I'm writing a few articles for the online news source Chelmsford Patch profiling local businesses and community groups. The first article is about The Flying Change Stable. I got to meet a few horses, take a tour of the stables, and hear about their programming. While I was there, 15+ young girls were participating in horsemanship camp where they learn the basics of working with horses from body parts to barn cleanup. Watching 6-year olds lug saddles from the barn was pretty cute.

Kathy, the stable owner who I interviewed, pointed out that a certain type of person is drawn to horseback riding. Her students are usually more reserved, and not very interested in team sports. But the activity, achievement, and connection that they form with their horses has a strong pull on these young riders.

I don't remember having the stereotypical little girl dreams of having a pony, but seeing those people and animals working together today made me wonder if it would have been a good choice for me.