We put a lot of emphasis on safety and keeping it positive for both horse and rider. Around age 8 is a good time to start, however some 4-year olds are ready. We have several students who started in their 50s. I have taken riding lessons before but never felt confident. It takes time and practice, and having positive experiences over and over again in the right position.
Natural horsemanship is a holistic approach to working with horses.
Instead of looking for a quick fix to mask a symptom, you try to address the cause of the problem. For example, if the horse is taking off and running away with the rider, charging jumps or spooking, many people will go to a more severe bit or some other mechanical device. In natural horsemanship you may determine that the cause of the problem is fear. He is acting like a horse. The goal is to learn to recognize this and to learn what to do about it.