August 8-12, 2016 Happy Horse Camp
Day 1
The only thing more fun than a week-long horse camp is....doing it with a friend! We met our campers today, Evie and Hannah. Both of them are eight, were former neighbors, are great friends, and horse crazy! Evie's mom said Evie was so excited to go to camp she was up at six today.
Evie had seen pictures of our horses on our blog. She then told her mom she hoped to ride Magic, our 18 year old retired chariot horse. Hannah wanted to ride Moki, our 12 year old red roan. We thought they would match up well, so we had the girls get the horses out. The girls giggled when Lovey, our cute little Arabian, played a staring contest with them. I think Lovey was wondering if the girls would be riding her. But we told her, "Not today, Lovey."
The girls had fun grooming their horses. They learned how to brush them out good, pick their hooves, and tack up. As Evie used a curry comb on Magic, I asked her why she wanted to ride him. She said she wanted to ride a brown horse. Also, he looked big, and since she is little, she wanted to be on a taller horse.
Before the girls rode, they got to do a little ranch chore - cleaning up after your horse. And then it was time to ride. Evie was worried about how she could get up on the saddle, but with our handy little purple block step, she got on just fine. Oh my, that grin on her face was priceless. Later, she told me, "I've always wanted to ride a horse by myself since I was four."
After a little warm-up, we decided that she needed spurs so she could ask Magic easier into a walk. Thanks to them, she got him moving better. Pretty soon, she was trotting all over the arena.
Hannah said she thought maybe they'd just learn about horses on the first day, that they wouldn't even be able to get on them. So she was super excited about riding Moki by herself. Hannah is a quiet, gentle rider, and she seemed a good fit for Moki, who is also a quiet and super dependable horse. I think they will get along well together.
We ended today's camp trotting through two rounds of Red Light Green Light, then we talked about what the girls wanted to do tomorrow. "Go faster," both of them said.
Evie had seen pictures of our horses on our blog. She then told her mom she hoped to ride Magic, our 18 year old retired chariot horse. Hannah wanted to ride Moki, our 12 year old red roan. We thought they would match up well, so we had the girls get the horses out. The girls giggled when Lovey, our cute little Arabian, played a staring contest with them. I think Lovey was wondering if the girls would be riding her. But we told her, "Not today, Lovey."
The girls had fun grooming their horses. They learned how to brush them out good, pick their hooves, and tack up. As Evie used a curry comb on Magic, I asked her why she wanted to ride him. She said she wanted to ride a brown horse. Also, he looked big, and since she is little, she wanted to be on a taller horse.
Before the girls rode, they got to do a little ranch chore - cleaning up after your horse. And then it was time to ride. Evie was worried about how she could get up on the saddle, but with our handy little purple block step, she got on just fine. Oh my, that grin on her face was priceless. Later, she told me, "I've always wanted to ride a horse by myself since I was four."
After a little warm-up, we decided that she needed spurs so she could ask Magic easier into a walk. Thanks to them, she got him moving better. Pretty soon, she was trotting all over the arena.
Hannah said she thought maybe they'd just learn about horses on the first day, that they wouldn't even be able to get on them. So she was super excited about riding Moki by herself. Hannah is a quiet, gentle rider, and she seemed a good fit for Moki, who is also a quiet and super dependable horse. I think they will get along well together.
We ended today's camp trotting through two rounds of Red Light Green Light, then we talked about what the girls wanted to do tomorrow. "Go faster," both of them said.
Day 2
Today Evie and Hannah showed up to horse camp with matching braids. We went over the rest of the week’s schedule of activities. When I mentioned that we’d be bathing the horses on Thursday and can braid their mane, Hannah said, “You can bathe horses?”
Evie’s mom said Evie is excited about that. And loping today, of course. Drew was home, which was nice so that we could have another adult help the girls learn the faster gait.
Our campers got their horses ready a lot faster than yesterday; they’re getting the hang of this. As we got into the arena, we reminded the girls that they would walk and trot first. Then have them take turns loping. “Not a gallop,” we said, making that distinction.
