Barn Days at JAKS Stables is a great way to get your young child introduced to riding a horse. As a part of your visit you will get some one-on-one time to brush and pet the horse, take a short instructor-led ride, and feed your horse a treat afterward as a way of saying thanks! If your kid loves horses they will definitely enjoy the experience!
Barn Days
We were looking for fun new outdoor activities during the pandemic and learned that JAKS Stables was offering some opportunities for kids to interact with the horses. My kids haven’t really been around a horses a whole lot, so I thought the one-on-one interaction would be a great way to get them warmed up to these sweet animals!
Brush and Pet a Horse
We started out by grabbing a brush and spending some time petting and brushing our horse, Kitty. My kids weren’t as into this part as I thought they would be. They gave a few brushes and were done. I tried to extend the activity a bit by pointing out the horse’s body parts and getting them to pet her, but this unfortunately just didn’t keep their interest very long.
Ride a Horse
Everyone’s favorite part, however, was riding the horse! We each got to take two laps around the riding pen while the instructor led the way, mom and dad included! Helmets were provided and the instructor was great about watching and making sure the kids were safe. I wasn’t sure how my 2.5 year old would do riding all by himself, but he did awesome!
Feed a Horse
As a way of saying thank you for letting us ride her, we each got a small treat to give to our horse after the ride. This actually freaked my 5 year old out the most, but only because she got bit by one of the horses at Aloha Safari Zoo and is a little traumatized!
Pricing
Barn Days was a 30 minute hands-on time with the horses that was perfect for my little ones. Kids older than 7 may not enjoy it as much since it’s a short visit. Price is $10/person (adults too) with a $20 minimum. Children under age 2 are free but may not be able to ride. They can still participate in other activities.
Personally, I wish we didn’t have to pay for the adults. Although it was fun for mom to ride too, I could have skipped my ride without being too heartbroken. Paying for all of us made it a bit more expensive than I would like for such a short activity. Check out their website for more information on how to book your experience!
Riding Lessons
JAKS Stable is really known for their riding lessons. Riders age 8 and up can take weekly lessons at the stables that cover everything you need to know about not only just riding a horse, but also how to care for them. JAKS teaches mainly western riding, with specialties in cow horse, barrel racing, and ranch riding. Students will also learn equine nutrition, vet care, hoof care, barn and pasture maintenance, grooming and more. The riding academy is a competitive program with limited space due to demand. Interested parties will need to fill out an application form to be accepted into the program.
If you’re just looking to get up close and personal with a horse and not really interested in riding, try nearby Breezy Pond Farm or drive out to Chapel Hill to visit Spring Haven Farm. Both offer up close experiences to feed and pet a horse without the riding part.