26/07/2025
Barn Time Is Better for Kids Than Screen Time. Piper Benjamin LCSW, explains:
"Jonathan Haidt, a leading voice in the “no phone” movement, has proposed strategies to help distance kids from their screens, including school-wide phone policies and encouraging outdoor play. This got me thinking—how do horses and time at the barn influence mental health? As it turns out, the effects are profoundly positive.
Nature has long been recognized as a powerful regulator of human emotions. According to Kaplan and Kaplan’s book The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective, humans are hardwired to respond positively to natural environments. They developed the Attention Restoration Theory (ART), which suggests that spending time in nature helps restore our ability to focus—especially after long periods of “directed attention” tasks like answering emails, taking notes in class, commuting, and of course, scrolling on our phones. These activities demand constant concentration and can leave us feeling mentally depleted.
In contrast, nature offers what Kaplan and Kaplan call “soft fascination”—an effortless kind of engagement that allows our brains to relax and recharge. ART outlines four key components of a restorative environment: Being Away, Extent, Fascination, and Compatibility.
● Being Away: A mental or physical escape from daily demands. The barn naturally provides this, whether it’s hacking your horse on a quiet afternoon or simply enjoying the slower pace of farm life. Many barns are also physically removed from the bustle of town, offering that much-needed geographical distance from the “real world.”
● Extent: An immersive environment rich enough to engage the mind. Even routine barn activities, like brushing your horse, tacking up, or letting them graze, draw us into a world that feels vast and engaging without overwhelming us.
● Fascination: The effortless pull of our attention. Horse lovers know this feeling well. We lose track of time while grazing horses, chatting with barn friends, or simply watching them roam in their paddocks. This gentle captivation allows our minds to wander and reset.
● Compatibility: Alignment with our values and purpose. For equestrians, this comes naturally. A deep love for horses creates an environment that feels not just restorative, but essential.
But it’s not just the environment that matters. The animals themselves offer unique psychological benefits. Horses are highly attuned to human emotions, which can help children develop empathy and an awareness of how their actions affect others. Working with horses also builds confidence. Mistakes at the barn are low-stakes and often met with forgiveness, teaching kids resilience and the value of learning from errors.
For children who are shy or hesitant to open up to adults, horses can become safe, nonjudgmental companions. A bond with a horse allows kids to practice vulnerability, build self-esteem, and develop problem-solving and social skills—all without saying a single word."
🔗 Read the full article by Piper Benjamin LCSW at https://www.theplaidhorse.com/2025/07/22/why-psychologically-barn-time-is-better-for-kids-than-screen-time/
📸 © The Plaid Horse / Lauren Mauldin