Evie and Hannah got their horses trotting all over. It was nice to see their horses listening to them and moving when asked. Evie kept her boots in her stirrups, in anticipation of her being able to lope today. She also jumped the poles at a trot, and had a good seat. As she rode in little trot circles, big circles, we could tell that she was ready to to go faster. We lowered the jump poles to the ground then told her to try loping.
Magic trotted fast and bouncy but still hadn’t crossed from a trot to lope, not until he jumped over the poles that were laying on the ground. And then he broke into a lope that had us all gasping, but which Evie sat beautifully. She circled him still in a lope then reined him to a stop. Her face flushed, her smile wide, and looking like she wanted to do it again. And she did.
Hannah took a turn. She also practiced trotting and going over the jumps. Surprisingly, Moki was kind of lazy today, so we had Hannah wear “pizza cutter” spurs. That seemed to wake him up a little. He went faster for a bit, and just about to the point when he could have transitioned into a lope, he turned a little sharp. Hannah lost her balance and fell off the saddle.
It’s a long way down from saddle to sand, but Hannah was a real trooper. After understandably shedding a few tears, she got back in the saddle and walked him. We suggested she do that because then she and Moki could end their ride on a positive note. She is an amazing little girl.
Evie, who was concerned about her friend, was glad she was okay. Evie took another turn at loping before we ended the morning ride. I’m glad that Magic was cooperative for her; he sure got his exercise today.
Hannah said she liked trotting and grooming their horses. And looked forward to the trail ride. Evie said she liked loping and wanted to do more jumping tomorrow. We praised Hannah for getting back in the saddle and had the girls guess how many times Sabrina has fallen off her mustang Tagg. Hannah guessed 3; Evie 5. The correct answer: 26 (most of this in her first year of training and showing him).
To reward their horses, the girls gave them treats. Moki has a funny way of taking treats and accidentally nipped Hannah on her finger. (He has partial face paralysis and can't feel treats with his lip, so he will grab a treat with his teeth. The key, we told Hannah, is to lay the treat flat in her palm.)
We asked Hannah if, despite falling off and getting nipped by her horse, did she still like him and want to come back tomorrow? She laughed and said, “Yes.”
Evie’s mom said Evie is excited about that. And loping today, of course. Drew was home, which was nice so that we could have another adult help the girls learn the faster gait.
Our campers got their horses ready a lot faster than yesterday; they’re getting the hang of this. As we got into the arena, we reminded the girls that they would walk and trot first. Then have them take turns loping. “Not a gallop,” we said, making that distinction.
Evie and Hannah got their horses trotting all over. It was nice to see their horses listening to them and moving when asked. Evie kept her boots in her stirrups, in anticipation of her being able to lope today. She also jumped the poles at a trot, and had a good seat. As she rode in little trot circles, big circles, we could tell that she was ready to to go faster. We lowered the jump poles to the ground then told her to try loping.
Magic trotted fast and bouncy but still hadn’t crossed from a trot to lope, not until he jumped over the poles that were laying on the ground. And then he broke into a lope that had us all gasping, but which Evie sat beautifully. She circled him still in a lope then reined him to a stop. Her face flushed, her smile wide, and looking like she wanted to do it again. And she did.
Hannah took a turn. She also practiced trotting and going over the jumps. Surprisingly, Moki was kind of lazy today, so we had Hannah wear “pizza cutter” spurs. That seemed to wake him up a little. He went faster for a bit, and just about to the point when he could have transitioned into a lope, he turned a little sharp. Hannah lost her balance and fell off the saddle.
It’s a long way down from saddle to sand, but Hannah was a real trooper. After understandably shedding a few tears, she got back in the saddle and walked him. We suggested she do that because then she and Moki could end their ride on a positive note. She is an amazing little girl.
Evie, who was concerned about her friend, was glad she was okay. Evie took another turn at loping before we ended the morning ride. I’m glad that Magic was cooperative for her; he sure got his exercise today.
Hannah said she liked trotting and grooming their horses. And looked forward to the trail ride. Evie said she liked loping and wanted to do more jumping tomorrow. We praised Hannah for getting back in the saddle and had the girls guess how many times Sabrina has fallen off her mustang Tagg. Hannah guessed 3; Evie 5. The correct answer: 26 (most of this in her first year of training and showing him).
