What can your child learn from a horse?

Winston Churchill was famously quoted as saying; “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.”

As it turns out, horses are particularly good for children, or so says Dr. Constance Scharff anyway.

She states that the reason why children and horses are good for each other is that horses are prey animals and as such, they look for a leader to lead them to safety.

They are sensitive to nonverbal communication, mirroring the people around them.

If a child acts aggressively or with anger, the horse will startle and retreat from perceived danger.

This is a teachable moment, in which children can see how their behaviour affects others.

Similarly, children who are very shy or timid will not influence the horse.

They can be taught to use their voices and bodies to greater effect, to stand up for themselves.

Another important skill for children to learn is mindful attention to the present and diversion from thoughts of self.

When a child is intently grooming, feeding, or handling a horse, he isn’t thinking about himself.

Caring for an animal like a horse allows children to learn how to appropriately care for others and at the same time can be a release from the stresses of home.

Even when vigorously engaged with barn activities, instead of feeling spent (and acting cranky) at the end of the day, kids generally feel emotionally refreshed.

This is especially important for children going through stress at home, such as divorce, illness or death of a close family member, or a move.

Dr Scharff further states that care for horses also requires skill development.

Children who lack self-confidence learn to be leaders and to recognize tasks completed well.

Kids who are impatient slow down and anxious children find a sense of calm in the repetitive activities of cleaning stalls or tack, grooming, and preparing animals for exercise or riding.

If you have an angsty teen, a bouncing little boy or a sensitive, sweetheart daughter at home – consider what learning to ride can do for their emotional and physical development.

Cincinnati Equestrian Centre, situated out on the R555 at plot 35 in Jackaroo Park (at the corner of Kangaroo Road and Waroon Street), will be hosting a pony camp on 25, 26 and 27 June at R150 per child per day (this includes meals and drinks).

The pony camp is open to riders and enthusiasts of any riding ability who are of school-age.

If you are incredibly new to horses or nervous around them, you will be catered for by being paired up with a suitable horse and given suitable activities to participate in.

If you’d like to have some ‘mommy’-time while the children are out learning about themselves and animal husbandry (all whilst keeping fit and getting some fresh air with friends); call Chantel Edwards on 082 925 9279.

Cincinnati Equestrian Centre also offers riding lessons (from absolute beginners to competitive riders) and livery throughout the year.