Natural Horsemanship Summer Camp

Check out pictures of Summer Camp 2011!

Brand new for 2011 is a new kind of horse camp. This horse camp will teach natural horsemanship principles and kids will spend their days surrounded by horses learning way more than just riding and parts of tack. Kids will learn how to be a partner with horses, how to play with horses on the ground, how to read horse's communication signals so they can learn to 'talk' to horses, along with horsey crafts and games too!

(pictured top right, the campers learn the parts of the horse and stick labels of the different parts on the horse!)

Registration
(pictured right the campers practice obstacle course riding in teams)

Please contact us for more information. For registration please fill out the application for below and submit to lindseyforkun@gmail.com  

Download the 2011 Camp Flyer here

Download the 2011 Camp Registration Application here

About the Camp

Campers get to experience a wide variety of natural horsemanship activities throughout the week, as well as other horsey activities.

Highlights from 2011 included:

• Liberty games: campers learned about and practice playing with horses with no ropes attached - learning how to get connected with horses so the horse would want to follow them through an obstacle course!
• Riding: campers received both individual and group riding instruction. Campers generally rode 2-3 times per day and the location varied from riding in the main ring (which has jumps, obstacles, etc), the round pen (for private one on one instruction for short lessons of about 10 minutes), and the fenced field (for practice riding in large spaces and with obstacles and some jumps). Group lessons in the main ring and field generally lasted about 1 hour.
• Ground Games: campers learned and practice a variety of ground games like learning to circle a horse, sending a horse over jumps and through obstacles, and other games with horses on the ground.
• Bareback riding: campers practice some exercises with bareback riding
• Gaited riding: campers experienced the unique feel of riding a 'gaited horse' - a special breed of horse that 'gaits' instead of 'trots'
• Pony Painting: campers had fun decorating ponies and then learning how to bath a horse - a fun activity on a hot afternoon!
• Visits from the veterinarian: campers got to see and learn about vaccinations, teeth floating, ultrasound, and x-rays
• Visits from the farrier: campers got to see and learn about hoof trimming
• Free Jumping: campers got to learn how to set up a free jumping chute and practice with a horse free jumping
• Learning how to work with a skittish horse: the advanced group spent time learning and practicing how to work with a skittish/nervous horse as well as learning to work with a green (inexperienced horse)
• Horsey Crafts: campers took home a picture frame they painted with their favourite horse, a tote bag they decorated for the helmet/golves/horsey gear, and other horsey crafts

What are ground games?

• learning to free jump a horse
• learning to 'join up' with a horse
• learning to play follow me with a horse
• navigating obstacle courses from the ground
• learning to send a horse over a jump from the ground
• learning to read a horse's body language
• learning to ask a horse to forwards, backwards, sideways, etc all from the ground
• learning to develp a trusting partnership from the ground
• learning to be a good leader for horses
• learning how to load horses safely onto and off trailers
• Meeting baby - learn how to be around really young horses and how to teach good manners and confidence around babies

What are other activities the kids do with horses?

• Grooming
• Farrier day - learn about the horses getting their feet trimmed and watch a demonstration
• Vet day - learn about the horses getting their vaccinations and dental care and watch a demonstration
• Horse painting - the kids can have a 'paint the horse' contest to see who can paint the neatest horse (the paint is mixed with soap and gentle on the horse) - the horse gets a nice bath afterward
• Horse feeding - learning the different types of horse feed and how to feed the horses
• (Pictured right is Flower after pony painting!)

What other activities were there?

• Crafts - including kids decorating their own picture frame with a picture of them with their favourite horse
• Games - all the camp outdoor and indoor favourites
• (Pictured right - playing 'drip drip drop' to cool off on a hot afternoon)

What ages?

• In 2011 we had a good mix of ages. Typically kids are separated into 2 groups - one group is aged 7 - 10 years old, and the second group is aged 11- 14yrs old.
• Horse crazy boys and girls are welcome between ages 7 - 14
• Ages 15 and up are welcome as volunteers
• Ages under 7 are welcome to family Friday for pony rides and meeting the horses

2011 Pricing

• 1 week of camp: $400 each
• 2 weeks of camp: $750 each
• Additional children savings: $350 per week
• Optional:
• Early drop off (7am – 9am): $50 per week
• Late pick up (4pm – 7pm): $50 per week
• Both early drop off and late pick: $75 per week
• Daily Healthy Lunches: $40 per week
  
• (Pictured right is Hanna practicing jumping with Nifty)