Independence-based Horse Tales provides a unique and fun summer reading opportunity
Kids can experience a summer reading program like no other through Horse Tales, where they are able to practice reading aloud by reading to horses.
Milestones, Inc., a horseback riding nonprofit located in Independence, started the program. Milestones offers a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with disabilities as well as a program for senior riders. According to the organization, horseback riding can improve rider posture, range of motion and coordination.
Milestones, in partnership with the Durr branch of the Kenton County Public Library, started Horse Tales when the organization was looking to create a summer program. A volunteer at Milestones, who also volunteered with the library, provided a connection to make Horse Tales happen.
“We decided that something that would be really beneficial for not only our community but also for our horses is if we started a reading literacy program,” says Rachel Breeden, the program director for Milestones.
This year is the program’s fourth year. Horse Tales is open to children in first through eighth grade at any reading level. Registration is required but participation is free. While kids have the opportunity to experience a fun and unique reading program, the horses have a positive take away as well.
“It benefits both the reader and the animal because when the reader is reading to the horse, they are basically helping socialize the horse, so it helps desensitize them from sounds or being nervous around other people,” says Breeden. “And so it helps condition our horses to work really well with our riders, because they’re getting more of that social time together. Obviously, it also is extremely beneficial for our readers because it gives them an opportunity to have a fun outlet to work with something they may be struggling with.”
Breeden says growing up she struggled with reading and that people can feel embarrassed and judged reading out loud in front of people. Horse Tales provides a judgment-free environment.
“The animals do not care,” Breeden says. “If you miss a word, they’re not judgmental. They’re very good listeners. And if you get stuck, we have volunteers that are basically there to support you and make you feel confident in your skills instead of making you feel embarrassed.”
Each session is 30 minutes long. Once participants arrive, they can grab a book if they didn’t bring one with them and head to one of the open horse stalls. Kids read for about 20 minutes and then can take their book home and get bookmarks and other prizes like stickers or toys once they leave.
Breeden adds that summer reading can feel like a chore sometimes for kids, but Horse Tales helps to make reading fun.
“We want [kids] to be excited about reading and we think this program helps support that,” Breeden says.
Those interested in learning more about the program or signing up should visit Milestones’ website at milestonesinc.org.
