Leaping Frog Farm

08/27/2026

Doesn’t get much cuter than this!!! 😍

08/25/2026

Pom Pom is getting ready for a visit to delight the residents at coastal manor!

08/23/2026

**LET THEM CARRY THE SADDLE 🐴**

It can be tempting to make things easier for young riders.

Carry the saddle for them. Catch the pony while they wait. Do the grooming because you're running late. Tack up so they can spend more of their lesson actually riding.

But here's the thing: **some of the most valuable lessons horses teach children happen before they ever put a foot in the stirrup.**

Walking across a muddy field to catch a pony teaches them that riding begins with responsibility.

Grooming teaches patience. They learn to slow down, notice the smallest changes in their horse and understand that caring for an animal comes before enjoying it.

Mucking out teaches them that worthwhile things aren't always glamorous.

And carrying that heavy saddle?

Let them struggle with it a little.

Let them figure out how to balance it in their arms. Let them become strong enough that something which once felt impossibly heavy eventually doesn't.

Because they're carrying more than a saddle.

They're building strength, independence and confidence.

Horses have an incredible way of teaching children that effort comes before reward. You don't simply arrive, climb aboard and have fun. There's an animal depending on you first.

Feed them. Groom them. Clean their stable. Check their feet. Carry the tack. Put everything away when you're finished.

Then ride.

Of course, children sometimes genuinely need a helping hand, and keeping them safe always comes first. But there's a difference between **helping a child do something and routinely doing it for them.**

The child who learns to care for a pony properly isn't just becoming a better rider.

They're learning that responsibility can be tiring. That confidence is earned through repetition. That animals aren't sporting equipment to be handed over when it's time for fun and handed back when the work begins.

One day they'll pick up that saddle they once struggled to carry and barely notice its weight.

And perhaps that's one of the quietest gifts horses give children:

**While they're learning how to carry the saddle, they're also learning how to carry themselves. ❤️**

08/23/2026

LFF brought one rider & one pony this weekend to Life’s a Ride!

Edie & Jewely 🦄
1st Walk trot Equitation
1st Walk trot Pleasure
1st Maine medal Poles
3rd Walk trot poles
🦄🦄🦄💖💖💖

Thank you Erica for trailering and the LAR crew for being welcoming and kind as always!!

08/21/2026

We had our annual end of summer “horse show” and it was so great to see our riders show off their skills in front of their family and friends! We had an ice cream party after because our LFF riders filled up a kindness jar this summer, writing down notes of how they were kind at the farm or in their day to day life. I am so proud of this and we will do the same thing next year! All of these 6 riders showed their connection to and passion for these two special ponies! And the ponies were perfect as was the weather for our little show! I feel so grateful!! 🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄 ( Thanks for the special photos, A! )

08/20/2026

We just had a little two day hobby horse camp run by my 9 year old daughter! She invited friends, planned activities on a clip board, lead crafts, wore a watch, prepared snacks and handed out popsicles and I think everyone had a great time!

08/14/2026

Two besties sharing their passion of ponies!

08/08/2026

These two went from pinning ears and nashing teeth at eachother to best buddies. It was a slow process that took almost 3 months but look at them now. Making silly faces together 💖

08/07/2026

It’s a hose off, roll, repeat kind of day!

08/07/2026