If you’re like most horse-loving kids, you spend lots of time at the barn when you’re not in school. It’s special to find something that you’re so passionate about, and one way to make your barn time even better is by meeting friends to share it with! There are lots of ways to make friends at the barn, most of which involve learning more about horses in the process.
Take Advantage of Lesson Schedules
One great thing about making friends at the barn is that it’s super easy to start a conversation with someone because you have horses in common. Also, unlike being at school where someone might be anxious about a test or assignment, at the barn, most of the time people are relaxed and in a good mood, making them easy to approach.
There might be other kids that you have already met briefly, seen around the barn, or ridden with in a group lesson, but it’s a great idea to ask your trainer who they think you would get along with. They know the personalities of all of their students very well. For example, if you’re at the barn Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, you could be missing out on meeting some awesome people that usually come out the other days of the week.
There are lots of opportunities to be social at the barn. If you don’t already take semi-private or group lessons, try it out! It is a fun way to meet people, bonding over shared triumphs and challenges while learning from each other and your instructor at the same time.
Participate in Activities
Your barn may also offer day or week-long camps during school breaks, or hold special events like dinners, lectures, or chore days. Attending these lets you meet other kids at your barn without needing to come up with your own plan of what to do or who to ask.
Horse shows, clinics, and trail rides are also a great way to meet people! All of them are a fun way to enjoy the humans and horses from your barn in a different environment. These events last most of the day and are a wonderful opportunity for learning about horses and equestrian sport while connecting with other kids.
Be a Friendly Face
Once you’ve met some people that you would like to get to know better and become friends with, a great place to start is by just being a friendly face. Smile at others in the barn and ask how their rides were, or tell them to “have a good ride!” on their way out to the arena. This will let others know that you are welcoming and approachable. Remember, other people want to make some barn friends just as much as you do!
Another way to strike up a conversation is to help someone that needs it by taking on a two-person job with them or by assisting them with something they might be struggling with, such as how to put a bridle on, closing a sticky stall door, or taking a horse out to the paddock. Also, be sure to ask for help when YOU need it!
Don’t Forget About Bonding Time
Once you have made some connections at the barn, there’s no shortage of things you can do together. Be sure to check with the barn owner, manager, and/or your trainer before diving in and starting any projects, but they more than likely have some great ideas for things they need done around the barn.
Some of those things might include painting jumps, setting a new jump course, cleaning tack, cleaning stalls, sweeping, feeding, picking up manure and rocks in the paddocks, et cetera.
If you have access to horses to ride, plan to ride together and then bathe and graze the horses afterwards. Another idea is to plan to go to the barn to watch your new friend’s lesson and ask if they want you to video the lesson for them.
You can also practice horsemanship skills your trainer has mentioned they want you to improve. Together, the two of you can practice things like wrapping, braiding, body clipping, or mane pulling.
Through doing all these things, you will get to know the other person while learning and problem-solving. Best of all, other kids will see all the fun you are having and likely ask to join in, which means even more barn friends!
All in all, the secret to bonding with others at the barn is wholeheartedly sharing your love of horses while keeping an open mind and being kind and helpful. The barn is a place for growth, fun, and learning, all of which can be done alongside other like-minded people that you may not have had the opportunity to meet elsewhere.
This article about how to make barn friends appeared in the May/June 2024 issue of Young Rider magazine. Click here to subscribe!
