Horse rides for kids right in your backyard

By Jackie Devine Experiencing horseback riding and barn life can instill many positive traits in children, from mental and physical development to social skills. Handling, riding, and caring for a horse can help develop important characteristics in children including responsibility, accountability, patience, level-headedness, empathy, kindness, selfdiscipline and respect for animals. Children are naturally drawn to horses, especially when exposed early on. Nowadays, horses are frequently seen on television and the internet, and are often represented as stuffed animals, action figures, and more. Many groups and organizations, such as 4-H and the United States Pony Club, promote a relationship between horses and children. It's wholesome fun! Luckily for us, local parents and grandparents can see for themselves. Children can take a horse out for a “test drive” right in our own backyard at 20239 Schiel Road in Cypress. Courtney Niland, who began riding when she was in the third grade, knows firsthand the benefits of building relationships with horses. That is why she started offering introductory horseback riding for children in August of 2021. She gives young horse rider “wannabees” a chance to get comfortable riding in a calm, safe environment. Courtney says, "Riding a horse offers far-reaching health benefits by teaching flexibility, balance, stamina, and coordination. Along with the rider's health, riders can also learn to care for the animal's health by keeping up with their hooves (with the help of a farrier) and daily grooming, as well as making sure the horse’s medical needs, including vaccinations, are met. These caretaking activities naturally help teach a child responsibility. "Get me started," she sighs, "and I can go on forever touting the benefits of being around horses. They are incredibly therapeutic animals that help people in many ways. Parents of children with special needs find that getting physical therapy with the help of horses benefits their young ones physically and emotionally. It can significantly impact the rider's mood for the entire week." Studies have also shown that bonding with a horse can help with anxiety, stress, anger, depression, and even ADD/ADHD. Horses can sense a human's feelings and respond accordingly. No matter how big or small a horse, they are powerful creatures and, at the same time, very kind and respectful if you earn their trust. Courtney continued, "Building a relationship with a horse is lifeenhancing and something that I believe every person should be able to experience in their life.” Introductory Horse Rides is a slow-paced learning experience for all kids! Courtney's goal is to get young riders comfortable with being on a horse to see if they would like to venture further into the horse world. "We go at whatever pace each rider needs, no matter how

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slow," Courtney explains. "Sticking to the basics, we walk around the area for the rider to feel the motion of each muscle of the horse moving under them while learning the horse's body language and signs of comfort. "Sometimes, if the rider and the instructor have confidence in the bond between the rider and horse, we try a very short distance trot for the rider to experience the horse's speed without being at a full run. We lunge the horse if the rider chooses to feel the power and strength of a horse." After the riding session, the students help wash the horse, further emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility and experiencing what is involved in caring for a horse. The last activity is a sharing of gratitude. The rider offers treats to their horse, thanking it for a fun learning experience that will be cherished forever. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/introductoryhorserides or introductoryhorserides@gmail.com.