Riding and being around horses can offer
your child much more than equestrian know-how. Many parents who have brought
their children up around horses will tell you that they don’t know of a better
way to raise kids. Riding teaches them to think on their feet; learn respect;
and accept responsibility for their actions.
Riding families have always known that
horses are good for kids, but now research is backing up their assertions: studies
have shown a significant positive correlation between horsemanship skills and
life skills. If your child likes animals, maybe it’s time to get them involved
with horses and give them the chance to blossom.
Responsibility
Allow your child to build a bond with a
horse, and then hand the reins of responsibility over to them. Keep an eye on
them both, but make sure that it is your child doing all of the work of caring
for the horse, from feeding to grooming to mucking out. Many children will try
to wriggle out of their responsibilities and only do the fun parts, like riding
their horse and playing with it. If they don’t get away with leaving the hard
parts to you, they’ll get far more out of horse ownership. Once they understand
that the horse cannot survive without them, and that they cannot ride without
first caring for it, they’ll begin to appreciate that hard work pays off. There
is nothing more rewarding for a child than seeing a happy, healthy pony come
running across the field to greet them.
Trust
Horses will not work with someone unless
they trust them completely. Your child must put the time into bonding with their
horse and developing a trusting relationship before they can work together.
They’ll learn the values of patience and commitment in building a trusting partnership,
and see the worth of such attributes when they start bringing home the ribbons.
Confidence
There is a unique empowerment which
comes from controlling a ton of muscle and pure power with just two thin strips
of leather. If your child can sit at such a great height without fear, they’ll
feel indomitable. That will carry over into other areas of their life, lending
them a quiet confidence and an absolute immunity to intimidation.
Patience
Horses won’t play ball right away. They
won’t simply do as your child asks them to do. It will take time and perseverance
to build a solid partnership. The patience they learn will serve them well in
every area of their life.
Self-Discipline
Horses are hard to care for. They
require an almost encyclopedic knowledge, the interest to invest time in
constantly researching and reviewing whether they’re doing things right and hours
of their day spent at the stables. Even the most experienced horseman will turn
to equine
nutritionists, behaviorists and
medical professionals when things go wrong; they’ll have to learn to accept
that they don’t know everything and that others might know more. If your child
can get up early to care for their horse before school, give them their dinner
in an evening before they have their own, learn to recognize their shortcomings
and ask for help, and instill in themselves the discipline to work their life
around their passion, then this will serve them well academically and
professionally as they grow older.
Sensitivity
Horse riders have to learn to be
empathetic and compassionate; it’s nigh on impossible to bully an animal
weighing over a ton into doing what you want them to. They will learn to be
calm and sensitive to the needs of their partner. Your child will soon grasp
that if their horse is misbehaving, they have to pay attention and find the
root cause of the problem – fear or anger or pain – rather than shouting them
into submission. Such qualities are likely to be looked
on favorably in their professional careers as they grow older.
Fun
Above all, if your child loves horses,
then they will love being around them. Some of the best moments in their life
will be spent in the saddle. They’ll make friends from all backgrounds, of all
ages, all united by their common passion. They’ll feel the wind in their hair
and the sunshine on their backs, and they’ll laugh as they gallop at such speed
that their eyes stream and the sound of the wind deafens them. Who wouldn’t
want that for their child?
I have always loved horses and horseback riding. When I first saw one, I was a bit overwhelmed by the size. Your article is very informative.
ReplyDeleteI agree with this post. Horses are a great way to teach children. They truly are amazing animals. I never had the chance to grow up around them, but all of my friends who did definitely had a lot more respect and sensibility than most.
ReplyDeletei love horses and grew up around them and so have my children and we are starting to do that with the young ones.. I think its important to do your up most to your child or children, i know the few that have been around horses really have a better attitude and i find more kinder :) thanks for share :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. I'm sure even I can learn from them also.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. I'm sure even I, as an adult can learn from them also.
ReplyDeleteI love horses. My granddaughter rides. I would like the other grandkids to also ride but unfortunately it is not in the budget right now.
ReplyDeletegreat article it's very great advice which teach us from childhood to build our own personalities
ReplyDeleteHorses are such awesome animals! What a great post!
ReplyDeleteHorses are beautiful creatures. Wonderful post!
ReplyDelete