We have Aladin, a 28 year old Arabian/Tennessee Walker, he is primarily a LBI but can be a LBE when he has the energy! Ratadour, a 16 year old Columbian Paso Fino (sp?), he is also a LBI/LBE. We have Fancy, a 12 year old paint mare, she is a LBE/RBE. There is Ben, a gorgeous 7 year old haflinger, who stole my heart the moment i saw him, he's a LBI/RBI/LBE. Finally we have Tiger Lily, a 13 year old mini, she is LBI all the way.
Each day we see 37 kids, between the ages of 7 and 14. All different levels of confidence and experience with horses. The first day i introduced myself and our workers, then i introduced the horses (our partners for the week). We went over safety and some basic principles, treat them like friends (easier for the kids to understand, no hitting etc). Then we groomed and did some of the basic first three games. Then we did a pushing passenger lesson for each child, i walked with the horse on a 12 ft line and the kids had a rope around the horses neck as a 'safety net'. The second day we went over body parts of a horse then the kids played on the ground for a little while and groomed, we introduced reins. The third day we went over basic nutrition, different grains and different types of hay and started to let the kids do some point-to-point with obstacles. On the fourth day we painted native american symbols on the horses, then we did some ground play and riding. I came home last night so today Olivia did a small demonstration with her mare Fancy. Next week hopefully i will do a demo with Ben :)
The kids are so much fun, they leave an imprint on you that you will never forget. They get attached to you and really start to trust you. I had an amazing time, on the last day Ben laid down and i went over and sat with him. My heart filled with emotion.
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