To reward their horses, the girls gave them treats. Moki has a funny way of taking treats and accidentally nipped Hannah on her finger. (He has partial face paralysis and can't feel treats with his lip, so he will grab a treat with his teeth. The key, we told Hannah, is to lay the treat flat in her palm.)
We asked Hannah if, despite falling off and getting nipped by her horse, did she still like him and want to come back tomorrow? She laughed and said, “Yes.”
Day 3
When ten o’clock on horse camp morning rolls around, our campers bound out of their cars just brimming with excitement.
Every day, Hannah gets here a few minutes early, ready to go, usually in a horse-themed shirt. And then today, as Evie took Magic’s halter off the hitch ring, she said with a broad smile, “I’m glad I get to go to Horse Camp!”
As the girls approached the pen, Lovey looked at them curiously. This time, Hannah asked if she could try riding Lovey as she has always wanted to ride a brown horse, too. “Do you want to put her in a pink halter?” I asked. Hannah nodded enthusiastically. Lovey looked cute in pink and matched Hannah, who was wearing a dark pink horse shirt.
It was an overcast day, which made it more comfortable to tack up horses. Hannah noticed how much smaller Lovey is compared to Moki, the horse she had been riding the past couple of days – she could brush her back a lot easier. Anna, our neighbor’s cat, came around and hung out in the tack room, getting cuddles from the girls.
Once in the arena, the girls warmed up at the walk. Evie went into a trot soon after, circling the arena and trotting the jump. Hannah worked on getting Lovey into a walk around the poles.
And then it was time for the trail ride. Suddenly, Lovey perked up and decided she would walk happily for Hannah. Even though she is a small horse, she is one of our faster horses on the trail, so Hannah was kind of excited about that. Sabrina rode Moki bareback alongside the campers.
Evie and Hannah smiled, giggled, and looked happily amazed to be riding their horses out on the street. We live on a fairly quiet road, so it is a nice place to go on a trail ride. Even with the few cars that did pass, including the mail carrier, the girls just rode single file calmly like they’d done this before. The horses are great at trail, and I suspect love being able to get out of the yard and arena.
It was a pretty day. The field grasses gleamed golden in the late summer sun, birds swooped and chirped, clouds scuttled and gave us pleasant cover. As our little parade passed, we flushed out grasshoppers which jumped into other hiding places in the brush. The girls sang little snatches of songs.
We turned onto Clay Street, or coyote street, as Sabrina calls it, because people have left coyote carcasses there. And true enough, we passed one just about halfway down. Normally, we’d have passed sheep and other horses in the pasture, but they may already be taken away for the season.
On our way back, the horses picked up their pace. Hannah said it’s like being away on vacation and you get excited as you get closer to your house. After untacking the horses, we cut up some apples Hannah brought for the horses and gave all the horses slices. As their moms picked them up, the girls chattered excitedly about being able to braid their horses’ manes tomorrow after washing them.
Every day, Hannah gets here a few minutes early, ready to go, usually in a horse-themed shirt. And then today, as Evie took Magic’s halter off the hitch ring, she said with a broad smile, “I’m glad I get to go to Horse Camp!”
As the girls approached the pen, Lovey looked at them curiously. This time, Hannah asked if she could try riding Lovey as she has always wanted to ride a brown horse, too. “Do you want to put her in a pink halter?” I asked. Hannah nodded enthusiastically. Lovey looked cute in pink and matched Hannah, who was wearing a dark pink horse shirt.
It was an overcast day, which made it more comfortable to tack up horses. Hannah noticed how much smaller Lovey is compared to Moki, the horse she had been riding the past couple of days – she could brush her back a lot easier. Anna, our neighbor’s cat, came around and hung out in the tack room, getting cuddles from the girls.
Once in the arena, the girls warmed up at the walk. Evie went into a trot soon after, circling the arena and trotting the jump. Hannah worked on getting Lovey into a walk around the poles.
And then it was time for the trail ride. Suddenly, Lovey perked up and decided she would walk happily for Hannah. Even though she is a small horse, she is one of our faster horses on the trail, so Hannah was kind of excited about that. Sabrina rode Moki bareback alongside the campers.
