In addition to teaching campers the basics of horseback riding, we encourage them to learn the care involved in owning a horse. Day Campers who would like to learn how to groom, tack up and turn out the horses properly can spend a little extra time at the barn after our morning rotation of activities. For those true horse lovers, there 's even cleaning stalls!
Boarding campers spend three evenings each week at the barn caring for the horses. On Monday night, they are introduced to the basics of horsemanship: proper grooming, including the use of each type of brush and hoof care; feeding and watering; and the differences between English and Western riding. On Tuesday, boarding campers learn to appreciate the horses they ride as living, feeling animals rather than push-button machines ! Campers develop balance and respct through a bareback riding exercise . On Wednesday, boarding campers venture beyond the corral on a trail ride around the perimeter of the camp grounds. If they choose, they can trot the horse on a certain stretch!
All activities involving the horses are extremely well supervised by our director, Colleen Hildebrand, who has been riding for over twenty-five years. Although campers ride Western, Colleen's experience centers on show jumping, but she has also participated in other disciplines ranging from dressage to barrel racing.
