Tina
is a riding instructor and grant writer at Windrush Farm in Boxford,
MA.(www.windrushfarm.org)
In addition to working in the barn
We
started with a quick tour of the farm before we introduced the
children to their horses; we talked about approaching a horse,
about allowing it to smell you and how horses recognize each
other and humans. We discussed horses being prey animals - creatures
of flight, and why it was important not to startle them. We then
showed the kids how to safely enter the stall, catch the horse
with a lead rope and to put the halter on. Then we allowed the
children to practice. Jevonne P. was at first frightened to enter
the stall, so his volunteer encouraged him to take his time to
get to know Tucker, who is a 13.3hh Connemara pony.
We
always teach the children to lead first, so between 9:30 and
10:30, the kids led their horses around the indoor arena, through
an obstacle course, and finally for games and a relay race. They
each started with a volunteer on the off side, but were soon
dashing down the long side of the arena with just their pony,
encouraging the pony to trot faster so that they could win the
race. Jevonne
We
cleaned three stalls, spread fresh shavings, scrubbed and refilled
water buckets, distributed hay, and swept between 10:30 and 11:30.
We will progressively allot less time for this.
Between
11:30 and 12:15 we ate lunch and discussed information in their
folders, including: horse body language, senses, instincts, behavior
and being part of a herd. We also talked about blind spots and
where not to stand, how horses sleep, and gaits.
At
12:20 we returned to the stable, and each child groomed his horse
with his volunteer. Each child once again haltered his own horse,
but this time learned to tie a slip knot to secure the horse
for grooming. We discussed why we use a slip knot, and tied in
the concept of being a prey species and creatures of flight.
We use grooming as a teaching opportunity for many things, including
parts of the horse. Today we discussed belly, back, neck, shoulder,
mane, tail, hoof, knee, hock and withers as well as curry comb,
hard brush, soft brush and hoof pick. Tomorrow we will introduce
frog, muzzle, dock, hindquarter, loins, croup, flank, poll as
well as bridle, bit, noseband, throatlatch saddle, girth and
stirrup.
At
12:45 we watched a riding demonstration which emphasized mounting
preparation and safety and the three gaits. We all knelt on the
ground and practiced posting, and identified the differences
between sitting and posting trot.
Between
1:00 and 1:45 each child had a turn to vault on Tucker. They
practiced various longeing exercises, going around the world,
kneeling and an arabesque. They then participated several interactive
vaulting games for 10 minutes, which tired them out for the ride
home.
We
finished up with a popsicle and a review of what the children
had learned about horses so far. We sent them home with a folder
of horse information, a Boy Scouts horsemanship manual and a
Windrush T shirt.
Tina
