photo by: Mike Yoder

Addisen Lewis does laps around a barn during riding lessons Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at Coal Creek Farms south of Lawrence.

As the coronavirus pandemic robbed us of many traditional activities, it did have one welcome consequence: getting folks outdoors. And that — for many — led to further enriching experiences, like learning to ride a horse.

“There seemed to be a renewed interest in outside activities,” says Allyson Gilmore, owner and instructor of Gilmore Equestrian Training. “People were looking for physical activities for their kids.”

At the start of the lockdown, Gilmore formed Gilmore Equestrian Training, where she trains equestrian teams and provides riding lessons for beginning and intermediate riders. One of her students is Addisen Lewis, 12, who has been learning to ride a quarter horse cross named Ben for more than a year.

“It’s about so much more than learning to ride a horse,” said Addisen’s mother, Kristen. “She learns to take care of Ben. It’s really cultivated a deep love for animals and an understanding of what it takes to keep one.”

photo by: Mike Yoder

Addisen Lewis, 12, leads Ben, into the horse barn for her riding lessons, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at Coal Creek Farms. Addisen started taking riding lessons during the coronavirus pandemic.

Addisen rides Ben under Gilmore’s instruction at Coal Creek Farms, 1676 N. 1000 Road, weekly.

“Before this I only rode a horse once,” Addisen said. “I was out (at Coal Creek Farms) only because it’s a family farm and (Gilmore) asked me if I wanted to try riding. I feel like it’s a very good thing to do.”

The lessons focus on more than just riding. One day Gilmore taught Addisen the names of all of Ben’s body parts; another day she taught her what tack was and how to bathe Ben when the weather is hot.

During her lessons, Addisen wears a helmet and specialty horseback-riding cowgirl boots, the latter of which are fun but not required.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Addisen Lewis prepares for her riding lessons Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at Coal Creek Farms.

“With the little ones, maybe they’re not afraid of it, but you don’t know if they’re into it yet,” Gilmore said. “I tell the parents, don’t buy (all the gear) until you know you’re committed; just use mine. We provide the horse, the tack — saddles, bridles, grooming equipment — and the helmet. All you need is a pair of shoes with a heel.”

Gilmore has been certified by the Certified Horsemanship Association, which tests people’s proficiency with the skills they will likely teach. To obtain certification, students must be able to competently catch, halter, lead, tie and groom a horse, as well as ride at a walking, trotting and loping pace. They must also demonstrate the ability to remain safe while handling horses. Though Gilmore voluntarily earned certification, doing so is not required to teach horseback riding in the U.S.

“There is no national certification or organization that monitors or regulates the horseback riding industry,” said Becky Buchanan, head instructor and barn manager at White Oak Ranch, 1653 E. 600 Road. “You yourself could go out there and say you teach horseback riding,” but then she added: “You might not have many students after a while.”

Though certification is not required, many horseback riding instructors seek it anyway. Buchanan is a level two centered riding instructor. Centered riding is a methodology that focuses on body awareness, breathing and centering.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Addisen Lewis grooms her horse during her riding lessons Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at Coal Creek Farms.

“Consumers aren’t very knowledgeable about it. Most people who call here just ask if we have horseback riding or trail riding,” Buchanan said. “They don’t know enough to ask for certifications.”

Centered riding operates around four principles: center, soft eyes, breathing and building blocks. Center is the utilization of the core area of the body to communicate movement to the horse. Soft eyes involves being aware of the entire field. Breathing refers to abdominal breathing to minimize or eliminate the fear response in the rider, and building blocks is proper alignment.

“The idea is that being able to access the power from your center can help energize or calm your horse down,” Buchanan said. “Horses can just tune you out and say, ‘You’re worthless. I’m going to take care of it.’ Or the other thing can be, ‘Oh my God, if you’re afraid, I’m afraid too.’ Horses are always paying attention to what you’re doing. If you think there is a big scary thing over there that your horse is going to be afraid of, you better believe your horse knows there is a big scary thing he needs to be afraid of — even if there isn’t.”

Though not currently certified, Jenna Brumm uses centered riding principles in her lessons as well. She teaches horseback riding at Brumm Farms in Baldwin City, 1788 N. 300 Road.

“My main goal as a professional horsewoman is to create a good relationship between the owner or rider and the horse,” Brumm said. “People love horses, but there’s a lot of risk involved. Horses are beautiful, gentle animals, but they’re also creatures of flight. If they feel threatened, they will behave in a way that’s dangerous for us. If you ride long enough, you’re going to fall off.”

Brumm has not been hurt by falling off a horse, but she has been injured while working with one.

“Riding a horse is always a risk. We’re trying to get them to do abnormal things,” Brumm said. “I was trying to hold on to a horse that was trying to bolt, and that 1,200-pound horse yanked on my hand and broke one of my fingers.”

Safety is one of Brumm’s top priorities.

“We need to recognize that horses can be dangerous, and not put ourselves in a situation where we could be hurt,” Brumm said. “We are asking a lot of our horses, asking them to stand still, be tied to a post, and we have to ask, ‘Is my horse comfortable right now? What can I do to help them be more comfortable?’ It’s building that relationship.”

After a year of riding, Addisen Lewis says she has built a relationship with Ben. On her nightstand by her bed she displays a picture of her new friend.

“Ben is a really nice horse, and he’s easy to ride,” Addisen said.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Addisen Lewis attends a horseback riding lesson Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, at Coal Creek Farms.