HORSEMANSHIP CAMPS
We want every camper to enjoy their time at Meadowsweet Ranch. We love hearing laughter, love seeing smiling faces and love seeing bonds develop between the campers and their ponies.
Our goal is to give each and every camper life long memories that will always bring a smile to their face, and skills that will last a lifetime, no matter where their equine journey may take them.
Educational Time
The theme of the week is used for the educational time of each day. A number of different modalities are used from the guest speakers - here we have Amy McManaway Israel of Knots Out of You - we
invite, the field trip we may take, the printed material we read together, the videos we may watch and even some of the games we play.
Day-to-day care of the horses and ponies
Each day campers participates in some form of the day-to-day care of the horses and ponies here at Meadowsweet Ranch.
This helps campers learn what a big responsibility owning a horse or pony is, and just how much care they need.
Grooming and Tacking
Each camper learns how to get their pony (or horse)
from the paddock, how to groom them (and the different tools used to do so), and saddle up for their riding lesson each day.
This time helps maintain the health and wellbeing of the horse, and is also great bonding time between the camper and their mount.
Horsemanship/Groundwork lessons
Horsemanship-the art, ability, skill, or manner of a horseman or horsewoman.
One of the first things campers are taught is how to enjoy time with their mount on the ground. By learning how to communicate using their bodies in a way horses and ponies can understand. Our campers learn how to safely handle horses and ponies whether they're riding, leading, or simply being around them.
Groundwork is also important in teaching the camper teamwork, patience, trust and respect for both themselves and their mount
Horsemanship/Groundwork lessons
Horsemanship-the art, ability, skill, or manner of a horseman or horsewoman.
One of the first things campers are taught is how to enjoy time with their mount on the ground. By learning how to communicate using their bodies in a way horses and ponies can understand. Our campers learn how to safely handle horses and ponies whether they're riding, leading, or simply being around them.
Groundwork is also important in teaching the camper teamwork, patience, trust and respect for both themselves and their mount
Riding time
Each camper is paired with a pony or horse that is
suitable for the camper's height and ability. For their daily ride time.
There is nothing that improves riding more than time in the saddle with eyes on the ground. To help keep our campers with little riding experience safe, the week starts out with the camper on the lunge-line.
This way the camper has time to develop some balance, timing and feel, the three keys to riding before they need to worry about directing where the pony goes and at what speed.
Generally, a child that spends a week at camp will generally progress more in their riding in the five consecutive days of camp than taking a weekly lesson for three or four months.
Awesome crafts
The crafts vary from session to session and are geared toward the theme of the week when possible.
Campers get to take their crafts home and we hope that when they use them or look at them, they will always bring a smile to their faces as they remember some part of their week at camp.
Games with other campers
We try to allow enough time each day for all of the
campers to play a game or two together. This helps to foster and grow the new (or old) friendships between the campers, and encourage teamwork, leadership, and many other skills.
A couple of favorites here at the ranch are hide-n-seek and, especially when it's hot and humid, is drip, drip, SPLASH!
Click here to watch a short video of excerpts from a past pony camp.
When camps are scheduled, you will find dates and additional information on our Events page.
If you have any other questions, please contact us.