On 24th September 2025, the students of M4-6 embarked on an incredible, action-packed and enriching field trip to the Gallop Stable @ Pasir Ris Park. It was a day filled with growth, fun, and memorable personal achievements.
A Smooth Commute and Initial Challenge
The adventure began with a successful, long-distance MRT journey! From Eunos station to Pasir Ris station, the students showed commendable focus and patience in navigating the stations. They demonstrated appropriate social behaviours and maintained appropriate volume on the long train ride. This smooth commute was a wonderful example of their ability to manage themselves in a public commute setting.
However, upon arrival, we faced a challenge when one student became very anxious and expressed a strong desire to go home. The unfamiliar environment and the size of the horses felt overwhelming, and he repeatedly voiced a fear that the horses might bite him.
His form teacher sat down with him, offered calm reassurance, and explained that the stable horses are friendly and trained to be gentle. He was encouraged to pause and observe from a safe distance. In time, his courage began to shine through! He overcame his initial fears, joined the activities, and was even seen communicating with the horses while feeding them. This moment of personal triumph not only marked a breakthrough for him, but also set an inspiring tone for the rest of the day’s adventures.
Three Steps to Stable Starrs
With everyone now excited to participate, we moved through our three engaging activities:
1. The Stable Tour: Learning and Fun Facts 🥕
During the tour, students learned all about the daily care of horses. We discovered what the horses eat – mostly hay and oats, with treats like carrots – as well as fun facts about their lives. Our students practised gentleness and patience as they observed and interacted with the animals. In a particularly heart-warming moment, the student who had felt anxious earlier found the courage to pet and brush a horse. He carefully reached out to touch the soft muzzle of a pony, a remarkable step in conquering his fears and embracing the experience.
2. Joy Rides: Riding High! 🐎
Next up was the much-anticipated the Joy Ride!
At first, many students felt nervous about sitting so high up or being near such large animals. But with the patient guidance of the stable staff, each student had the opportunity to sit on a horse or pony and experience the gentle, rhythmic movement. The ride provided not only a unique sensory experience but also an opportunity to practise courage and resilience.
What made this activity truly special was watching everyone rise to the challenge. One by one, the students faced their fears, held the reins, and allowed themselves to enjoy the moment. The student who had worried about being bitten earlier not only rode with confidence but did so with a beaming smile. This experience was a wonderful way to build confidence and to celebrate that they are all capable of trying new and challenging things.
3. Horse Feeding: Making Friends 🍎
Our final activity was Horse Feeding. Students safely offer treats and food to the horses. This was a wonderful chance for interaction and communication! Students were calling out the horse’s name, like “Ruby! I brought a lot of food for you!” or “Ruby! I brought you one carrot” to gain their attention before holding out the food. It was heartwarming to see the students engaging with the horses and practise clear verbal communication to direct the animals. This hands-on experience was great for building confidence and practising respectful interaction with the animals.
Adapting to the Unexpected Bus Ride 🚌
As the sun blazed down near the end of the day, we made a smart, last-minute change: instead of walking back, we took the Bus! Our students handled this spontaneous adjustment with positivity and calm. They quickly adapted to the new plan, demonstrating their excellent flexibility and resilience in a busy, hot environment.
We are incredibly proud of every student for their enthusiasm and positive behaviour, but especially for the amazing courage shown in the face of fear. It truly was a day where we saw personal triumphs alongside stable fun!
Way to go, M4-6! You are all Stable Starrs!
– Mr Charles Dominguez, Form Teacher of M4-6