A neighbor’s kids want to learn about horses, and I’ve agreed to show them how I keep my horses. These kids are ages 8-14, and they know nothing at all about horses, so we’ll be starting from scratch. I’d love some suggestions about things to show them. This will be on the ground only; no riding. How would you go about teaching a totally green kid about horses?
Start with safety. Not just the rules, but the why. Move on from there.
2 Likes
Start with the type of thing you wish any person off the street would know how to do with a horse in an ‘emergency’ (i.e. no horsey person around to handle the situation):
- How to halter and lead a horse
- How to read body language
- Basic safety and their own body language / way of interacting with the horse
- How to properly feed hay / water
From there I’d move on to the more “advanced” horse care:
- grooming and basic physical care including major issues to watch out for (heat, swelling, open cuts / lacerations, etc)
- blanketing
- mucking stalls
etc
For the more advanced stuff I think best is to prioritize based on why the kids are wanting to learn about horses and therefore what topics would serve them best in achieving those ends.
2 Likes
1000% agree. I’m not always a great communicator, or the best person to train other employees. But, I’m actually very good at communicating safety, because I always make a point of (a) noting it’s a safety thing (as opposed to just style or preference) and (b) stating why it’s safer/what the risk we’re avoiding is. The ages and experience level these kids are at is the perfect time to make this all habit for them. Teach them positioning, awareness, and escape routes.
Teach grooming. Teach observation skills along with it… this will actually serve them with and without horses. (And don’t discount their existing skills either… the same people who look super awkward holding a brush may well be the first to say “She has a lump here” or “He seems mad when I brush here”.)
Teach the basic leading/ground handling skills. Of course, you can get super fancy with groundwork if you want, but there is so much power and skill building in the basics of leading forward, whoa, back-ups, turns, and moving over. For a kid to know they can move a large animal with non-verbal communication skills is huge. To get them thinking about their intent, looking where they are going, etc, is another big life skill.
When I was aged 8-14, I was lucky to spend 97% of my free time in a horse pasture. It was just what I did, but it built a huge foundation for my horsemanship and professional career (which has been with horses, but more on the ground than in the saddle). I know you aren’t likely to let neighbour kids hang out in your horse’s field the way my parents let me hang out in ours, but if they are keen enough (If they aren’t really into horses, this part will be boring. If they are, this will be the gold!) spend some “fence leaning” time with them and talk about what you see.
2 Likes
Is this going to be a one time thing or are you going to have them over for future lessons?
Some fun things are parts of the horse, horse colors, how the measure a horse, etc.
Look up the horse management requirements for a ponyclub D1 and that will give you some great ideas.
3 Likes
I’m not sure whether this will be one time or more. The kids want to get a horse. Mom says she’s willing to do that, but wants to know what she’s getting into first. I know the kids are hard workers (for their ages), and the parents are sensible and responsible. I’m just a backyard horse owner, not a trainer or riding instructor by any stretch of the imagination. I know the basics of keeping my own horses, but I’m not a horse expert like a lot of COTHers. Both of my horses are very gentle, but they’re not beginner horses, and I don’t trust complete newbies to handle them safely.
If these kids are serious about getting a horse, I expect I will be giving ongoing lessons at least for a while. I want the kids and their mom to understand that keeping a horse is a commitment that requires at least a fair amount of time and money. I want them to understand that horses are sentient creatures, and they have not only physical needs but also emotional needs that must be met if they are to be happy and healthy. I have an opportunity to influence how a future horse is treated, and I want to do it right.
I’ve gotten some good comments so far; lots of food for thought.
1 Like
Liability waiver, and check your insurance
OK, so the point is to teach them what is involved in horse ownership - Show them how to clean a stall and explain how it has to be done every day. Explain how the farrier needs to come every six weeks and show them about the hoof and that whole ‘no hoof, no horse’ thing. Explain about vaccines and how the horse vet works (farm call fee, etc). Explain how you need to look over the horses every day to make sure they are not injured. Explain that horses are herd animals and prefer to not live alone.
Get theD pony club manual.
Use it as a template for the lessons.
3 Likes
I would start with horse behaviour, especially if the children have other animals, such as dogs, at home. They can transfer their existing knowledge to the new animals. Watching the horses, observing their behaviour, action and reaction, talking about the senses and why horses do something can be a great introduction to horses and, hopefully, help keep them safe when they become hands on. Knowing that ears going back is a warning can be very useful information!
