Families create awesome bonds with horses
RUIMSIG – Families enjoy an informative programme recently which showcased the necessary skills needed to develop a connection with a horse...
A small group of adventurous families recently received theoretical and hands-on experience on how to develop a relationship with a horse during a horsemanship programme held at Earth Centre by the South African Riding for the Disabled Association (Sarda).
The programme, designed to create awareness and empower people about horses, saw the families undergo basic horse training and coaching sessions on how to handle a horse.
Natalie Stobaus, the equine co-ordinator of the programme, dived deep into the course’s essence. “The aim is to develop awareness of [self] in relationship with the horse. We explore personal boundaries by inviting and creating movement, whereby different manners of leading a horse is developed.”
A first-time participant, Elmarie Lahoud, who bonded well with her training horse, said communication was key in developing a connection with her horse. “I needed to make a connection and read the communication without forcing the horse to do something,” Lahoud said, as she followed instructions from Stobaus.
Lahoud added that the experience was fascinating and that she would take a lot from the training.
Stobaus commended the families for their varying levels of participation and promised to host other similar events in the new year.
