Why Kids Should Ride

In today’s world, horses may be one of the best tools ever for fostering healthy, well-adjusted children.

- Jennifer Forsberg Meyer

When my sisters and I were small, our mom got us involved with horses. I was a shy, awkward youngster with glasses and braces, unsure of myself among my four beautiful sisters. Horses were the great equalizer. They helped all of us—but especially me—navigate that tricky passage from girlhood to womanhood. My father used to joke about it.

“Just get ’em horses,” he’d tell other parents, especially of girls.

“Get ’em horses and the horses will do the rest.” 

As a mother, I saw to it that my own daughter grew up with horses, and in my role as an equine journalist I’ve had countless opportunities to observe the effect horse involvement has on children and families.

And how exactly do horses benefit young people? It’s a substantial list. Here are just a few of the most important rewards.

Wholesome Fun, Companionship

Horses are the perfect antidote to today’s digital mania. Children are naturally attracted to horses, making them a welcome alternative to TV-watching, video-game-playing, social-media-obsessing, or just hanging out.

“I received my own horse at the age of 7,” reports Karissa Dishon, a member of the American Youth Horse Council’s board of directors and a professor at Oregon State University. “From then on, my spare time was spent outside, at the barn, or obsessively studying horse-knowledge resources. There simply wasn’t time for sitting around. I was inspired to grow as a horseman, so I took every opportunity to do just that.”

Horseback riding does indeed get kids off the couch and out into nature, and it can be enjoyed alone or in groups. And, when the whole family gets involved, the time spent together with horses can enhance the bond among family members.