Starting in 2025, a whole new world has opened up for our children: In partnership with the Lindenhof Riding Stables in Niedernberg, we’re offering riding lessons and animal-assisted education at Okakambe Stables near Swakopmund. What begins with a first, tentative touch of a horse’s nose gradually grows into self-confidence, a sense of responsibility, and trust in one’s own strengths.
Horseback Riding Lessons for Our Children
Currently, 25 children from the preschool at the OPEN DOORS Education Center (ODEC) are participating in the horseback riding program. The children have one session per week at the riding stable, and the older children are already training regularly in structured riding lessons.
The focus is not only on riding itself, but also on developing self-confidence, patience, and a sense of responsibility. For many children, this is their first time ever standing in front of a horse. Step by step, they learn to overcome their shyness, approach the animal calmly, and eventually sit in the saddle on their own.
The children practice basic skills such as leading and grooming the horse, mounting and dismounting, balance and posture, as well as the first gaits. At the same time, they learn important rules for interacting with large animals and develop an awareness of how their own behavior affects others.
Okakambe Stables
Riding lessons take place at Okakambe Stables, an experienced riding center near Swakopmund. Approximately 35 well-trained horses, several riding arenas, and training areas provide the setting for safe and age-appropriate instruction.
In addition to the horses, the farm is also home to donkeys, dogs, and small animals. This provides a valuable first introduction, especially for younger children: they gain experience interacting with animals before venturing onto a horse. A well-coordinated team of instructors and educators accompanies the groups during every session.
Partnership with the Lindenhof Riding Stable
The riding program is made possible and funded through close collaboration with the Lindenhof Riding Stable in Niedernberg, Bavaria.
The Lindenhof is run by the Reinhart family and has evolved since 1960 from a farm into a riding school with an educational farm. Drawing on decades of experience, the desire arose to make the positive impact that horses can have on children accessible even in places where riding lessons would otherwise be out of reach.
With Lindenhof’s support, the costs for riding lessons, on-site horse care, transportation, and materials are covered. This creates the foundation for children from disadvantaged backgrounds to ride regularly and reliably.
The partnership is supported by many people; riding students at Lindenhof can contribute directly through their course fees, thereby providing concrete support for a child in Namibia.
Valuable Life Skills
The horseback riding program teaches far more than just athletic skills. A horse reacts immediately to how a child behaves: calmly, clearly, and without judgment. The children experience that their own actions make a difference and learn to take responsibility.
In addition to self-confidence and patience, working with the animals fosters emotional stability, respect, and reliability. A horse needs to be cared for, even after a tiring day. For many children, this experience of structure and commitment is both new and valuable.
For most families, this is the very first opportunity to let their children interact with horses. In this way, the program not only opens up a new world of experiences far removed from everyday life in the township, but also creates a place where children can simply be children for a few hours a week.
The journey ahead
Our goal is to continuously develop the equestrian program and give even more children access to horses and animal-assisted education. By training local instructors, expanding the groups, and collaborating long-term with the Lindenhof Riding Stables, we are creating structures that go far beyond individual riding lessons.
In the long term, this collaboration is intended to evolve into a German-Namibian exchange program featuring internships for young riders, reciprocal visits, and a lasting partnership between two riding stables on two continents.
Every child who learns to interact with a horse gains a sense of self-confidence, responsibility, and hope for the future.
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