Many young children absolutely love horses and dream of being able to play with them, own them, or ride them. For urban children, owning a horse is usually not possible. Instead, parents must find other ways to allow children to satisfy their curiosity of equines. There are many different ways to expose children to horses, with the following being some of the easiest and most affordable options.
Petting Zoos
Petting zoos frequently pop up during the warmer months, especially when local fairs, crafting events, and large conventions pop up. Petting zoos are perfect for delighting children in between many of the more adult oriented activities, such as shopping or demonstrations. Petting zoos generally offer ponies or miniature horses, goats, rabbits, rodents, and more for children to interact with. Some also offer pony rides, which is the perfect opportunity for a child to experience their first horseback ride.
Visiting Rescues
Rescues are often filled with loving horses who are in need of homes. By bringing a child to a rescue, he or she can meet many different horses, most of which will be interested in a few loving strokes by a starry eyed child. Rescues generally do not have the time or man power to invest in providing each animal with plenty of one-on-one attention. Contact local rescues to see if they are in need of any affectionate volunteers to provide the horses with love.
Attending Horse Shows
Horse shows bring together some of the best specimens of each breed, all competing for best in show or to win a particular sport. Performance horses may jump poles or speed around barrels, while dressage horses may strut around the ring looking their best. This might not be an opportunity for a child to directly interact with the horses, but it is perfect for children who are interested in horsemanship and sports.
Horses are beautiful, powerful animals that are loved by children across the world. When it’s clear that a child will not get to experience having a horse as a pet, bringing them into an equine environment will definitely help to make them happy.