Evie and Hannah smiled, giggled, and looked happily amazed to be riding their horses out on the street. We live on a fairly quiet road, so it is a nice place to go on a trail ride. Even with the few cars that did pass, including the mail carrier, the girls just rode single file calmly like they’d done this before. The horses are great at trail, and I suspect love being able to get out of the yard and arena.
It was a pretty day. The field grasses gleamed golden in the late summer sun, birds swooped and chirped, clouds scuttled and gave us pleasant cover. As our little parade passed, we flushed out grasshoppers which jumped into other hiding places in the brush. The girls sang little snatches of songs.
We turned onto Clay Street, or coyote street, as Sabrina calls it, because people have left coyote carcasses there. And true enough, we passed one just about halfway down. Normally, we’d have passed sheep and other horses in the pasture, but they may already be taken away for the season.
On our way back, the horses picked up their pace. Hannah said it’s like being away on vacation and you get excited as you get closer to your house. After untacking the horses, we cut up some apples Hannah brought for the horses and gave all the horses slices. As their moms picked them up, the girls chattered excitedly about being able to braid their horses’ manes tomorrow after washing them.
June 6-10, 2016 Happy Horse Camp
Day 1
Had a great start to Happy Horse Camp today. We welcomed our Happy Horse Campers, sisters Camden and Emmy, as well as Ellie. The sisters were both were dressed like cowgirls on the occasion of Camden’s birthday. Or maybe because Camden has been super excited about going to horse camp. Or both. She told me, “My dream is to be a barrel racer.” Ellie joined us a few minutes later. She’s ridden a little bit with family. Her dad said he was grateful that she could learn how to care for a horse.
The first thing we did was to learn how to be safe around
the horses. After the girls learned how to
get their horses haltered, we got a little hands on experience on leading
the horses because mischievous Tagg, Sabrina’s mustang who always wants to be
in on the action but wasn’t going to be used for camp this year, bolted out of
the open gate. Oops. Fortunately, the girls kept their cool and held on to
their horses by the lead rope, we got Tagg back in the pen, and the girls
proceeded to groom their horses. I was super impressed with how willing the
girls were to pick their horses hooves – not an easy task, but fortunately they persisted and got some
pebbles out.
After tacking up, it was finally riding time, the moment
they were all waiting for. This was Camden’s first time, and her eyes went huge
with worry. “It’s so high up here,” she said. But soon, her dimples were
showing, and she was having a blast on Moki. Emmy was nervous, too, but once
she got a hang of how this riding thing worked, she also relaxed quite a bit.
Ellie, we could tell, has ridden before, and Lovey was a little stubborn at
first but eventually she was able to get her into a trot.
Everything was on a walk at first, but at the end, we had
the girls trotting. We did have a bit of excitement. Camden was having so much
fun at a trot, Moki started loping. Not wild at all, but faster than what she
was prepared for. In all the excitement, she forgot the emergency stop but when
the horse did stop, she was still in saddle, like a trooper of a cowgirl. She
was understandably scared, but she was brave and got on Moki again at a walk, so that she and Moki could
end today on a good note.
It was a super hot day. The girls and the horses all guzzled
water gladly throughout and at the end of the two hours. But they had stories
to tell, and we talked about things we would be working on tomorrow. A great
first day at Happy Horse Camp! :-)
PS Camden and Emmy, their mom and little friends came back in the afternoon for a birthday
party for Camden. It was fun to see the girls apply the things they learned
today (leading them at halter, tacking up, and steering their horses). Some of their friends were hesitant about
riding, but when they got on the horse and steered them around obstacles, their
smiles said it all.
Day 2
Today tacking up went so much quicker as we now have some pros in camp. We worked some more on building everyone's confidence at the trot and getting their horses to listen better, then ended with treats for everyone (horses and humans). The girls are looking forward to a little neighborhood trail ride tomorrow.
Day 3
Trail ride day! The girls couldn't wait. But first, we warmed up the horses in the arena with a fun game of Red Light Green Light. Drew, who was off today, was "it". The girls did great getting their horses to move and stop. Camden and Moki won each time. Afterwards, we did musical poles, where they circled poles and got their horses' front hooves over them when the music stopped.
