Equine Awareness & Communication
The Kid's Club!
Ground Skills & Handling
There's no denying that education is the only way and children started in the right way will
go through life with valuable skills and can be far more successful. All evidence shows children
who are brought up to respect and care for animals possess higher levels of empathy and
compassion.
They are also more confident and can transfer their skills to human relationships.
I studied Child Care & Psychology and went on to be a Nanny and also a class room assistant
at primary level; I absolutely love how children are so ready to absorb learning if delivered
in a way that means something to them. Having raised my own child within a world where
horses/animals are a huge presence and see what a well-rounded individual she is; I know
the power the animal world can bring.
Too often with children and their ponies; there is a imbalance of 'power' usually in the pony's favour.
This is largely due to the fact that small ponies are often viewed as toys or play things and are subjected to a lack of respect for the fact they are a powerful animal who can do a lot of damage. Consequently, they end up being bad tempered; resulting in bargey, bitey behaviour. Children can be very easily over-powered with loss of confidence being inevitable.
The flip side to this is children who are allowed to be aggressive towards their pony due to a lack of understanding and knowledge about how horses 'tick'.
The courses available deal with all aspects of equine communication presented in a way using role play, games and language that children easily understand.
Every level completed awards the child with a rosette and certificate.
The I Am A Horse Kids Course is for children aged 7~12
Oli's first lesson
Natural Riding Lessons
This is a big favourite with kids who absolutely love a challenge and are open minded to doing things differently!
I have never understood why a complete beginner or novice is allowed to get straight onto a horse and hang on to it's mouth and sit poorly on it's back due to being nervous and unbalanced.
With children they will happily embrace riding with thesimplest approach.
In NRL the bit is removed and the pony initially put on a long-line. The child learns to use his/her body and weight aids and when confident can ride off the line. Bareback riding (I bring Bareback Pads) is also an option, which again children take to without much thought. They learn to balance very quickly and develop a deep, natural seat which they can transfer to the saddle where stirrup-less work becomes a doddle!
The attitude of the child towards the horse being ridden is all part of NRL; they learn that shouting, hitting and impatience are NOT acceptable! All in all they will become a braver, cleverer and more skillful equestrian.
Presently, NRL is only available to children aged 7~12 with access to their own pony.
'94 - my daughter aged2 'riding' my first ex- racer Asbaab
