There’s nothing quite like seeing your child’s face light up when they meet their first pony. At Pony Gang Riding Academy in Columbia, SC, our Tiny Tot Pony Adventures program is designed especially for children ages 2.5–5, giving them a gentle, fun, and safe introduction to the world of horses.
This isn’t a formal riding lesson — it’s a pony ride experience combined with hands-on pony care. Young riders get to connect with their pony, take part in grooming and tacking, and then enjoy a relaxed walk in the saddle filled with simple games and plenty of smiles. Our goal is to create happy barn memories that spark a lifelong love of horses.
Each 30-minute session is carefully paced to match the attention span and abilities of our youngest riders. All activities are led by our patient instructors and friendly, well-trained ponies. Here’s how a typical session flows:
Grooming and Pony Connection (5–8 minutes)
Children meet “their” pony for the day, learn its name, and help with basic grooming. Brushing the pony’s mane or patting its neck builds comfort and trust. We keep this part light and fun, with the occasional “glitter hoof polish day” or ribbon in the mane.
Tacking and Leading (5–7 minutes)
With gentle guidance, children help get their pony ready to ride. They may place the saddle pad, hold the bridle, or lead the pony with the instructor’s support — building confidence through hands-on interaction.
Pony Ride with Games (15–20 minutes)
Once mounted, the adventure begins! All rides are walk-only, with the pony led by the instructor. We weave in playful activities like Red Light, Green Light, cone weaving, “magic castle” rides, beanbag balance games, and even ring toss challenges.
Our program is perfect for families looking for pony rides in Columbia, SC or a gentle first step into horseback riding for toddlers. Parents love that their child is learning new skills in a safe, supportive setting while also having fun.
Benefits for your child include:
- Building trust and comfort around animals
- Developing balance and coordination in the saddle
- Learning responsibility through pony care
- Boosting confidence through small achievements
Because our Young Riders Program starts at age 6, Tiny Tot Pony Adventures is the ideal lead-in for young horse lovers. It keeps things playful and engaging now, while laying the groundwork for more structured riding lessons when they’re ready.
Horsemanship Skills include:
Safety requirements around Ponies
Petting Ponies
Feeding Treats
Grooming
Putting on Halters
Leading Ponies
Tacking up a Pony
Riding Skills include:
Mounting & Dismounting a Pony
Balance Games
Riding in a Saddle
Riding Bareback
Being Led at a Walk
Proper Riding position
Riding in Motion without holding on
Give your child the gift of their first pony ride and barn experience.
Our Tiny Tot Pony Adventures are a magical way to start a lifelong journey with horses — one smile, brushstroke, and pony ride at a time.
Our Tiny Tot Pony Adventure lessons program can be booked bi-weekly or weekly lessons, that are always last 30 minutes in total. Tiny Tot spends at least
15 - 20 min on horseback - learning playful and age appropriated how to sit and move with the horse.
- Scheduled on monthly base
- 1:1 child/trainer ratio
- Parent must be present for the entire lesson but doesn't needs to participate.
- You receive 1 lesson bi-weekly (2 lessons a month) or 1 lesson week (4 lessons a month)
- all lessons are 30 Minute long
$ 45 a Lesson
(paid as monthly tuition=$90
NEW CLASSES starting in September!
When classes are filled - we can add you to a waitlist
$ 45 a lesson
(paid as monthly tuition = $180)
NEW CLASSES starting in September!
When classes are filled - we can add you to a waitlist
Remaining Dates for 2025
Week A:
Tuesday Lessons
Friday's at 11:00 AM & 3:45pm
November 15, 2024
December 6, 2024
December 20, 2024 (Christmas Special - $40*)
January 17, 2025
February 14, 2025 (Valentines Special - $40*)
March 7, 2025
April 18, 2025 (Easter Special - $40*)
May 9, 2025
*On our Special Events each child will receive a little gift bag
Horseback riding can offer several benefits for young children when done in a safe and age-appropriate manner. Here are some reasons why horseback riding can be good for your child:
Physical development: Riding a horse requires balance, coordination, and muscle strength, which can help young children develop their gross motor skills. It also helps improve posture and core strength as they learn to sit up straight and engage their muscles while riding.
Sensory stimulation: Interacting with horses provides sensory experiences for young children. They can touch, feel, and smell the horse, which can stimulate their senses and contribute to their sensory development.
Confidence building: Learning to ride a pony and control its movements can boost a child's self-esteem and confidence. As they gain mastery over the activity, they feel a sense of accomplishment, which can have a positive impact on their self-image.
Social skills: Riding lessons often involve interacting with instructors, other riders, and sometimes even caretakers of the horses. This social interaction can help young children develop communication skills and learn how to follow instructions.
Connection with nature: Horseback riding typically takes place in outdoor settings, allowing young children to connect with nature and learn about animals and their environment. This can promote an appreciation for the natural world.
Emotional benefits: Spending time with animals, such as horses, can have a calming and soothing effect on young children. It can teach them empathy and responsibility as they care for and bond with the horse
Cognitive development: Horseback riding can also offer cognitive benefits, such as problem-solving and decision-making. Young children may need to make choices when directing the horse, and they can learn about cause and effect as they observe how their actions affect the horse's behavior.
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