Mylestone Stables

Yes!

💛I’m Going to Let Your Child Struggle 💛

When your child comes for lessons with me, I’m going to let them struggle sometimes.

They may have never fastened a buckle on a piece of tack. A saddle might be heavy and awkward. Their lead rope may be a tangled mess. And something that would take me ten seconds might take them five minutes.

I’m not going to immediately step in and do it for them. *Unless its a safety issue.*

Because someday, I want your child to walk into the barn, catch their own horse, tack up, and head out feeling completely confident in their own abilities.

Why?

Because they’re learning that they can do hard things.

So yes, I’ll help when something is beyond a child's physical ability. I’ll encourage, demonstrate, and keep them safe.

But when they *can* do it? I’m going to give them the time to fumble with the buckle. Untangle the rope. Try again. And figure it out.

Parents, I know watching that can be hard. You’ll want to jump in and make it easier.

But sometimes the greatest gift we can give a child is not making the hard thing easier.

It’s standing beside them long enough for them to discover:

“I can do this myself.”

💙 ~Abbie

5 years old ⏩ 18 years old!

As Lauren’s Mom said, “It’s the end of an era”.

After 13 years of weekly riding lessons with Montana, Lauren had her last lesson this past Friday before heading off to college. Wishing Lauren all the best in her new adventure (and reminding her she better come visit when she’s home!)

Good luck, Lauren! We’ll miss you!

How you treat your horse is far more important than what you win with your horse.

Of course, proper diet and care is important. He should be getting appropriate grain, hay, any needed supplements, dental care, farrier, vet, chiro, body work, etc, etc. (Congratulations, you’re now broke.)

Turn him out with his friends and let them be horses.

Give them a cool fan to stand in front of on a hot day.

Allow them a safe shelter during a lightning storm.

But what about his mental health? Just like people, if horses are not mentally and emotionally healthy, odds are their physical health is struggling, too.

Your relationship means a lot more to him than you might think. He reads you like a book. He knows when you’re having a good, bad or ugly day. Remember he’s your friend. Understand he’s trying, too. Realize he’s doing his best with how he feels today. Horses can have bad days, too.

Don’t forget to praise him and thank him for his try and he will try harder tomorrow. Because just like you would feel appreciated, so does he. And that makes all of the difference.

Hug your horse, every day.

🌻 Cara Blanchard

📸 Max & Maxwell: Equestrian Photography

Wisdom Wednesday 💭

Yes! 👏

Where are my people? 💞