Indoor Fun for the Young Equestrian

Let’s face it, there are times your little equestrians may not be able to head to the barn and need to stay home instead. Much like a horse on stall rest, our children require mental stimulation and structured physical activity to stay happy and healthy! Check out our equine-inspired indoor activity suggestions to help your child bust boredom in times of inclement weather or, you know, in times of quarantine.

Read a Book! We know, reading may not be on the top of your child’s list of favorite things to do… but hear us out. Kids love learning about horses. If they can’t be at the barn, encourage them to immerse themselves in a book written just for young equestrians and horse enthusiasts. We carry a wide variety of books for the young rider including work books, coloring books, novels, and reference books. We often recommend the Horse Fun: Facts and Activities for Horse-Crazy Kids; with its colorful illustrations and wide range of topics covered, it captivates their attention and encourages them to learn everything they can about horses!

Stack of horse-themed kids' books

A Course of Fences: Set up a course of fences in your basement, or other open area of your home, and let your child go wild. Anything can be a jump, from broomsticks to towels gently laid across the floor. To discourage high speed and dangerous jumping, take a page from the hunter judges’ playbook and award extra points for style, grace, and consistent pacing.

Pony Playtime: Stuffed animals may not be the ideal substitute for a living, breathing pony, but with a bit of imagination, they can still be a whole lot of fun! We love the Crafty Ponies with their quality craftsmanship and larger than life personalities. They come with a wide range of tack, clothing, accessories and books to make playtime more realistic. These toys also focus on an educational aspect with instructional manuals that teach your child how to properly blanket their pony, lead their pony, lunge their pony, braid manes and tails and so much more.

Make Horse Treats: Try whipping up a fabulous batch of horse cookies to share with your favorite equine companion the next time you get to venture out to the barn. Not only is baking a great way to connect with your child and enjoy the time together, it is also a great way to integrate math into their daily lives. Learning and horse pampering? What could be better! Check out our fabulous, fresh horse cookie recipe here.

Yoga: Get the wiggles out and help your child access his or her inner zen with a yoga class. There are many great instructional videos on YouTube that will guide your child through a class, and some yoga studios offer live streaming class options as well. Consider joining in yourself. Many equestrians find that yoga helps to build balance and foster flexibility in the saddle.

Woman and daughter doing yoga together

Ready, Set, Gallop: With a few simple cuts and only a handful of materials, you can transform a foam pool noodle into a fantastic hobby horse that is willing to be ridden around the house and the yard. Making the pony noodles is half the fun and your child will enjoy thoroughly decorating his or her mount. Check out a full tutorial to make your own pool noodle hobby horse here

Model Horse Show Rehearsal: Encourage your child to set up a model horse performance scene with their model horses. At model horse shows, performance classes are judged on realism and attention to detail. Help your child research the division they are trying to replicate to make sure that the tack is legal and the horse is properly equipped for the task. Then, set your child up with craft supplies and extra cardboard to build props and scenery elements.

Cleaning Tack: Now is the perfect time to give your tack the care and attention that it needs. Set up a tack cleaning station in your basement or bathroom and encourage your child to scrub away. We recommend putting down a piece of plastic sheeting (or an old shower curtain) to protect your floors from the oil found in the cleaning products. Learn more about cleaning your tack on our blog post, TLC: Tack Love and Care.

Person cleaning an English saddle

Get Crafty: Inspire your child to take an interest in the arts and have some hands-on fun. Try painting clean horseshoes and/or decorating them with feathers and sequins to make a lucky decoration for the barn or their bedroom. Or, have your child paint a piece of wood for a one-of-kind stall plate for their pony pal.

Practice Showmanship: Unusual times call for unusual measures. Recruit your dog to help your child master those showmanship skills. Work on showmanship patterns, setting up for the judge, and the quartering system. Not only is this a great skill building exercise, it’s also very entertaining to watch!

How are you keeping your child entertained? We would love to hear your tips and tricks! Comment below with your innovative ideas and activities. We will keep adding to the list throughout the COVID-19 crisis as a helpful resource for parents and caregivers everywhere.

Leave a Comment