Horse Play

The lessons kids learn at horse camp are simplicity itself: kindness, gentleness, respect, careful observation, the thrill of independence, and the self-esteem that comes from riding high in the saddle and providing their horses with guidance, reassurance, good grooming and that next carrot fix.

At Equestrian Camps, Kids’ Confidence Runs Free

Courtesy of the American Camp Association
with local reporting by Kim Laehle

Less than three hours north of Sacramento, in Greenville, the children at Coppercreek Camp learn their horse alphabet early—A is for apple, B is for body brush, C is for canter… Horses bring with them a special vocabulary, and all the children are eager to learn. The very youngest or most timid campers have a special role when it comes to horse care. Affectionately known as “Barn Rats,” they scurry to learn their way around their formidable new friends.

“Learning about your horse’s needs is a first step in gaining security and comfort around such large animals—filling their water buckets, picking out their hooves, and learning the art of grooming all develop a special bond between horse and rider,” says Coppercreek’s director, Lauren Allen.

Judy Gerhard, owner and instructor at Time Stock Farm in Meadow Vista, seconds this idea.  “Watching a shy child making connections while working with a horse is such an emotional experience for us all,” she says. “Communication is such an important facet of living. Watching a child gain the understanding that a shake or a sneeze from their horse is not harmful to them (but just a shake or a sneeze) is a wonderful thing.”

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Children learn many skills at camp, gaining confidence as they do. At Time Stock, campers learn how to assess their horses for illness and how to help in a horse emergency. “The campers learn to check temperature, pulse and gut sounds, and then how to report that to a vet,” says Gerhard. As the kids become more assured, Gerhard says the phrase “I can do it!” echoes throughout camp.

In the saddling corral back at Coppercreek, it’s time to mount up and head off to the hills. There’s a special alertness that Samantha and John, 10 and 12, recognize as they lead their horses away from the barn. They are on their way to enjoy the crisp air in the trees and a ride up into the hilly country surrounding the camp. Samantha’s horse, Hannah, doesn’t even notice when a twig snaps loudly underfoot, while John is ready—with a reassuring “That’s alright, fella”—when his horse, Billy, needs it. Children easily start recognizing and responding to the needs of their horses while the horses patiently wait for them to catch on.

 "As the kids develop their confidence,
    'I can do it!' echoes throughout camp."

For all those kids who live, eat, and breathe horses, Time Stock Farm and Coppercreek are just a couple of the many camps offering advanced horsemanship instruction. “Channeling all of their enthusiasm into vaulting, jumping, showing, advanced trail riding… creates an incredible partnership and sense of accomplishment,” says Coppercreek’s director. “Laying the proper foundation is a great way for us to watch children develop into lifelong riders—and this experience translates into responsibility and confidence in so many other areas.”

Of course, camp isn’t all hard work. At the end of Time Stock Farm’s camp sessions, campers get to have some fun horse-sized fun. They play “Musical Tires” on horseback, vaulting off and quickly leading their horse to a tire before putting two human feet inside. Although they are having a blast, they are continuing to hone their safety skills. Advanced riders get an even bigger thrill while playing Capture the Flag on their horses. Their courage and confidence—and pure bliss!—shine on the kids’ faces as they wrap up their camp experience, ready to share the memories they’ve made with friends and family at home.

© 2006 American Camping Association, Inc.

Originally printed in CAMP Magazine, reprinted by permission of the American Camp Association. For more helpful tips and info, you can visit CampParents.org, or call (toll-free) 1-800-428-CAMP.