Paying a child to ride

[busymare]

My daughters pony has never been ridden off the lead rein and I have been looking for an experienced rider to see if she will make a first ridden. I saw a 12 yr old advertising this on Facebook. I would be paying her to do a job and she says she is insured through the pony club but if she was injured would I be liable? I have been totally honest about the pony etc. Anyone any experience of this??
Thanks

[kateanne0]

I would be very careful of any such advertisements from a 12 year old!

Check out Pony Club rules and insurance cover on their web site.

I believe, but I may be wrong, that no child of 12 can be legally employed to do a job.

[kayjayem]

She's not even legally old enough to be on Facebook to be honest, I would give her a wide berth

[busymare]

Thank you. I wanted it to be ok but feared it wasn't!

I remember riding ponies for people as a child but it's different when you are the adult!

[sjw87]

I agree with the above.

Also, a lot of the insurances being offered by being a member of a society don't cover the person if they are being paid so do check even with an adult that their insurance is sufficient for the situation.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[dancer]

Have you tried advertising for a small adult to ride?
When our LR jockey was out of the class my adult daughter got the pony going off the lead - you may be able to find a similar lightweight rider in your area.
Good luck.

[Toaster]

I don't see why you couldn't have a child to ride and give them the odd bit of pocket money keeping it away from being a formal arrangement

I wouldn't write this child off, plenty of us were enterprising in our younger years, I remember turning up age 9 to a job where someone wanted a stallion exercised, the people were kind and I hung around for a couple of years (unpaid of course as was normal back then) and it was literally the making of me horsey-wise and a time I really treasure

What I would do is ask the child to get a parent to contact you so you can ask about parental supervision etc, chances are the child was chancing their arm and would ride for free. The Pony Club membership is good and shows a little bit of commitment I think

I have two six year olds who ride my section A but both have horsey mums who come with them, its a great arrangement

[maxandpaddy]

My daughters ridden for others and received payment (pocket money) or lessons/items of show clothing instead (so a payment of kind) she has her own insurance as a rider and public liability so I dont really see the problem. Personally I think its best done as above with people you know rather than from a fb post, it gives you confidence when you know each other/the horse/pony background etc xxx

[justjay]

I have to have riders for my 11hh section A - I had a very keen - very capable rider then moved on to friend of rider - I used to give her some money as there were family problems and thought it would be nice for her - but then she stopped coming - I did find a super 18 year old on her gap year and would have paid her ANYTHING as she was brilliant - but she was extyremely reasonable - she transformed my pony
I have now given up trying to find child riders - they dont exist in Dorset - I ahve a small adult who will dressage her and I can show her in hand - waste of a very talented pony but a lot less stress for me
(and when looking for a rider I pay all show expenses - which in the past has inviolved paying for the WHOLE family to get into a County show - all show clothes provided if necessary - tuition and clinics paid for - they keep the rosettes not sure what else I could offer!!)
I usually check out FB and if all there are a posey pictures of an over made up under dressed person thats a no!