03/14/2021
Although our riders do not show or compete, the benefits that come from exposing kids to horses are numerous in and of their self but when we add the proven techniques developed by our founder Charles Fletcher to include therapeutic qualities of equine assisted therapy the results cannot be denied. The letter below is one that has made its rounds on Facebook before but is definitely worth repeating, especially for a time such as this. Call us today to find out how this program can help your child. All of our therapy is at no charge to the rider so donāt wait. Spring session starts soon!
By: Deirdre Ferreira
An Open Letter to my Sons teacher
Today my 8 yr old son came home from school a bit sad. When I asked why, he said his teacher told him that if he missed days, he would get bad grades. I understand where she is coming from, Iām sure itās frustrating for her when he's gone, but he has missed 2 Fridays since the beginning of the year to compete in something that at an 8 year old finds to be his true passion, Horses. There are not many 8 year olds that showjump ponies. Itās difficult. Itās mentally and physically demanding. And he works harder than any kid I know his age because he enjoys it, and loves his pony Rascal, at a level beyond words.
It was interesting the sheet of paper that was sent home, listing out what I should expect of my second grader, what I should work with him on. And as I read it all I could think is how much my son is benefiting from all the hours heās spending at the barn preparing for his competitions. How much he is learning from all the hours, day in and day out, he rides and practices. And finally, how my expectations of him are so much higher than a teacher, because of his riding.
Under the āLife Skillsā portion it states he should be zipping zippers. he can put on a pair of leather half chaps by himself. Zipper level: Expert. It states he should be able to snap snaps and button buttons. he can put on his show shirt and jacket, jodhpurs and his helmet. he can also tack up his pony by himself and apply, front jump boots and brushing boots, and he knows which ones to use when and where.
It says he should know how to wash and dry his hands. Not only can he do that, but he knows how to clean and shine his boots, bridle and saddle, bath his pony, pick his feet and apply hoof oil. organize a tack trunk and shovel and sweep manure from the stable. Which brush to use when grooming his pony and how to groom him.
Heās supposed to know one parentās phone number, and his parents names. he knows the names of the 15 horses in the barn. Their names and what they each eat as well as who their riders are and when they ride. he knows what size girth to use, and which is his own namnah saddle and bridle. He also knows how to change his diagonal, and how to ride a transition.
There was a section for āFollowing Directionsā where it says he needs to be a good listener. he listens to his instructor give him a jump course consisting of 10+ fences, which he has to immediately remember, and then jump. It says he has to remember multiple directions at a time āsuch as brushing your teeth, putting on your shoes and moving your school bagā he can remember and ride 2 different course in one day consisting of 10+ jumps in each class
It says I should play āMother May Iā with him. Everything his pony does, is because heās asked and he knows he has to ask correctly. he weighs 25kg. His pony weighs 700 kg. He has spent hours learning how to not only ask, but listen, when he wants something from him.
It says he should have responsibilities, such as packing his lunch away and packing his homework. He can not only feed himself, but knows how to feed and care for a pony along with all the other horses in the barn. He can groom him, put on his blanket, brush his mane and tail. He can scoop his feed, throw hay Into his manger. fill his water buckets and lug all 25 litres of water 100 feet from the tap to his stable. He knows he always comes first in Levi's eyes even when heās hot and tired or itās cold and raining.
But most of all, heās learning about hard work. heās learning how to succeed, and how to fail. heās learning patience and compassion and best of all Love. Love for his pony, Love for the sport, Love for learning.
Dear Teacher, while I know school is important, I also know there is more to life than what can be learned in a classroom. These experiences arenāt just teaching him the things that come from a book, but things that are making him a better human being. When
he looks back on his life, he wonāt remember missing those days of school. he will remember his last show on his beloved pony Rascal. his first rosette at a show, and how he spent time with his pony together doing the things they love the most, competing and being together.
Sincerely,
The proud mom of a horse loving little boy
