Riding horses in suburbia

Our daughters' interest in horses began early, on our infrequent trips to visit my father-in-law's family out in Oklahoma. One of my wife's cousins would saddle up one of her horses and would lead the horse around the yard with the girls on top. Eventually, they began to express interest in learning to ride themselves, so we began enrolling them in a horse riding summer day camp. After a bit of research, we discovered that there is a riding farm not far from our house, and for Christmas we promised them each three months of weekly riding lessons.

Somehow, those three months of lessons has since turned into five (and counting). We are paid through the end of June, and while we keep trying to beg off for the summer, citing a busy travel schedule, the owner of the farm is determined to keep us coming. She's promising to do whatever it takes to fit the lessons in around our schedule. She's told us that if we quit, she can't promise that there will be open slots for the girls to come back to in the fall. My wife and I are somewhat bemused about this, since we really aren't sure we want our daughters' interest in riding to become too serious. We already have one expensive hobby (i.e., skiing) and really aren't looking for another. We were hoping that a break for the summer might help distance the girls from the horses and allow them to explore other interests.

I sympathize with the farm owner. Her profit margins are slim and getting pinched rapidly by the rising price of feed for the animals and the taxes on this piece of valuable real estate in the middle of the suburbs. We represent steady income that she desperately needs to try to keep the business alive. Honestly, I suspect that it is ultimately a futile battle, but I'm not sure she's ready to admit that, even to herself.

Besides, I definitely see the benefits my daughters have gotten from these lessons. They have become quite comfortable around the animals, and it has boosted their confidence in ways that sometimes show up in other situations. I guess there's something about being able to control an animal that's bigger than you are that is empowering.

So, I guess we'll probably let them continue with their riding lessons for the time being. They have already asked if they can have their own horses, but what little girl doesn't want a horse at some point? As long as they don't get to serious about wanting one, I don't see any harm there. I'm also curious to see how much they enjoy riding the horses when the heat and humidity of the summer really settle in. Meanwhile, I guess I'll spend an hour each week at the farm, watching them ride.

Upper right - The sign on the barn at the farm where my daughters ride.
Middle left - My younger daughter leads her pony from the barn out to the riding ring.
Lower right - My older daughter practices posting.