A program offered by Banff Trail Riders is teaching kids not only to ride horses, but about the amount of work that goes into caring for them as well.
For two days each year, kids between seven and 12 years of age learn to brush, saddle and ride a horse at Banff’s Warner Stables as part of Banff Trail Riders’ Kids Learn to Ride Community Program.
“The precedence behind the program, to keep it simple, really is just to share a love of horses with kids in the community,” said Jolene Brewster, volunteer host of the program.
Brewster said most parents, when asked what they wanted their kids to learn from the program, replied that all little girls want a pony, but they don’t understand how much work it is. The program aims to teach children how to take care of the horses as well as to ride.
“They are this huge, majestic animal that lets you ride them, but you have to pick up their feet and clean them out,” said Brewster. “I mean, it is a big responsibility, but there’s an honour in that partnership which I think is why horses are so exciting.”
On the first of two days the kids learn groundwork such as how to approach and walk around the horses safely, how to brush them and how to saddle them. Then each kid is provided their own horse and they learn the basics such as how to stop, go, and turn.
The second day starts much the same with children brushing and saddling the horses. Then the kids get on their horses and a quick warmup is done in the arena. Following the warmup, they head out on the trails into the mountains for a short trail ride at a comfortable pace.
The program is community-centric, offered to kids from Banff and Canmore, and the staff volunteered their time to help out.
“They all thought it was a great idea, and I think that’s because we’ve all been kids and we know how awesome that experience was as a kid. So they’re really happy to assist in contributing to that and sharing that,” said Brewster.
The program runs for two days, each day a week apart. Brewster said as of now there are no plans to add more days as operations for the Banff Trail Riders are demanding during the summer months.
The group is keeping the program simple to ensure it has the staff and resources to continue with the program annually and so they can continue to reach out and give kids an opportunity and “it never becomes so much that it just becomes impossible for us.”
“I am passionate about this,” said Brewster. “I have a little three year old, and I want nothing more than to share these special experiences with her in life, and doing that for other kids right now is very close to my heart.”
