Let’s try trail riding!
This was our fifth week of the popular “Mom & Me” horsemanship class. This week the children and moms (yes, it’s all moms this time around) got a chance to try a little trail ride around the property. They learned how to go up small hills and down small hills. They also learned that the horses can act a little different out on the trail, so everybody had to be especially alert to their surroundings and their horses’ behavior.
Once back in the arena, we played a new game – sort of! Our French intern, Gaia, taught us how to play “un, deux, trois, soleil!” which, we learned, was the French version of “one, two, three, redlight!“ We had a great time playing the game and picking up a little French culture along the way.
After the children had put away their tack and horses, we had snacks and our traditional “after ride show” hosted by the assistants, Jessika, Sarah, Amanda & Gaia and starring Flash, Zim & Tango! As the sun sank slowly behind the palm trees, the evening air cooled us and the horses entertained us in a free-jumping extravaganza delighting all. For the French version of the evening’s events I give you Gaia’s Blog.
Sounds like a great day!
Thanks for checking us out, Shadowsdad! By the way, we usually have a dad or two in the program. This session was unusual in that it was all moms!
I was delighted to hear about your horsemanship class, Mom & Me. It sounds like a tremendous day of bonding between the kids, their Moms, and the horses. And thanks for the video that clearly shows the kids wearing riding helmets at all times around the horses. I think it was a nice touch that the children also learn about being responsible for these big creatures by putting them safely away and properly storing the horse riding equipment. Thanks for your story.
Hi Anne C. Thanks for your nice comments about our “Mom & Me” program. We work really hard during the six week course to be sure both parent and child learn a good, solid foundation in horsemanship, not just riding. As I always tell them, being the caretaker of horses is about 10% riding (if you are lucky!!) and 90% “other”!!!!