TWAI Girl's Experience Horseback Riding
On a cool crisp morning, a group of anxious girls set out from Turning Winds Academic Institute to get a taste of the cowboy life by visiting The Western Pleasure Guest Ranch located in Sandpoint, Idaho. The ranch is a place where anyone young and old can enjoy a little bit of western life with such winter activities as: horseback riding and sleigh riding. This ranch has been around for nearly a hundred years and has been a Dude Ranch for wranglers and guests alike. With the the backdrop of surrounding mountains, barns and rustic log homes and fenced in hay fields, with horses galloping along on this nearly 1000 acre site, you can only imagine what the cowboy life is like. 
The girls were prepared for this rustic adventure. They were dressed for the occasion each one of them wearing the signature hard wear of a cowboy- the cowboy hat! After going through some horseback training, the group saddled up and began their adventure meandering through trees, and along dirt roads. The ride was quieted as the sounds of the day were muffled by the snowflakes falling from sky. For the most part, the horses were very cooperative and navigated effortlessly. At times, you could even let go of the reins and the horses seemed to know exactly where they were going. The grins on the faces of the girls were evident throughout the horseback riding even while the snow fell all around them.
After horseback riding, the girls enjoyed the unique comfort that can only be found in the warmth of a log home. The girls sipped on delicious hot chocolate and the sounds of laughter rang out as stories were told of their rustic experiences with being cowboys just for the day.
Turning Winds Academic Institute believes that meaningful activities promote healthy, healing in the lives of all people regardless of age or circumstances. For more information on our therapeutic school, please call: 800-845-1380.
