camps

Monday was a super start…we learned how to safely catch and lead a horse. We learned where the safe zones are around a horse. We learned all the different grooming tools for the horse and how to use them. Have your camper tell you the 5 reasons we groom horses before and after we ride. We had a grooming contest-congratulations to Lillian and Lexi! We rode in western saddles today and learned how to tack up and guide our horse one-handed. We learned how to clip a horse to prepare them for a show. We practiced the major cues for the horse to start, stop and turn using our legs, eyes and hands. Advanced riders did many exercises without stirrups.

Tuesday we focused on our saddles and bridles and the other equipment that keeps us safe while riding. We learned how much tack costs and what kinds of equipment you might need if you owned a horse. We spent time learning the importance of caring for and cleaning the equipment we use for riding. Lillian and Natalie were the winners of our tack cleaning contest! Today was Huntseat day-we learned about riding in this English style. We practiced posting the trot-this takes lots of leg strength! To make it easier, we learned some leg strengthening exercises. The last set of riders got to ride in the indoor arena during a huge thunderstorm!!

Wednesday was a cooler day! We added to our huntseat skills by learning how to jump! After reviewing our basic position, we learned how to stay in the two-point or jumping position. We learned the importance of going straight over the jump and keeping our horse moving forward with energy. We worked over ground poles, elevated poles and low crossrail jumps. This takes lots of coordination and everybody made great efforts! During lunch, we watched a video of the best hunter/jumper riders in the nation, so we would know what to practice! We also spend the last part of the day completing the chores that we would do if we were caring for a barn-including cleaning the lounge, aisleways, work areas, arenas and tackroom. This encourages responsibility for future horse owners! It is sometimes hard for campers to realize that horse owners spend very little time in the saddle as there are many responsibilities necessary in horse ownership and upkeep or facilities. The farrier (horseshoer) Charley Mattingly came to show us how and when to shoe or trim a horse’s feet. We got to help! He even brought a freeze-dried horse leg to show us the tiny bones and tendons that hold our four-legged friends up! We got to see lots of different horse shoes and what they would be used for. We also saw how to evaluate a horse for lameness (poor Prince!) and what to do to make the horse more comfortable.

Thursday was the best day ever! We played games on horseback! We played the beanbag relay, the ring toss game and tried to beat each others times on barrel racing-but the favorite was the egg and spoon race-where the riders tried to balance and egg on a spoon and ride one-handed! Congratulations to Lexi who won the egg and spoon race and Haley who won the Barrel race! It was fun to ride fast! In the afternoon, we rode over an obstacle course! We set up trail obstacles in the arena that the riders had to negotiate through. These were hazards that are similar to the ones that would have to be negotiated if a rider were out on the trail, including poles on the ground, turning in tight spaces, moving objects from place to place, small jumps and weaving through cones. Dr. Haggard came from Eudora Animal Hospital to talk to us about equine vet care. He discussed vet school and requirements. Then we floated (filed) down Winnies teeth! We got to see the inside of a horse’s mouth and how the teeth grow. We learned that teeth grow unevenly and need filing once a year or so. We also saw how to take blood and do a diagnostic evaluation on a sick horse. We learned about several equine illnesses and diseases. Then we practiced taking a horse’s temperature and give a shot. We learned about some important horse medications and how to administer them.

Our last day of camp was super! We started our morning by learning about different types of horse feed and how and when to feed horses. We also learned how much that certain types of horses need. Hay is the most important part of a horse’s diet and we practiced evaluating hay quality. Then we fed all the horses! It was a lot of fun and great practice! Our first ride of the day was bareback! Riding bareback is the best way to strengthen our riding muscles! Everyone got to practice the trot or canter too! THANK YOU to Leanne Pasquale for bringing the group pizza for the last day of camp! We all had a great time eating lunch together. Our last ride was a free ride. Everyone got to ride a new or favorite horse and work on any of the activities that they enjoyed most.

It was great to have everyone there this week! What a great group of kids!

I hope everyone enjoyed their time with the horses and got to experience riding in different styles. There was a lot of improvement in riding skills. Be watching for a special lesson offer for campers that will be in the mail soon! Also be watching for information about mini-camps to be held this fall and winter. This information will be sent to all participants.

THANK YOU!

CAMP REQUIREMENTS: long pants, boots with a heel, sack lunch, shorts. Anyone without boots and long pants will not be allowed to ride for safety reasons! Camps may use barn riding helmets. Medical release form and waiver must be signed by parents.