It seems like every young girl goes through a phase of pony obsession in her childhood or adolescence. For some, that passion manifests itself in rows of new stuffed animals. For others, copies of Misty of Chincoteague and The Black Stallion are checked out of the local library, substantiations of her wildest imaginings. A lucky few twist their parents’ arms into purchasing riding lessons, enthusiastically bouncing in the backseat of the car on the way to the local equestrian center. But whether she dreams of ponies or becomes an accomplished rider, the fact remains: young girls love horses. And horses are great for young girls. Here’s why.
They teach responsibility.
Horses are hard work to care for and maintain, whether it be mucking the stalls, grooming or tacking these gentle giants. Your child will need to work a significant amount to keep their horses happy and healthy.
They inspire confidence.
Horses force children to, quite literally, take the reins and control a situation. For young girls, learning to ride a horse may be the first opportunity they’ve had to exert some agency in their lives. A new rider can only get away with being a passenger for so long—soon, she will need to make decisions and trust her instincts, both for her own welfare and the welfare of her horse.
They help develop a sense of empathy and, consequently, selflessness.
Horses, as herd animals, are inherently social and behave with a certain degree of emotionality. In order for your child to build the trust necessary to do more than sit passively on her animal’s back, she will need listen to the needs of her companion and act accordingly. Riding, real riding, is not about forcing a horse to do what you want to do. It’s about becoming the kind of rider the horse wants to do things for. Learning when to encourage her horse and when to step back and recognize the animal’s hesitations are fundamental lessons in empathy and perception. But more importantly, it forces a young girl to be mindful of something other than herself.
They provide young riders with an opportunity to get involved in their community, even local government!
Even if your child is too young to participate in horse-policy advocacy, attending local council meetings when horse-related legislation is on the floor exposes them to the community and the workings of local government. The horse community is always in need of grassroots activists, and who knows—you may have the next American Horse Council lobbyist on your hands!
They can be a saving grace to children with behavioral or emotional struggles.
Working with children who have an inherent distrust of adults is a challenge, one that could potentially be navigated with the help of a service animal. Interacting with horses serves as an incredible developmental opportunity for kids who deal with various disabilities. By teaching a child to care for and communicate with a horse, instructors facilitate growth in self-esteem, emotional control, and anxiety management. And eventually, the skills developed in the barn can be translated to the real world.
A few of our favorites are:
Annan Water by Kate Thompson
Pony Crazy by Bonnie Bryant
Astra by Chris Platt
Unbroken by Jessie Haas
Loving Spirit by Linda Chapman, now on sale for $1.99 through September 30!