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| Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center Spring Celebration © Katrena |
Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center, located at 1754 Buffalo Shoals Road in Statesville, North Carolina, could not have been a prettier place to enjoy a day outside on April 4, 2015. Temperatures were in the high 60s. A gentle breeze nudged the horses' and humans' manes. The Carolina blue sky was polka-dotted with a few white clouds. As we walked around the house toward the pastures, an experienced eye might catch a glimpse of an Easter egg hidden among the greenery.
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| Horse Farm in Iredell County NC © Katrena |
When Stacey Carter said she was going to host a Spring Celebration, I was determined to mark my calendar. My kids had attended horse camp two summers with Stacey. She has an amazing connection with horses and such a kind spirit toward others. After she moved to Iredell County, we had mainly only kept in touch via Facebook, but I will always consider her to be a friend, whether or not we visit face-to-face on a regular basis – she's just that kind of a person.
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| Fun Family Activities in Statesville NC © Katrena |
We easily found the farm after spotting signs out front heralding the Easter egg hunt. The farm is a short distance from Highway 70. Stacey had already posted on Facebook that two special eggs contained a coupon for a free riding lesson – what a great idea! Most of the eggs contained notes for collecting prizes such as stickers and small toys, which was especially nice for families like ours in which the kids have food allergies.
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| Egg Hunt on the Farm © Katrena |
Crafts included designing "eggs" from twine, making pine cone bird feeders, and decorating eggs that had been colored with natural dyes such as blueberries, purple cabbage, and turmeric. The kids had the opportunity to learn a bit about gardening and how birds can help one to have a healthier and more natural ecosystem.
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| Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center in Statesville NC © Katrena |
Folks at the celebration could purchase refreshments – everything else was absolutely free. Some of the food was grown locally, and Stacey had two great grillers working their magic over the coals. Fresh squeezed lemonade and homemade desserts were also offered by some helpful children who served with a smile.
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| Teach Kids to Connect with Horses © Katrena |
One of the favorite parts of the celebration included the horses, of course! Stacey talked about connecting with the beautiful 4-legged friends. She has obviously spent loads of time working with these majestic animals that are attentive and respond to her simple, quiet cues. She then allowed children to come and try some of the various techniques she had demonstrated. The kids didn't simply lead the horses around the arena with a rope – they were taught to gain the horse's trust so that that the horse would follow each child on his or her own.
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| Stacey Carter - The Horse Whisperer © Katrena |
I particularly like Stacey's focus on safety and how she gives positive reinforcement. She does not hover, rather stepping back to watch and give specific tips if a child needs a pointer or seems unsure. She knows the horses' personalities and is able to anticipate needs. Even people who might be a bit nervous begin to learn that these large animals are actually quite friendly and sociable. Stacey is experienced in working with therapeutic riding programs, so she is adept at reading a variety of non-verbal cues.
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| Horsemanship Camps and Youth Programs at Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center © Katrena |
Those who are interested in summer activities might look at horsemanship camps at Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center. These camps go beyond teaching people to ride – they offer communication skills, encourage self-esteem and self-control, creative problem solving, mutual respect, and responsibility. Visit the
Buffalo Shoals Equestrian Center Facebook page for more information about their services.
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| Easter Egg Hunt and Spring Celebration in Statesville NC © Katrena |
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