By Dylan McDonough
My family recently enjoyed a Koinonia Homeschool Co-op field trip at Karin’s Horse Connection & Legacy Stables in Caledonia, Michigan. They cater to all types of riders but especially inexperienced horse riders with 20 well-trained, gentle horses.
At the introductory event, everyone met up in the tent arena. Peanut, a miniature horse, was led in to jump over a horse vaulting pole. The pole could be lowered and raised. We started with the pole on the ground. All of the kids jumped over the pole and then Peanut jumped over. They continued to raise the height and the kids and Peanut kept jumping higher and higher over the pole. At the highest point the bar was raised, Peanut just went under, instead of trying to jump over a pole taller than he was.
We then split into four groups. Our group started off in the games section. We went in a horse pen. First our leader divided us into two small teams. Amongst ourselves we divided up into two people couples. Our leader showed us with a reign how one person can act like a horse and the other person the rider. Each separate couple raced the other couple’s group from the other team. After that we played soccer with two huge blow-up soccer balls that horses normally use. But the most exciting game was lassoing a bale of hay with a saddle on it. We were taught how to make the loop and swing the rope around. It was hard at first, but soon I got the knack of it.
When it was time to change activities our group went into the arena to ride horses. I was so excited! Diamond and Patrick were the horses we rode. Each person got two rides around half of the arena. I could not believe I was finally riding a horse for the first time in my life. On my rides I called out, “The British are coming! The British are coming!” Paul Revere himself would have been proud.
Next, on the other half of the arena we practiced vaulting. Karin showed us the different options of vaulting. Vaulting is a combination and dance and gymnastics on a horse. Karin showed us the optional moves we could do on our ride. We could turn around and lie down on the horse or put our feet up in the air. There were many more tricks to do, but I stuck with sitting on the horse backwards.
After my turn, some other people and I went on the barrel practice horses to perfect our skills.
For our last rotation, our group learned how to groom a horse. There are four different kinds of brushes. There is a shedding brush that has metal teeth, a brush that feels like a massage to the horse, a comb for the mane and one for the tail. I got to brush Peanut. By the time my group got to do it, the horses were already pretty clean.
Outside the barn we saw a horse named Charlie grazing. We learned he was in the movie “The Horse Dancer”. Karin was also in the movie. You can watch this film on Netflix.
When all the groups met back in the tent arena, Karin told us about birthday parties and other events you can have at Legacy Stables. As we finished, we took a group photo. I have always wanted to ride a horse and I am glad I did, especially at Legacy Stables. I would like to continue to learn to ride a horse. Horses are an awe inspiring creation of God.
