Many people have kids that are into sports from an early age. They take them to practice every day after school and to games on weekends. Soccer, baseball, basketball, football, dance classes, piano lessons…… The list can go on. Many people allow their children to participate in these kinds of extracurricular activities because it keeps them busy. Busy kids don’t have as many opportunities to get into trouble or get into drugs. Kids who play some kind of sport are also outside and moving around getting healthy exercise rather than sitting on the couch playing video games. My ‘sport’ was horses.
I was lucky enough to have parents who allowed me to have a horse at a very young age. I rode horses almost everyday after school. Horses were my passion. If you had asked anyone at my school what I was known for, they would quickly say my love of horses. That was fine with me. I wore my boots and blue jeans to school, talked about my horse and carried his picture in my backpack. Every year my Christmas list consisted of a new saddle, bridle, boots and saddle pad. And of course a new Breyer horse! My parents did put limits on things, but they never discouraged me from riding. This behavior continued throughout junior high and high school. I know that without having to take care of my horses I would have had a lot of free time on my hands and a lot of opportunities to get into trouble.
Owning your own horse takes up more time than playing a sport because besides riding and having fun you must care for the horse, clean up after him and keep him fed. This is a great way to learn responsibilities. I was taught that the horses come first because they can’t take care of themselves. They must have feed, hay and clean water before I came inside for the evening. Taking riding lessons is also good for children because it teaches them to listen and follow directions. These kinds of lessons can last a lifetime for your child.
Horses can be a great investment for your child. Sports are great, but a baseball just can’t return your love like a horse can.
