Our Horse fun

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Summer Camps

Work and plan and call... Trying to get our summer camps underway can be somewhat daunting. but now I think I've gotten together. I am planning three one-week camps for riders. I am having games, which will help teach fine/gross motor skills, eye-hand coordination and help teach crossing the midline. The riders will be able to groom and tack their horses, PLUS paint their horse. This activity is a favorite with the students and the parents. We discovered that by using tempra paint and brushes, the riders get to paint their names, favorite shapes and hand-prints on the horses. The next activity is to give the horses bathes, which the horses like.

Boerne Students

Boerne Students

At the end of school some students from one of the Middle schools in Boerne came out the barn to visit the horses. They enjoyed brushing, riding, and feeding Cowboy & Jake.

Jake's New Name

Last Wednesday while giving a lesson to Sophia (a rider who has a speech delay), she gave Jake a new name. We have been working on telling her horse to go. I believe that while teaching students the normal comands, such as, walk on, is important. However I want to tach my students words and concepts that they can apply anywhere. I wonder where any of my special needs students are going to use the words "walk on". Instead, I want them to learn a concept that they can use at home, school and anywhere they are. Anyway, Sophia had been working on - "Go, Jake", she was so excited she said "Go, Cake!". I did a double take, but good horse that he is, Jake started walking!

Saturday Riders

Each day I have riders and I think that the lessons are going to be plain and ordinary. but I should realize that would not happen. Between the kids and the horses more interesting things happen. When I go get Cowboy and get him ready for the first rider, he practically puts the halter on himself. He sticks his nose down into halter and marches out to get the saddle on. He is so-o ready to work. But he can also try to get out of a lesson, he tries to stop early and get a drink of water.
But he is the one that I use whenever a new student rides. I use him because he shows me how the child/adult feels when riding. The student feels relaxed, he is relaxed. If they are nervous, he is very hesitant, careful and slow with his walk and movement. I am posting a short show to introduce him to you.