of the horse and its rider as a herd of two.

How Today's Grandparents Impact Tomorrow's Horse Market

Americans--including those with horses--are becoming grandparents in unprecedented numbers. Here’s a look at a horse-market force with profoundly untapped potential.

Glossary of Equine Terms

Here is an alphabetized list of the most common horse terms the new rider should know.