Horsemanship and riding lessons for keiki and adults in Waimea
Aloha Lalamilo Horse Program Parents,
What a semester we have had! Riders from pre-k through gray have learned about basic horsemanship and worked on their skills in the saddle in rain and shine, at home and at the horse show. We aunties are just as proud of beginners figuring out how to buckle a girth correctly– meaning with consideration for the horse’s sensitivities as well as how the buckle itself actually works– as we are of the students who jumped a course and earned a ribbon at a show. We see how much potential all of our students have, and are looking forward to seeing more hard work and growth in the future.
Our lesson program will continue our close relationship with Lalamilo Saddle Club. If you have not formally joined LSC you should at least subscribe to the newsletters so that you can see what opportunities are on the horizon. Auntie Ashley is the secretary for that organization. Make sure she has your email address.
Some of you have asked if we are going to offer a summer term. If you are interested in having your child ride over the summer please text Auntie Ashley and she will see what she can arrange.
All of our students can and should spend time reading horsey books. There are books suitable for the youngest kids, such as the USBorne Guide to Horse and Pony Care and A First Guide To Horse and Pony Care, by Jane Kidd. For medium and older kids we cannot recommend United States Pony Club Manuals by Susan Harris highly enough. D level is the first book, followed by C, B, HA then A. All of our students should have these books. Adults would all be well served to read Centered Riding by Sally Swift. Two print magazines we Aunties love are Western Horseman and Equus. Equine Science is a field of study, and it is never too soon or too late to hit the books. There is a non-profit called We Read Horse Books that has some fun suggestions for summer reading for children: www.WeReadHorseBooks.com.
Some of our students have also expressed interest in leasing a horse, or perhaps in buying one. To be blunt, it is not time to lease a horse until a student has outgrown what the lesson horses have to teach them (yes, horses are teachers, too) and the student has shown an eagerness to want to help out, learn, and do more than just ride. When we aunties agree that a student is ready, we will approach the parent(s) to start the conversation. There is a good article here: https://www.equinelegalsolutions.com/parents-guide.html about the process.
We and our noble steeds look forward to seeing you soon. A hui ho!