How to Maximize a Child's Fun with Horses

Most children start riding because they are simply "horse crazy." However, the stress of showing or the everyday hassles of life can dim a child's passion. Fortunately, there are several things concerned parents or trainers can do to put the fun back in horse play.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Add a little pizzazz to your child's horse's regular grooming routine. Invest in colorful hoof polishes, a melange of different color coat glitter and bright ribbons for manes and tails. There are also many different types of braids and quarter marks you can experiment with.
2. Dress-up your ponies for momentous occasions, such as birthdays, holidays and special costume classes. Encourage kids to make their costumes, or at least pieces of it. Keep safety in mind: not all horses are comfortable being dressed up.
3. Host a pony-party sleepover. Invite your child's barn pals and their horses over for the night. Have a picnic and go for a supervised trail ride or play a few organized gymkhana games. After the sun goes down and all their ponies are tucked safely in their stalls, watch movies with horse themes such as "Black Beauty," "Dreamer" and "The Black Stallion."
4. Organize a gymkhana or play day at your farm. Instead of a formal riding lesson, engage in fun games on horseback. The games will depend on your children's riding abilities and the temperament and training of their horses or ponies. The games can include pole bending, egg on a spoon, keg races, key hole races, figure eight flag races and barrel racing.
5. Look into riding camps. Many camps host educational clinics where your child can learn about shoeing, vaccinations, lounging and ground handling skills. When selecting a camp, review the facility safety standards, watch their instructors give lessons and study the camp's curriculum.