It made me believe that I can truly do anything if I want to. That was a massive, huge, skyrocketing experience that changed my orientation to horses and riding, but also myself. “Riding and anything that you’re learning, any skill, you go through waves.
Georges within the span of under a year, qualifying for the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in Kentucky. With a lot of hard work, Erica moved quickly from low-level dressage to Prix St. “Dressage is really where I found my calling.” Feeling confident - on and off the horse She has been privately coached in western and dressage and some jumping. She started riding when she was in grade one.
She talks them through things that they can try in order to get the response they need from the horse.”Įrica has trained many horses, beginning with Bella, who her father bought as a two-year-old horse when Erica was just 12 years old. She doesn’t just say - sit there, heels down, sit up.
SKY HAVEN RETREAT AND EQUINE EXPERIENCE HOW TO
“Erica’s good at talking riders through what to do and how to think. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW)ĭeborah points out that this background allows Erica to understand where the horse is coming from, knowledge that she can pass along to her students. Erica is a skilled animal trainer, training the Sky Haven horses and dog Khaleesi. “It’s not just about teaching dressage or hunter jumper or western,” she notes., “It’s about teaching kids how to ride safely and effectively and how to communicate with their horse to develop trust, and so that the horse wants to listen and be your partner.”Įrica has also studied equine massage, laser therapy, and Tellington TTouch - a way of touching horses that produces a relaxation response. She has also studied in California under Monty Roberts, the original horse whisperer, and she teaches kids to train and communicate with the horse while they ride. (Photo: Sky Haven Equestrian)Įrica is a certified coach under Equine Canada and the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). “It really encourages self-awareness, mindfulness, and awareness of the other.” Learning to communicate with horses Building a relationship with a horse teaches kids both confidence and empathy. It’s a lesson that has implications well beyond the paddock. Conversely, you need to raise your energy level to encourage a horse to get moving that is lazy.” “If the horse’s energy level is high, its energy level has to go down so you have to learn to modulate that. Having such a large animal echo their behaviour gets kids to focus on how their energy affects the animal.
“The child learns how it affects the horse, because the horse mirrors what the child’s activity or energy is in a big way.” Learning how to control a horse teaches kids to be assertive and mindful of their actions. On the other hand, some kids are too confident and they need to learn respect and self-awareness.” They learn how to be brave and to be a leader. “Some kids need to learn how to be stronger with their horse to make the horse actually listen. Interacting with horses is a great way for kids to become more assertive. Interacting with horses can be an important lesson for young riders. Some of the biggest gains Erica sees at camp go beyond horsemanship. You make more progress riding once a day for five days than you do riding once a week for five weeks.” Self-awareness Riding once a week compared to every day in a week. (Photo: Eva Fisher / kawarthaNOW) Skill developmentĪttending horse camp can be a great way for kids and teens who are serious about riding to rapidly improve their skills.ĭeborah notices this in every camp session.
Sky Haven Equestrian Centre owner Deborah Flak and head coach Erica Flak. The focus is on riding and horse care, but there is much more to do at Sky Haven.Īrts and crafts, swimming in the large double pool, games, scavenger hunts, trail rides, and use of outdoor play equipment are mixed in with lessons on and off the horse. Sky Haven Equestrian offers summer day camps for kids and teens. Owner Deborah Flak and co-owner and head coach Erica Flak sat down with me to explain how living and working with horses allows kids to get more in touch with themselves and the world around them. Sky Haven Equestrian Centre, located in the beautiful rolling hills of Bethany, offers a summer day camp experience that doesn’t just teach young riders horse skills: it teaches life skills. Sky Haven Equestrian Centre in Bethany offer lessons on and off the horse.
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