Why I’m Glad My Kids Ride Horses
- August 26, 2014
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- Jessie Salter
Posted in: Horse Care, Ranch Life
I think most kids naturally love animals. However not all kids are lucky enough to have animals in their lives. Let alone a horse! I’ve talked about pairing the right horse with each kid and I can’t stress enough how important that is. There are so many wonderful life lessons to be learned from teaching your kids to ride and care for a horse, but it’s our responsibility to make sure the match is a safe one where horse and child can thrive.
Finding the right match between horse and child is very important.
Here are a few of my favorite lessons that kids can learn from horses:
1. Horses teach kids to be confident leaders. (if they don’t they’ll be led and eventually hurt)
2. Horses teach kids to pay attention to their surroundings in order to keep themselves and their partner safe.
3. Horses teach kids responsibility for another life.
4. Horses teach kids strength and balance.
5. Horses teach kids perseverance. Things don’t always go exactly how you hope, but you have to keep trying.
6. Horses teach kids to have a strong work ethic.
7. Horses teach kids to be humble.
8. Horses teach kids pain tolerance. (having your toe stepped on is small potatoes comparatively)
9. Horses teach kids to have compassion for animals. (they are to be respected and loved not abused)
10. Horses teach kids trust.
Lots of hard work goes into being a successful young horseman.
In closing, it’s also very important to remember that kids learn so much through watching their peers and the adults that surround them. Be cautious that you are always displaying your best side and treating your animals with respect. Be a positive role model and you’ll be surprised at how quickly the kids around you catch on.
It took a lot of patience and kind guidance for this day to pay off.
What are your favorite lessons learned from a horse?
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Posted in: Horse Care, Ranch Life
About Jessie Salter
Horses have been a part of my life since I can remember. Riding with my Dad as a youngster was what I lived for. There was nothing better than working cows, or racing my dad across an alfalfa field. It seems I never grew out...