February 22, 2023
ETNA— Being courageous and strong isn’t a new concept within Girl Scout Law. In fact, facing your fears and trying something new has long been an integral part of the Girl Scout experience! That’s why Troop 1067 spent some time last month at Tykenbay Acres, a horse stable in Etna, to learn everything about equine care from paddock maintenance to proper riding techniques.
“The girls learned that even when you’re scared to try something new, you shouldn’t give up because you never know what you might find,” said Troop Leader Amanda Osborn.
Although two of the four girls who visited the stable had taken lessons at Tykenbay previously, it was a first-time encounter for the other half.
Amanda said, “We had a couple of girls who had never ridden before, and they had the best experiences. One of them was very nervous and not sure if she wanted to try, but once she got on, she loved it. She giggled and smiled the biggest smile, which of course made everyone smile!”
While participating in various activities at the stable will ultimately help the girls earn their Horseback Riding badges, they’ll also gain skills that extend far beyond uniform adornment such as rider safety, understanding horse behavior, compassion for animals, and first and foremost, how to appreciate our favorite gentle giants.