| Is your child or teen horse crazy? Many children and | | | | provide as much support and security as does a |
| teens are fascinated with horses and horseback riding. | | | | Western style saddle. If your child is a first time rider, |
| Attending a horseback riding camp will give them a | | | | they might want to consider a Western riding camp. |
| basic knowledge of horses and riding as well as an | | | | Horseback riding camps generally offer lessons for |
| interesting summer camp destination. | | | | experienced riders as well as those who have never |
| While the focus of horseback riding camps is, | | | | been on a horse before. Experienced riders will |
| obviously, riding horses, these camps also teach other | | | | generally be placed in a class they will find challenging |
| important factors of horse ownership and care. During | | | | while beginning riders will begin by learning the basics |
| their camp time, campers will learn about the different | | | | of how to properly mount and sit on a horse. Riders |
| types of tack used to ride or drive a horse. Camp | | | | with little riding experience are paired with an older, |
| attendees will also learn how to clean and care for | | | | gentler animal while those with more experience ride |
| tack. Also offered at horse riding camps are sessions | | | | the younger more spirited animals. |
| on proper horse care. During these sessions, campers | | | | In addition to riding lessons, some horseback riding |
| will be taught how to feed, water and groom a horse. | | | | camps also offer classes in driving miniature horses. In |
| Some camps ever offer classes in equine anatomy, | | | | these classes students learn to control the horse as |
| perfect for children who think they may want to | | | | they ride in a small cart pulled by the animal. Another |
| become a veterinarian. | | | | popular horseback activity is vaulting. Simply put, |
| When choosing a horseback riding camp, you must | | | | vaulting is gymnastics on horseback. For this sport, |
| first decide which style of riding your child wants to | | | | horses with large, flat backs are lunged, or driven, in a |
| learn. The main riding styles are western and English. | | | | circle while students perform gymnastic tricks on their |
| Western riding is generally associated with cowboys, | | | | backs. Although this sport may sound dangerous and |
| ranches, and rodeos. Popular western riding activities | | | | difficult, students generally find it is easier than it |
| include trail riding and barrel racing. Western saddles | | | | sounds. |
| were designed with the comfort and security of the | | | | For horse lovers, horseback riding camp can be a |
| rider in mind, so it has a higher seat back (cantle) and | | | | great way to spend at least part of the summer. In the |
| front (pommel) so riders feel secure while on the | | | | course of these camps, campers can learn the basics |
| horse. English riding, on the other hand, generally | | | | of riding or improve their riding skills. They will also learn |
| focuses on jumping, racing and horsemanship. This | | | | important horse care issues such as horse health and |
| style of riding requires the horse and rider both to have | | | | anatomy. These riding camps can be a great source |
| more freedom of movement, so these saddles don't | | | | of fun and experience with horses. |