ABC Horsemanship
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There are some important things to keep in mind and consider if you are seeking riding lessons for Little Tikes (5-8 year old) and people with special needs, regardless of age.
1. Safety 2. Attention span 3. Physical Ability At 4C we have a flexible curriculum that allows each student to progress at their own rate. We use the ABCs of riding. A - Attention B - Balance C - Confidence Our lessons can range from 15 minutes to one hour depending on the attention span of the student. Adults are required to stay and observe for the entire lesson and will be required to participate as a side-walker for the beginning lessons until we are confident that the student can balance on their own. |
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Benefits of horsemanship for young children
Winston Churchill was famously quoted as saying, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.”
Riding a horse gets children outdoors, works many muscles and is great exercise, requiring strength, stamina and co-ordination, making it an ideal physical activity to support improved health and fitness for children of all ages. It can also help to reduce anxiety and, as children bond with their horse, it can have beneficial psychological effects as well – horse riding is often used as therapy for children with disabilities.
Children learn many great lessons such as dealing with fear, empathy, perseverance, rewards – all of which will serve them in the future.
They can also learn patience and the value of friendship and hard work, as well as a healthy respect for animals and how to behave around them. Horse riding requires patience and determination to succeed.
Teaching children to ride can help develop a lifelong passion for horses and boost their confidence in learning how to care for them and groom them. Riding can help children of all ages and abilities and that bond and interaction with their horse can be an amazing and loyal friendship which can also boost their confidence in social situations.
At 4C Farm students are also introduced to mindfulness. Mindfulness has been proven to lower stress levels, improve attention and focus, reduce anxiety, increase body satisfaction and improve memory. We begin developing greater self-awareness, by becoming "mindful" of what our bodies are telling us, our own body language, our tone when we speak, our touch, and our overall demeanor while working with our horses. We learn how our feelings can effect our body language and our responses. Becoming mindful takes practice but we get the opportunity to do just that every lesson.
Winston Churchill was famously quoted as saying, “The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.”
Riding a horse gets children outdoors, works many muscles and is great exercise, requiring strength, stamina and co-ordination, making it an ideal physical activity to support improved health and fitness for children of all ages. It can also help to reduce anxiety and, as children bond with their horse, it can have beneficial psychological effects as well – horse riding is often used as therapy for children with disabilities.
Children learn many great lessons such as dealing with fear, empathy, perseverance, rewards – all of which will serve them in the future.
They can also learn patience and the value of friendship and hard work, as well as a healthy respect for animals and how to behave around them. Horse riding requires patience and determination to succeed.
Teaching children to ride can help develop a lifelong passion for horses and boost their confidence in learning how to care for them and groom them. Riding can help children of all ages and abilities and that bond and interaction with their horse can be an amazing and loyal friendship which can also boost their confidence in social situations.
At 4C Farm students are also introduced to mindfulness. Mindfulness has been proven to lower stress levels, improve attention and focus, reduce anxiety, increase body satisfaction and improve memory. We begin developing greater self-awareness, by becoming "mindful" of what our bodies are telling us, our own body language, our tone when we speak, our touch, and our overall demeanor while working with our horses. We learn how our feelings can effect our body language and our responses. Becoming mindful takes practice but we get the opportunity to do just that every lesson.
Release of Liability
As a participant (or parent or legal guardian of a participant), you must acknowledge and understand that horseback riding and being around horses are dangerous activities which can result in injury and death. You (or my heirs, assigns, or next of kin) will not sue or make a claim against 4C FARM (its officials, employees, agents, licensees and/or volunteers) for injuries and/or damages that may occur as a result of involvement in horseback riding, horseback riding instruction, handling, or being on or near horses or ponies on the property of 4C FARM, or any other activity at 4C FARM. You must release, indemnify, and hold harmless 4C Farm from all losses, damages, judgments, costs, and attorneys’ fees that may occur as a result of injury and related claims by any parties, even if arising from the negligence of 4C Farm. Prior to lessons you must read all applicable rules regarding protective equipment, and acknowledge that you understand that you are required to wear protective equipment, although you also understand that no protective equipment can guard against all injuries. You must acknowledge that you understand that risks are involved in riding, handling, or being on or near horses and ponies (including, but not limited to falling off of a horse or being kicked by a horse), and sign an agreement of acknowledgement. You must take full responsibility in the event of any injury.
WARNING: Under New Hampshire law, an equine professional or activity sponsor, or any other person engaged in an equine activity is not liable for an injury to or the death of anyone participating in an equine activity resulting from their inherent risks (HB 793).
Photography
4C Farm often takes photos and videos during lessons for the benefit of 4C Farm marketing on websites, social media sites, print and electronic publication. You will be asked to sign a release allowing 4C Farm for that purpose.
As a participant (or parent or legal guardian of a participant), you must acknowledge and understand that horseback riding and being around horses are dangerous activities which can result in injury and death. You (or my heirs, assigns, or next of kin) will not sue or make a claim against 4C FARM (its officials, employees, agents, licensees and/or volunteers) for injuries and/or damages that may occur as a result of involvement in horseback riding, horseback riding instruction, handling, or being on or near horses or ponies on the property of 4C FARM, or any other activity at 4C FARM. You must release, indemnify, and hold harmless 4C Farm from all losses, damages, judgments, costs, and attorneys’ fees that may occur as a result of injury and related claims by any parties, even if arising from the negligence of 4C Farm. Prior to lessons you must read all applicable rules regarding protective equipment, and acknowledge that you understand that you are required to wear protective equipment, although you also understand that no protective equipment can guard against all injuries. You must acknowledge that you understand that risks are involved in riding, handling, or being on or near horses and ponies (including, but not limited to falling off of a horse or being kicked by a horse), and sign an agreement of acknowledgement. You must take full responsibility in the event of any injury.
WARNING: Under New Hampshire law, an equine professional or activity sponsor, or any other person engaged in an equine activity is not liable for an injury to or the death of anyone participating in an equine activity resulting from their inherent risks (HB 793).
Photography
4C Farm often takes photos and videos during lessons for the benefit of 4C Farm marketing on websites, social media sites, print and electronic publication. You will be asked to sign a release allowing 4C Farm for that purpose.
