An unforgettable Halloween day for children in the riding stable Gut Ottmanach

An unforgettable Halloween day for children in the riding stable Gut Ottmanach

Last weekend, the Gut Ottmanach riding stable at Magdalensberg became a magical place for the young guests of the SOS Children's Village. Together with the members of the non-profit association "Soldiers with Heart", under the direction of John Patrick Platzer and Imrana Jashari, the children experienced an unforgettable Halloween day that was all about horses.

The little visitors, disguised as a colorful creatures - from Lamas to cowgirls to unicorns - not only got to know the horses, but also actively interact with them. The program included cleaning, painting and riding the horses, as well as leading through a course, which gave the children a lot of fun. The crowning glory was an eerily-delicious Halloween buffet, in which the supervisors also mix in imaginative costumes.

positive experiences with animals

Imrana Jashari, the Vice President of "Soldiers with Heart", was enthusiastic about this action. In her opinion, contact with animals is invaluable because it strengthens trust and connection between humans and nature. "I still remember my first time on a horse. We want to convey this feeling to the children - the feeling of freedom and trust," she said.

also Marlene Gutzelnig, operator of the riding stable, emphasized the importance of such programs that strengthen the children's self -confidence: "It is exciting to see how much trust the children gain through contact with the animals. And this is not only important for the children themselves, but also helps them to deal better."

animals and children: a harmonious connection

Karoline Martischnigg, an experienced adjuster in the riding stable, brought her Frisian wall Roy, who showed the children fantastic tricks. "It is important to me that children learn to deal with animals respectfully. The relationship they build with the animals is unique," she noticed. The smile of the children while watching Roy spoke volumes about the positive effects of such experiences.

"To see a smile on the faces of the children is the greatest gift," reflected Alexandra Kraßnitzer, family teacher in the SOS Children's Village. According to her, the event shows the children that there are people outside of their familiar environment who believe in them and support them.

Finally, John Patrick Platzer thanked everyone involved. His message was clear: "It is important to show the children in need that they are not alone. The community, which today demonstrated cohesion here, is something that we can all learn from." More details on this special event are in one article on www.meinbezirk.at to read.