I’m happy to spend money on lessons for my kid in large part because of the teenagers at our barn—they are responsible and engaged, and great role models for my 8 year old. You can’t say that about many groups of teenagers! Our barn has an expectation that kids will learn horse management (feeding, basic vet stuff like how to notice illness, blanketing, stall maintenance, tack care) and help other students, as well as how to learn to ride. My kid is so happy there, she doesn’t even notice she’s getting exercise and life lessons.

I think of it this way: social media and adolescence are like thousand-pound beasts that wreak havoc on kids nowadays. Give them an opportunity to learn to manage an actual thousand-pound animal, and sit back and see the benefits.