The conditions for horseback riding in the camp, riding and parents, beginners with no horseback riding experience and attitude to them, how they learn to ride a horse in the camp, the attitude towards the advanced. Why horseback riding is important and useful to the child?
“Every minute spent with horses is invaluable because they can make you forget all the worries and concerns.”
Horses are very beautiful and noble animals. Every minute spent with them is invaluable, because they are able to make you forget all the worries and concerns. Right from the beginning, when we learn to ride, we feel how great is the need nowadays of people, and especially of children, to be in contact with nature and animals. The ride can relax you from everyday life, clear the negative thoughts, and the child can get home safely and charged for the next day.
Conditions for horseback riding in the camp
The horse base is a peaceful and cozy place where children feel at home and can relax and rest. That’s why we chose a place in the mountains, in the fresh air, near the hotel, so as not to waste a lot of time on the road. The base is built on a natural meadow, with several shelters, a small stream near it and a number of paths on which the routes of the horses pass.
Children come to the base in the morning, then they get comfortable. The morning classes take place there, usually in the form of a project training. Children ride in small groups, changing at a certain interval of time.
Lunch is served outdoors – the grilled meat and vegetables are incredibly delicious, and appetite comes fast in nature.
Beginners, horseback riding and attitude towards them
Horseback riding for young children (up to 7 years old) is actually a short walk, usually a real walk. If the kid is stable enough, it can go on a “real” horseback riding in the meadows around, and his horse will be led by the instructor’s horse. But if the child is little or not very stable, the horse can be led by the instructor who will hold it with hand.
Before the ride is performed, the child will receive instructions, as the instructor helps him approach the horse, building a certain degree of confidence.
The horse does not know other relationships except the ones in a herd. Therefore, when one is on the horse, it is important to remember that from his point of view they are part of a herd. And it is even more important in this herd of two the man to be the leader. Thus, the horse will trust and respect the person because he gives him the sense of safety and comfort. And he can demand certain behavior and actions from him.
Therefore, it is very important to develop the relationship between the child and the horse in a way that is natural for the horse. When these relations are imposed not simply with pain and fear, but as a result of the desire of the horse obtained by purposeful, understandable work, it can be relied upon that when a dangerous situation arises, he will conform to the man.
If he is accustomed to trust people, we can expect the horse to do just that – trusting instead of rejecting all the mechanical means of control that man has invented. Therefore, in the horse base, we rely on the trust maintained between the horse and the rider/child/.
Advanced riders, horseback riding and attitude towards them
Children over 7 years of age are likely to start “real” training, and if they have already ride, the better. If they have a good and independent seat and the instructor decides, they can begin training for horse management and gradually progress in riding and “horsemanship” according to the individual abilities of the child. Generally speaking, most children over 7 years of age can safely take advantage of everything that is available in the horse base, but it depends mainly on the child himself, his physical shape and the desire and discretion of instructors.
Although there are no ponies, the horses in the horse base are well trained, calm and trustworthy.
Why horseback riding is important and useful for the child?
A child can choose just a horse ride – like an adventure in fresh air and sunshine. And he may want to improve his skills as a rider. Or ask to learn to understand the horse, to communicate with the animal, to build a partnership based on the natural relationship with horses.
Horse therapy fits very well in this setting. The relationship between children and horses is very special and very real, because they have no expectations to interfere with them. Only pure love and trust. Horses bring not only the enjoyment of the adventure and the speed with which the children work for trust, independence, physical strength and endurance.
Another part of the beauty of the adventure called „horseback riding“ is the stay outdoors
Nowadays, when most children spend a lot of time indoors, going out and staying in the fresh air is a turning point in their perceptions. The lack of electronic devices and pure direct contact with the nature, with these noble animals, brings peace of mind and brings the child back to his true self. The kid can play as much as he wants,he can run, pick flowers, touch natural materials and eat delicious food prepared on fire, as all these things that are rare in our everyday life.
Horses in turn are part of this distant nature, which is a luxury in our lives. They bring peace, cheerfulness, pure energy, love. They teach us respect for life and living creatures in general. In their attitude towards the horses, children exercises their power, will and respect. The kid learns to show attention, care and affection.
By exploring their everyday life, children experience the animals to a great extent, they are charged, they change, they become better, compassionate, kind and they show love for the living creatures, and people.
Here are some of the skills the kid develops with horseback riding:
- Leadership skills: The LuckyKids children‘s language camp provides opportunities for real-life team building, where participants learn and apply the leadership skills needed to succeed in school and life. As children and teenagers experience “mini-success stories,” they will begin to recognize their unlimited potential.
- Enhanced self-motivation: The child becomes a more independent thinker, who is more responsible for his actions and his future.
- Practical and social skills: In this program, children and teenagers learn how to communicate clearly and manage relationships, including conflict resolution strategies.
- Enhanced success and will for success: Applying research strategies during project work, including reading, writing, testing, time management, and note-taking skills, leads to higher scores over time and schooling becomes easier.
- Enhanced physical strength and endurance: Training, outdoor games, walking, riding are very beneficial for the kids.
- Self-sufficiency: The child is self-sufficient during these activities, he makes individual decisions, even ones that relate to what to wear and what it is appropriate for the activity, how to eat, by judging whether it is enough, what shoes to put on and how to play and interact with other kids.
- Confidence: Giving experiences to children and teenagers, we help build their self-esteem, they are able to become winners in school and in life.
The so-called „Indoor generation” goes out
For them, this is a big step, especially if they do not practice regular outdoor sports. Here is the place to mention “dependence on electronic devices“, which is replaced by activities out in nature – one of the most successful strategies to deal with habits.
That is why horseback riding itself is an antidote to this addiction. Hence its incredible significance for the child’s psyche and a healthy lifestyle free from all addictions, full of meaning and real childhood.
