In today’s world, horses may be one of the best tools ever for fostering healthy, well-adjusted children.
“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.
This story is from the September 2017 edition of Horse and Rider.
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This story is from the September 2017 edition of Horse and Rider.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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