(Horse) Back-to-Back: Wilderness Kids Students Ride Horses Twice in One Weekend!

Left to right: Oscar, Alex, Lesly, and Adiba sitting confidently on their horse companions as they wait to ride on the trails at Piscataway Horse Farm.

On November 16 and 17, Wilderness Kids facilitated two different trips that gave students the special opportunity to ride a horse!

On Saturday, middle school students headed out to Grovespring Farm in Culpeper, where they each had the chance to practice riding around an equestrian ring. In addition to gaining confidence in the saddle, they experienced brushing and taking care of the animals. The friendly staff helped each student to safely get on and off the horse, and they taught them about the routines and lifestyle that come with caring for such big, smart and thoughtful creatures. The horses certainly loved getting to eat some bonus hay from the hands of the students! The group rode and interacted with both full-sized horses and ponies, so there was something for everyone!

Middle school students learn the ropes from the young instructors at Grovespring Farm.

Left to right starting at the top: Brandon holds a heaping pile of hay, ready to feed one of the horses; David and Grethel show off their brushing skills; James learns how to clean a horse's hoof; Judah picks up some speed, gaining confidence as a rider.

On Sunday, 8 students from Wilderness Kids’ high school club, ACHS Adventures, went on a horseback riding trip of their own. This time, they headed east into Maryland, where the folks at Piscataway Horse Farm took them on an unforgettable adventure around their nature trails. Riding full-sized horses in a long, single-file line, students instantly engaged in the process of learning-by-doing. As the ride went on, they learned techniques for communicating with their horse while riding. The group also learned how to maintain balance on uneven terrain, and the best ways to ride when going uphill and downhill. All the while, they enjoyed traveling through fields and forest, taking in the fresh smell of grass and the peak colors of fall foliage! 

High school students fall in love with horses at Piscataway Horse Farm. From left to right: Wilderness kids staff Riley and Matt pose for a group picture with students Lesly, Adiba, Ja'mea, Kalissa, Ronmy, Walter, Alex, and Oscar; Kalissa showcases her new obsession with horses; Lesly and Adiba pose with their majestic companions.

Afterwards, students spent more quality time with their horses, learning from the knowledgeable instructors about the labor of love required to live on a farm with animals. One theme stuck out for both the high school and the middle school students when learning about horseback riding: riding truly demands a reciprocal relationship, which is hard work, but very rewarding! Wilderness Kids is very grateful that students had the opportunity to learn up-close about responsibility and care in this way.