Nichole Szemerei
SOM Rebel Sky Farm
BILLINGS - Horse back riding is something many Montanans’ see as a normal and routine activity but do you know the benefits it can have? In the spirit of Montana, one woman has a goal to get kids off the couch and ride a horse.

As the weather gets colder many of us tend to stay indoors to keep warm. This trend can catch a hold of our kids who need to stay active to be healthy.

Rebel Sky Farm is Billings’ newest and largest equestrian center with riders at all experience levels. Samantha Dangerfield first rode a horse when she was two but after being bucked off a horse this summer she began taking lessons from Rebel Sky Farm and fell in love all over again.

"It helps me get out my emotions and it's a workout too and it’s a fun hobby and I've been around it since I was born basically."

And she's not the only one. There are riders age three to 50 who take lessons, but owner and instructor Ashley Wren's main focus right now is the kids.

"I think kids these days are just sitting at home too much playing video games and I think horses give them a responsibility and teach them sportsmanship."

Another work in progress is a therapeutic riding program for those suffering from addiction and mental illness.

"Some horses movements help stimulate different brain waves and its very therapeutic plus a lot of kids especially little girls love horses and I think it gives them something to look forward to in their everyday life to get to out to a barn, play with a horse, and do something that's not doctor related," says Wren.

And although Samantha is not part of the therapeutic program, she says just staying off the couch is important to her.

"It kind of gives our country a bad reputation if the student and young adults aren't active and they're kind of setting a bad influence."

Something the Rebel Sky Farm will continue to work on.

Rebel Sky Farm plans to hold many shows to show off their skills to the public. For more information click on connections.