Then it was off to go on our neighborhood trail ride. We kept their lead ropes on, just in case, but ended up not needing them. The girls and horses did so well. I loved seeing the girls smiling and having a blast on their horses while progressing in their riding skills and confidence. Tomorrow, we'll do some arena work, then wash the horses and get them all pretty for Friday's graduation.
Day 4
The thunderstorm that was supposed to come through never did, which was perfect today, so the girls could ride, then wash their horses. Sierra was home, so she helped Emmy work with Sierra's horse Raffiki. (Sierra trained Raffiki as a colt so she knows how to make him listen, and shared tips)
Today, he was good for Emmy, trotting for her. She had an easier time streering him. Throughout her ride, she was grinning from ear to ear. Raffiki's secret is out...he can move! :-)
Ellie wanted to try trotting once again. Lovey appeared to be listening better, thanks to her persistence. Ellie's favorite was riding the poles with Lovey.
Camden continues to do well at keeping a good hold of her reins...and steering Moki. On her own, she was able to get Moki to the barrel, pick up a bucket, get an item out and put it back. All the while keeping hold of her reins. The other girls did great, too. She practiced riding in a pleasure class along the rail and was riding so confidently she needed to pass the other girls.
After this arena work, the girls took the horses to the wash rack for a good washing. Thanks to a leaky hose, not only did the horses get soaked but the girls, too. It was so hot, no one seemed to mind too much.
After getting their horses clean, they braided their manes and tails. So pretty. We left the horses tied up at the wash rack to dry (if taken back to the pen wet, they would turn muddy rolling on their backs), then talked about what they want to showcase in the parents show tomorrow. The horses and the girls are ready! ♥
Day 5
Graduation Day! The girls warmed up their horses for a little bit in the arena and then it was time to show off some things they learned during the week. Red Light Green Light was a great way to show their steering and stopping skills. Guess who won? Yup, Moki, with a little help from Camden. :-) We tried golf-ball-in-a-spoon and decided that a hard-boiled egg would be easier to balance next time. :-) The bucket challenge took some doing. The girls got nervous, I think, as their moms watched. But they were still good sports and did it.
The last portion of the mini-show was the girls got to show off something that they enjoyed the most at camp. Emmy and Camden trotted their horses; Ellie trotted a pattern through the poles. Sabrina capped it all by complimenting the girls on their riding progress and increased confidence, mentioning specific examples.
We enjoyed an after-treat of juicy watermelon, then saved the rinds and gave them to all the horses. They deserved it! Super proud of Emmy, Camden and Ellie, for all they were willing to try and work hard on this week.
As I talked to Camden's mom afterwards, I asked if Camden had ridden before and the answer was no. Which was a huge surprise because she has turned out to be a great little rider, always wanting to trot. Emmy wins the award for the quickest-to-tack-up-her-ho
Thanks for following along with our adventures. :-) Do you know a child ages 8 and up who would have fun at Happy Horse Camp? We have two more camps, July 18-22 and August 8-12. We also have a mini horse camp for ages 4-7 on August 6. To register or for more information, click on the tabs above.
Day 2
Today tacking up went so much quicker as we now have some pros in camp. We worked some more on building everyone's confidence at the trot and getting their horses to listen better, then ended with treats for everyone (horses and humans). The girls are looking forward to a little neighborhood trail ride tomorrow.
Day 3
Then it was off to go on our neighborhood trail ride. We kept their lead ropes on, just in case, but ended up not needing them. The girls and horses did so well. I loved seeing the girls smiling and having a blast on their horses while progressing in their riding skills and confidence. Tomorrow, we'll do some arena work, then wash the horses and get them all pretty for Friday's graduation.
Day 4
The thunderstorm that was supposed to come through never did, which was perfect today, so the girls could ride, then wash their horses. Sierra was home, so she helped Emmy work with Sierra's horse Raffiki. (Sierra trained Raffiki as a colt so she knows how to make him listen, and shared tips)
Today, he was good for Emmy, trotting for her. She had an easier time streering him. Throughout her ride, she was grinning from ear to ear. Raffiki's secret is out...he can move! :-)
Ellie wanted to try trotting once again. Lovey appeared to be listening better, thanks to her persistence. Ellie's favorite was riding the poles with Lovey.
