How to Spark a Love of Learning in Horse-Crazy Kids (Without a Real Horse!)

If your child gallops through the living room, neighs at dinner, or can name every horse in Spirit Riding Free, you’re in good company. Kids between ages 6–9 often go through a magical “horse phase”—and it’s more than just a passing obsession. For me, I remember the exact moment I fell in love with horses when I was 7 years old. 

The good news? You don’t need to own a horse (or even visit a barn) to give your child a meaningful introduction to the equine world. In fact, early horse learning is packed with science, empathy, creativity, and confidence-building—and it can all be done from home. Bonus if you have a horse or access to one to really take the horse education and fun up a notch.

Why Horse Learning Is So Powerful at This Age

Horses are a great entry point for learning because they’re fascinating, gentle, and full of personality. Young learners can absorb so much about biology, movement, communication, and care through the lens of these beautiful animals.

Here are just a few science-backed reasons why horse education is so impactful:

• Horses have fascial memory—meaning their bodies “remember” tension and movement, which makes them incredibly responsive to touch and emotion.

• Their vision is binocular and monocular, which means they can see almost all the way around their bodies—except for a small blind spot directly in front and behind.

• A horse’s digestive system is always active—which is why they need small amounts of food throughout the day (and why they can’t vomit!).

• They communicate primarily through body language—ear direction, tail swishing, posture—all of which can be decoded with practice.

This makes horses an incredible subject for kids to explore behavior, anatomy, nutrition, safety, and emotional intelligence.

You Don’t Need a Horse to Learn About Horses

One of the biggest myths is that kids can’t start learning about horses without access to a real one. Not true!

From books and virtual lessons to printable activities and videos, kids can begin learning everything from horse body parts and movement patterns to grooming tools, tack, and horse safety—all without needing a single hoofprint in their backyard. An endless amount of movies and TV shows can also spark love and learning of horses in younger children (lets be honest....adults too). 

In fact, giving them this foundation before they ride or take lessons often leads to more confidence and safety awareness.

Horse Learning as a Homeschool Enrichment Tool

If you’re homeschooling or just looking to add depth to your child’s screen time, horse learning is a perfect fit for multi-subject integration:

• Science – anatomy, digestion, locomotion, body systems

• Language Arts – vocabulary, storytelling, journaling

• Art – coloring, drawing breeds or tack, creating horse profiles

• Social Studies – historical horse breeds, famous horses, equine careers

• Life Skills – empathy, responsibility, observation, safety

Kids don’t even realize they’re “doing school”—they’re just having fun learning about something they love.

Want Help Getting Started?

If you’re looking for a simple way to bring horse learning into your home, our new Young Horse Experts Program (for ages 6–9) was designed just for this purpose.

It’s self-paced, beginner-friendly, and includes fun activities like drawing your own dream horse, watching horses move in different gaits, learning horse safety tips and many more fun and engaging games. 

There’s no pressure to buy, but if you’d like a ready-made learning experience to guide your child’s love of horses, it’s a great place to start.

👉 Learn more about the Young Horse Experts Program

Final Thoughts on horse education for kids

You don’t need a barn, a horse, or a saddle to nurture a child’s passion for animals. With the right tools, horse-crazy kids can explore science, empathy, and curiosity in a way that’s joyful, screen-smart, and rooted in real learning.

Whether your child someday rides, grooms, or simply watches horses in awe, you’ll have given them a meaningful start—and that’s something worth celebrating.