We’ve all been there. Trying to deal with a difficult person and feeling like no matter what, you can’t win. It can be a difference of personalities, opinions, communication, or simply not getting along with someone. That’s all okay – you don’t have to like every person in the world (and they don’t have to like you)! However, we ALL need to deal with people we don’t always understand.
Simon Says
What You Need:
A Loud Voice
Simon Says is one of my favorite games to play with riders. It works very well with high-functioning riders, or riders who are easily distracted because it forces them to focus.
Colors of the Horse
What You Need:
Pictures of Horses
Way to Secure Pictures (e.g. hooks, rope, tape)
Cards of the horses/color (optional)
Walk from Beside
Horses are big, strong animals. They can be unpredictable and they have an undeniable fight or flight response. These are some of the reasons why horses are such good teachers. Their size can be intimidating and prevents ego from getting in the way. Their strength makes them difficult to bend to human will. Their fight or flight response means you need to be aware of how your actions affect those around you. Horses can teach us so much about ourselves and others just by understanding the horse’s natural state.
The Scavenger Hunt
What You Need:
Stuffed Animals
Animal Cards (optional)
Buckets (optional)
Barrel (optional)
This is an easy, fun game to play with your riders that can be played in the arena or outside on a sensory trail.
Take a Breath
Happy New Year!
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for life to slow down after a busy holiday season. It can be difficult to come down from the craziness of the holidays and settle back into a routine. Sometimes it feels like it can be difficult to even take a breath. That’s what I want to focus on today.
Working on Core
Core stability is a major benefit of horseback riding. The horse’s movement forces the core to engage so the rider can sit up on the horse’s back. There are a number of ways to work on strengthening a rider’s core so I’ll start with just a few.
