It’s no secret that horseback riding is an enjoyable activity for children and adults of all ages. And although it isn’t quite as available of an activity as many horse-lovers and equestrians would like, there are many other ways to get up close and personal with horses. Here are some great ideas for horse-related activities.

Vacations

About 37% of families say that vacations make them happy, making it the activity that makes families most happy, so why not take your family to a place where horses can run free? Countless vacation destinations have wild horses roaming through the streets, and even more have horse carriage rides, which are another great way to get up close and personal with the horses. Zip lining over a horse farm is also another unique way to see spectacular views of your favorite animal.

Petting Zoo

Petting zoos are another great way for your child to get introduced not only to horses but to other four legged animals. Some of them even feature horse shows, which attract visitors and owners of horse farms from all over the country in search of showing the horses off to the general public for judgement. These events are proven to help children understand the unique quality that animals have in nature. When you plan your trip to the petting zoo, make sure your children and family know what to expect. Bring comfortable footwear, plenty of water, and perhaps some snacks as well. See if the owners will let visitors feed the horses during their visits with them; the more they can interact with the horses, the better. If not, let your child visit with the horses as long as they wish, as a true horse-lover would most likely want to stay and visit with the horses all day long! Petting zoos are a great option for those with young children that are too young for horseback riding but still want to be involved with horses in some form.