Horsemanship sessions for teens

REBEL Equestrian at Berringa have started a teen horsemanship group this term which is encouraging older children to learn about horse training.

There are eight spots available in the riding group with sessions running each second Saturday from 2pm until 4pm.

“We’ve sort of had a focus on the younger kids since we’ve started,” said owner Sarah Walkerden.

“Over the school holiday program, we had a couple of teenage boys join us and they fell in love with the horses and wanted to continue.

“We figured it would be better to separate them out from the younger kids.”

Beginners as well as more experienced riders are welcome to join the sessions.

“We teach everything from the ground up basically and we can adjust each lesson and session to the riders that are in front of us,” said Ms Walkerden.

“My husband and I run the sessions together so there are two of us on the ground helping and we give each child individual attention.”

Unlike the groups for younger children, these sessions have a greater focus on horse training and psychology.

“Teenagers tend to be a bit more independent when handling their own horses,” said Ms Walkerden.

“So, if they do go on to buy a horse, they can do a lot more themselves.”

Ms Walkerden said working with horses is a great way for teenagers to learn life skills.

“There’s so many life skills that horses can teach, and it’s done in a more subtle way, so teenagers don’t necessary realise what the horse is teaching them,” she said.

“It’s thinks like leadership, patience, empathy, connection.”

To book a class visit rebelequestriancentre.square.site.