Camden continues to do well at keeping a good hold of her reins...and steering Moki. On her own, she was able to get Moki to the barrel, pick up a bucket, get an item out and put it back. All the while keeping hold of her reins. The other girls did great, too. She practiced riding in a pleasure class along the rail and was riding so confidently she needed to pass the other girls.
After this arena work, the girls took the horses to the wash rack for a good washing. Thanks to a leaky hose, not only did the horses get soaked but the girls, too. It was so hot, no one seemed to mind too much.
After getting their horses clean, they braided their manes and tails. So pretty. We left the horses tied up at the wash rack to dry (if taken back to the pen wet, they would turn muddy rolling on their backs), then talked about what they want to showcase in the parents show tomorrow. The horses and the girls are ready! ♥
Day 5
Graduation Day! The girls warmed up their horses for a little bit in the arena and then it was time to show off some things they learned during the week. Red Light Green Light was a great way to show their steering and stopping skills. Guess who won? Yup, Moki, with a little help from Camden. :-) We tried golf-ball-in-a-spoon and decided that a hard-boiled egg would be easier to balance next time. :-) The bucket challenge took some doing. The girls got nervous, I think, as their moms watched. But they were still good sports and did it.
The last portion of the mini-show was the girls got to show off something that they enjoyed the most at camp. Emmy and Camden trotted their horses; Ellie trotted a pattern through the poles. Sabrina capped it all by complimenting the girls on their riding progress and increased confidence, mentioning specific examples.
We enjoyed an after-treat of juicy watermelon, then saved the rinds and gave them to all the horses. They deserved it! Super proud of Emmy, Camden and Ellie, for all they were willing to try and work hard on this week.
As I talked to Camden's mom afterwards, I asked if Camden had ridden before and the answer was no. Which was a huge surprise because she has turned out to be a great little rider, always wanting to trot. Emmy wins the award for the quickest-to-tack-up-her-ho
Thanks for following along with our adventures. :-) Do you know a child ages 8 and up who would have fun at Happy Horse Camp? We have two more camps, July 18-22 and August 8-12. We also have a mini horse camp for ages 4-7 on August 6. To register or for more information, click on the tabs above.
Day 1
Today, we met our Happy Horse Campers: Kapri, 9 (in the blue shirt) and Randi, 10, (in the red shirt). They are both horse crazy and have ridden horses with family before. But they did some things for the first time today, like picking their horses' hooves. (They both decided they don't want to shoe horses for a living someday. It's hard on your back!)
The girls matched up well with their horses. Kapri rode Taia and Randi rode Magic. In the arena, they steered their horses, maneuvered through obstacles like a wood bridge, poles, barrels and jumps. At a walk first, then trot. They are getting their horses to listen. We had them do everything from taking them out of the pen, tacking them up, riding them, and of course, giving them a treat at the end before taking them back to their pen. Great job, girls!
Today, we met our Happy Horse Campers: Kapri, 9 (in the blue shirt) and Randi, 10, (in the red shirt). They are both horse crazy and have ridden horses with family before. But they did some things for the first time today, like picking their horses' hooves. (They both decided they don't want to shoe horses for a living someday. It's hard on your back!)
The girls matched up well with their horses. Kapri rode Taia and Randi rode Magic. In the arena, they steered their horses, maneuvered through obstacles like a wood bridge, poles, barrels and jumps. At a walk first, then trot. They are getting their horses to listen. We had them do everything from taking them out of the pen, tacking them up, riding them, and of course, giving them a treat at the end before taking them back to their pen. Great job, girls!
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Day 2
The girls worked on steering their horses through the poles. Kapri started with spurs on Taia, but we had her take them off when Taia speeded up more than Kapri was comfortable. We worked on posture and hand placement as they maneuvered obstacles. Randi wanted to lope, and when we gave her the go-ahead to do so, Kapri wanted to try it, too. The girls were able to ride their horses at a lope along the rail. A new thing today - cleaning up after their horses. :-)
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Day 3
After warming up the horses in the arena, the girls went on a little trail ride around the neighborhood.
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