Originally published in TEACH Magazine, May/June 2023 Issue
By Kelsey McCallum
Immerse your students in the wonderful world of horses through these exciting equine field trips!
Learning how to ride a horse can have many benefits for kids. It helps them build self-confidence, while also improving their strength, coordination, and balance. By taking care of these majestic animals, children are taught the importance of responsibility and a good work ethic. They also develop empathy as they bond with the horses, and gain valuable communication and leadership skills through riding together. Horseback riding is a great way to relieve stress and pent-up energy too. With so many positive takeaways, there’s no better time to get kids outside and into some saddles. Check out these six spectacular field trips across Canada and the U.S. and start riding today.
Amazing Gaits Equestrian Center
Theodore, AL
Amazing Gaits’ Educational Riding Field Trip is interactive, customizable, and plenty of fun. Students will learn about horse care and nutrition, pasture maintenance, and more, while having an opportunity to ride the horses too.
A&T Equestrian
Surrey, BC
At A&T Equestrian, customizable programs are available for elementary school students. Along with horseback riding, other educational opportunities can include: practicing how to lead and handle horses, learning about grooming and tacking, and understanding feeding and equine care.
Circle R Ranch
Delaware, ON
The Western Horseback Riding trip at Circle R Ranch is suitable for Grades 4–12, and provides students with the unique opportunity to take a leisurely ride across the ranch’s 80-hectare trail system. Each rider is paired with a horse that is best suited to their age and riding ability, and then given a lesson about the basics of horsemanship before following the ranch’s qualified instructors onto the trail.
Forest View Farms
Tinley Park, IL
Forest View Farms offers 30-minute and 1-hour rides for students in Grades 4 and up. Each student is paired with a horse that matches their skill level, before setting off on exciting trail rides that wind through the picturesque Cook County Forest Preserve. Pony rides for students in Grades K–3 are also available on the farm.
Mountain Trail Rides
Davis, WV
Students can take in the unparalleled beauty of Canaan Valley on horseback with the help of Mountain Trail Rides. Specializing in beginners and groups, Mountain Trail Rides provides instructions about horse behaviour and riding safety for all visitors. An age-specific curriculum is available, and can be customized to emphasize certain topics, upon request. Groups of 15 or more students receive a discount.
Sunset Trails Stables
Lee’s Summit, MO
These field trips provide an exciting introduction to the world of horses. Students will learn about horse behaviour and breeds, how to keep horses healthy, how to groom them, and more. Sunset Trails offers optional horse rides as well, where students are taught about proper riding positions and safety, and also how to mount and dismount, and how to steer, etc.
Kelsey McCallum is an Associate Editor for TEACH Magazine. She holds a BSc from the University of Guelph and a Graduate Certificate from Centennial College. She currently lives in Toronto, ON, with her partner and their cat, Banksy.
