Kristi Wilson instructs one of her students on the finer points of handling a horse,
as she uses her minature horses in teaching this summer's camp.

 

"Little Horses For Little People"
At Local Horse Camp

by: Bobby McDonald

 

Kristi Wilson teaches her classes beneath the scenic oaks, on her farm, in the Mahoney Community
of Hopkins County.

 

On Thursday morning, it was "pint-sized" horses for "pint-sized" kids, at the summer Horse Camp, being conducted at Silver Dale Farm, in Mahoney Community, on CR-3504.
Owner, Kristi Wilson, is a minature horse breeder, as well as owning and showing regular sized horses. "The minatures, which I've shown and bred for years, are the ideal tool to use in teaching small children how to handle a horse," expressed Kristi. "They are more their size and they can learn to handle them properly, before advancing to a larger animal. I find them a definite advantage when working with small children. They're not intimidated by size!"

Kriti is conducting four horse camps this summer, and is finishing-up her third camp. Next week, will be the last camp offered at her Silver Dale Farm, in the scenic area of the Mahoney Community. Beneath the giant oak trees, Thursday morning's hot temperatures seemed to disappear as youth lead the minatures around in circles, and "put them through their paces" of trotting, walking, and cantering.

 

Students at the camp learn the proper handling and care of horses, using a
"pint-sized" animal, that is more their size.

 

 

"I've been involved with horses for my entire life," explained Kristi. "I started riding and showing horses about the time I learned to walk and wouldn't trade the experience for anything, thus I strive to teach the students the same love and devotion for horses. I've shown horses in almost all of the 50 states and continue to love working with horses and kids!"

Kristi moved to Hopkins County from Loveland, Colorado, and enjoys her new life here, with horses. She is also an avid collector of Breyer Model Horses, and serves as a dealer for this area. "I've collected them, like so many others, since I was a small child and continue to add to my collection," advised Kristi. "I don't even want to count how many I have!"

 

After they have learned the skills on minature models, students advance to larger horses, at
the Silver Dale Farm camp.

 

 

 

"My daughter, Emma, 'came out of the womb' wanting a horse," explained Sulphur Springs resident, Jessica Worth. "I don't even have an idea where she developed her great love for horse, because we didn't have them when she was little. About the only thing that I can figure-out is that there is some 'throw-back' to when Brooke Newsome Howard and I rode horses when we were teenagers! Regardless, Kristi's camp this summer was an answer to our prayers, as she can learn the proper way to handle the Welsh Pony we've purchased for her and receive some proper instruction, that will be valuable as a new horse owner!"

 

Kristi Wilson has a number of minature horses that she can use to teach smaller children
the love of caring, riding, and grooming horses.

 

"Emma is learning this summer and has plans to come to Kristi's camp next week and bring her new horse with her," advised Jessica. "Hopefully, the two of them can correct a few 'bad habits' and she can continue to expand her knowledge and love for horses! Kristi is a great teacher and continues to show her things she needs to know about her horse!"

 

Making friends for life, at Horse Camp......

 

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