Abby Girl seems so confident and Poised. However, what people don’t realize is she is a very shy, sensitive child. Horses have brought this confidence and joy to her. It’s absolutely amazing how many benefits have come from being around horses and learning to ride.
For horseback riding, one benefit is core strength and balance. Others are dealing with anxiety, decision making, and confidence. The list goes on. Abby started around three years old and the results have been amazing.
A surprising fact is that Abby is very shy and doesn’t speak in certain situations. However, when she’s around a horse, it’s a whole different child. For Instance, horseback riding has given her joy and confidence. She’s currently at Horses for a Change in Esopus New York which offers a therapeutic riding program as well as being a primarily English barn. Abby is learning English. They have her do lots of confidence and coordination building exercises. Today she asked to make the jump higher. There went Lolipop the Pony and Abby flying at a canter and over they leaped. If you are ever looking for English or Therapeutic riding in the Esposus area, we highly recommend them. In fact, learn more at our other blog about Horses for a Change and Abby’s experience.
Next, a person is learning trust. Not only does a person have to trust themselves, but they have to trust the horse. The horse has to feel this too. She rides the horse backward, lays down on her, goes around the world, and even takes “naps” on Lolipop. When we go hiking, a lot of the same principles apply. That trust has to be there along with confidence, leadership, strength (both mentally and physically), problem-solving and much more. See what the trails taught us in the blog post called Six Weeks of Wandering in the Woods. Amazing the parallels.
More Benefits of Horseback Riding-
For western riding, Abby attends camp at Ridge Runner Ranch in New Paltz, New York. Here she is around other children. The horses give her the courage to socialize and interact. Although sometimes, Abby still likes to fly solo and build sandcastles in the arena. Learn more about her experience at Ridge Runner Ranch Camp. Abby Girl approves this place and really likes it here too!
What Brittany Mercier Owner of Ridge Runner Ranch has to add …
I think, in general, horseback riding and the barn is an amazing resource and can be used as an educational tool for children. It can also help children that need guidance in certain areas or aspects of their lives. Horses instill courage, self confidence and a self awareness.
I have seen my kids (that’s what I refer to them) develop such a sense of self pride in such short periods of time. Sometimes I have my older kids show the younger ones what they’ve learned. I feel this reinforces the concepts learned in a similar way that a test would. However, this way is more fun and less stressful. I see how proud of themselves they are at what they know and what they can accomplish all by themselves.
I push my kids. To show them that they’re absolutely capable of anything. When they take that leap and they see what they can do- they realize they are powerful. They can accomplish just about whatever comes their way. This spreads to all realms of their lives and their interactions with others.
Ridge Runner Runner Ranch
Just being with a horse has huge benefits-
You are learning compassion by caring for something else, not yourself. Furthermore, for Abby, they depend on each other and there’s a level of responsibility when she is around a horse.
A person has to be alert and in tune. A horse is like a human. They have good days and bad days. Both can get sick or injured. Around a horse, a person must be aware of everything. You walk behind a horse, you can get kicked. You feed the treat the wrong way with fingers bent, the horse can accidentally get your fingers.
Sum-up-
- confidence
- trust
- mental and physical strength
- leadership and decision making skills
- social skills
- relaxation and help with anxiety-related disorders
- competitive spirit
- awareness
- compassion
- responsibility
What Another Parent Has to Say-
A parent recently completed a write-up. Her child attends Ridge Runner Ranch. She too has been able to see such a change. Readers read on to see the amazing transformation.
Before beginning the equine classes with Brittany my 12-year-old daughter struggled with self- confidence and was challenged a bit academically having been diagnosed with a non-verbal learning disability. This learning disability showed up as dyslexia, struggling to comprehend, and challenged in articulating herself.
I saw on social media that there was an equine day camp and I thought my daughter would be interested. When I told her I signed her up she demanded I take her out of it, she did not want to go. I reached out to Brittany letting her know my daughter was a little shy and wanted to bail on the camp. Brittany brought comfort to my concern by reassuring me that my daughter was not alone in feeling this way, but to still give it a try.
My daughter attended the camp and when I went to pick her up she asked if she could go back the next day. This was the beginning of something I never imagined. I kept her going in the weekly classes with Brittany. She was learning so much about equine life and then I realized that she was learning so much about real life. Then She started to gain confidence as I began to see it in her interactions with peers. She began to have an open mind about learning, even in her academics. I noticed that her processing disorder was not as bad as it used to be. She had a deeper excitement and zest for life.
… Riding a horse makes you aware of your feelings so it is breeding an internal awareness that is key for kids to have success in life. I see my daughter… Learning to brush a horse, wrap its legs, put on a saddle, ride a horse, muck a stall, and place a bit in a horse’s mouth Yet, what is really going on is…. Learning responsibility, how to be gentle, how to listen to her instincts, good work ethic is built, increased confidence, her inner spirit smile, how to be caring, strength, and serenity.
See the full write-up on Ridge Runner Ranch Facebook Page
Ondrea Lynn with permission from Brittany Mercier
Final Thoughts-
Go find a place to ride whether it’s on a trail or taking a lesson. Perhaps you to will benefit from horseback riding or just spending time alongside a horse. In fact, we would love to hear in comments about why horseback riding or horses have impacted you for a chance to be featured!
