Children are very fond of animals, but it is only a few domestic animals that usually come across in their everyday life. It is through story books and pictures that children develop a liking for certain animals. One such animal that features in several stories is the gallant horse. In order to bring the children closer to animal life and befriend this especially magnificent creature, Staford School conducted a horseback riding activity for the tiny tots on 25th September.
The pre primary children were thrilled to see a horse in the school campus and were eager to take a horse ride. However, each child’s response to seeing the horses at such proximity was different. Some children were taken aback by the sheer size of the animal, its long legs and swishing tail. While most children were very excited, a few of them felt nervous and moved back, while many others wanted to touch and feel the horse. After spending sometime familiarizing themselves with the horse and observing other children, most of the children were eager to get on to the horse’s back and enjoy the ride. Once on the horse’s back or in the cart, children enjoyed themselves thoroughly and were not ready to alight from the horse. The tonga ride was a hit and the children even learnt how to control the horse and enjoy the ride.
Teaching the children that the horse is a friendly domestic animal and allowing them to experience it first hand- is a world of a difference. The children will not forget what they have experienced. In fact it became easier for the them to understand and learn about the horse’s food habits, behaviour, its home- the stable, and the work it does to help man in his endeavors. With this activity we hope to bring children closer to nature, to animals, and to life in general. We hope they will be able to learn the responsibility of caring for animals and learn to appreciate life in its various forms.