Kids on the Trail

I was worried. Twentytwo kids aged seven to fourteen years old all at once are you kidding me?! I had taught horse lore to kids and adults of all ages but never to such a large herd. Their horses with whoknowswhat issues to deal with were also added to the mix as were the 20 parents of these high maintenance kids and horses.
As I drove into the Yukon recreation centre where the fourday 4H program was going to take place I thought of a hockey coach I once knew and his comment about parents. When I asked him if he was going to coach the Major Midget team another year his response was The only way Ill ever coach again is if I get a team of orphans.

I told myself Okay calm down. Youre being paid well to do a job. And dont judge a book by its cover. Still the first thing I did was head over to the holding corrals. Maybe you cant judge a book by its cover but I make my living judging the trail partner under the horses skin.
Although experienced in teaching children and adults of all ages the author was more than a touch apprehensive about giving a clinic to 22 kids and their horses all at once!
Right away I noticed a surprising level of common sense. The horses were kidsize and appeared calm and sturdy with a good sprinkling of beenthereanddonethat old timers. When a kids horse shows some age I dont feel bad for the horse I feel good for the kid.
And the pleasant surprises did not stop there. That famous Yukon hospitality is a reality and it was a joy getting to know the kids parents and leaders. It was a lovely fourday event combining teaching riding work and fun and a learning experience for all of us. Now lets talk about those kids and their horses on the trail.
First consider that the most important aspect of kids on the trail is matching rider with horse. We always talk about doing things right the right training riding method gear and discipline but there is no escaping the fact that kids will be kids. They do not have the physical size and strength of an adult the same ability to discipline the same control or the same focus and concentration to work through issues. Kids want a horse buddy so they can