Page 28 - AEF-AlbertaBits_Winter-2025

Good
Habits
How Live Outside
the Box encourages
kids to be well
By Joanna Patten
The
program runs
from April 1
to September 30
each year.
WHEN KIDS GET outside, eat nutritious food and spend
time with their beloved equines, they grow up to be
healthier, happier adults. Two hours of outdoor time a
day helps kids stay active, get along with their peers
and appreciate the environment more. Add the benefits
of eating well (like boosting immunity and supporting
brain development) and time spent caring for horses
(learning new skills and taking on responsibility) and
you get more resilient, robust kids. The benefits of
active living and good nutrition extend into adulthood,
too. And while most kids aren’t thinking about their
immunity or bone strength, parents and caregivers can
still encourage them to live well-rounded lives — like
through the Live Outside the Box program. Live Outside
the Box encourages youth members to track the time
they spend outside, the time with their horses, and how
many healthy servings they eat each month, with prizes
for participants.
Horse
Time
Hours
SAVANNA R 2nd
Savanna has loved horses as
long as she can remember.
Her favourite thing to do is
ride in the mountains with
her pony, Gypsy — she loves
the beauty and peacefulness
of the mountains. “I always
hate when it’s time to leave,”
she says.
PRESLEY L 1st
Presley is a committed equestrian, competing in
hunter/jumpers show jumping and, as her mom says,
she would live at the barn if she could. She loves
riding and competing, but also just being around
horses and says that the barn is her happy place.
ARIANNA A 3rd
Arianna has grown up around horses,
and loves riding both Western and
English with her best horse friend,
Cash. The Live Outside the Box
program motivates her to spend
more time outside. Horse hours come
easily — whether she’s mucking stalls,
brushing or participating in Pony
Club and Gymkhana, she loves any
time spent with the horses.
28
Alberta Bits Winter 2025