Raised In A Barn – Pt 2
Another guest post from Eleanor D. Van Natta over at Sage By Nature. If you haven’t already, be sure to read Part 1, and you can find more of her writing on her horse blog.
Image from crimfants
Sometimes the Best Lessons Are Taught By Those Equines
I am very diligent, however, in keeping my girls safe, especially from other horses with whom I do not have a special bond.
I have also tried to instill a sense of safety awareness in my girls when it comes to horses – like not walking behind a horse – without creating undue fear of horses.
My biggest success in this area, however, came quite unexpectedly one day, and the lesson was taught by Sage herself.
Sage’s Dirty Lesson
Image from mugley
When my first child was three years old, she walked behind Sage for the umpteenth time and at that very moment Sage lifted her tail and let out a stream of diarrhea. The timing was so excellent, and my daughter was so shocked, that it left a very lasting impression.
It helped, too, that she had to be hosed down in the middle of winter. Since that day she has been very, very careful about walking behind horses. That kind of timing, however, comes once in a blue moon, so how do you keep your kids safe and occupied when you go to the barn to see your horse?
I have never been able to just lock them in a stall, which has been seriously suggested, but I figure it just wasn’t worth the screaming that would ensue. So I rely on the next best things – distraction and diversion.
Planning Ahead
Image from tanakawho
These are usually great methods to use with children, especially at a barn. I keep a tote bag full of flash cards, plastic horses, a plastic barn, little people and other plastic animals in the tack room at the barn.
Most of the time my kids are occupied and happy playing with these toys in an out of the way area. If not, it means that they are hungry or cold, and so I take care of those issues too. My girls are constant grazers like my horse, so I am always prepared for “I’m hungry mom”.
Encourage Imagination
We have also used sticks, flags, whips, and any other items that can be ridden around the barn as pretend horses. Getting exercise, sunshine, and fresh air are all added benefits of bringing your children to the barn.
The winters here are cold and wet so the girls usually end up riding only in the late Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Image from Dr. Max
However, they have learned that horses are not just about hopping up into the saddle and going for a ride.
Something To Learn Every Day
Horses mean learning how to communicate with a 1000 pound animal, shoveling manure, sweeping, getting hay, grooming, unconditional love, joy, laughter, occasional tears, and everything else that goes along with being a horse owner (including the random bouts of diarrhea).
Now if I could just get my kids to clean their room at home.
About Eleanor
Eleanor Van Natta is a wife, a mother of two little girls, and a caretaker to one dog, one cat, and one horse. She has a Zoology degree from the University of CA, Davis, and prior to becoming a stay at home mom she had a career in environmental and pharmaceutical sales. You can find more of her writing on her website: Sage By Nature.
Read more by Eleanor
For Better or Worse – As Long As I Can Have My Horse
Learning From Wild Horses – Part 1, Part 2 & Part 3.