Event Phone: 403.408.7674
Horsemanship Classes
(Sunday @ 4:30 pm)
Class Dates: April 29, May 6, 13, 20, 27, June 3,10
Rain-Out Dates: June 17, 24
Ranch Gymkhana & Family BBQ Date: TBD (on a weekend)
A great introduction to horses for children who are good listeners and can follow instruction (recommended age 4+).
Gaining on-the-ground confidence around horses is an important first step before getting on the horse. As such the first lessons are taught on the ground learning how to respect, care and be safe around horses, and how to properly handle them from the ground up. Little Wranglers will learn how to catch, halter, groom, lead, start and stop, and do basic obstacles with their equine partner.
Once they have gained on-the-ground confidence around their horse, they will build on this foundation and progress onto the horse by learning how to tack up, mount, balance and ride. Then we’ll add in fun games and gymkhana activities to challenge those horse skills!
Depending on the age and size of the children signed up the class size may vary between 3 and 5 students. Horses will be matched according to the size of the child.
Other information:
- This is an outdoor class so please dress children warmly in layers, long jeans and have them wear boots with a heal (preferably riding boots). If you don’t have any boots Lammle’s Western Wear is a great place to shop (the Shawnessy location in Calgary is the closest).
- Please bring your own helmet, although we have a few children would be more comfortable wearing their own.
- Parents are welcome to stay and watch, and can volunteer to help. Or relax for an hour in the HorsePlay bunkhouse which has full amenities.
HorsePlay is based out of Big Rock Farms, a 120 year old family run ranch just SW of Okotoks.
There are no upcoming dates for this event.
Venue: Location
Venue Phone: 587.394.7674
Address:
Description:
HorsePlay! at Big Rock Ranch (est. 1885), is a 140+ yr old family owned ranch located just 12 minutes SW of the town of Okotoks, AB.
Note: In Google Maps, you can just type in Big Rock Ranch or HorsePlay! Ranch Adventures.
DIRECTIONS
From Okotoks:
- Take highway 7 heading west towards Diamond Valley. You’ll see the Big Rock Erratic and then take the next turn South (left) on 64th street.
- Look for the ‘HorsePlay / Big Rock Ranch’ sign on the West (right) side of the road. (If you go past the 434th Ave intersection you’ve gone too far.)
- Drive straight past several white farm buildings and park by the white building with the HorsePlay sign in the window.
From Calgary: Follow the signs to Okotoks and Diamond Valley. You can either drive through Okotoks or go via Aldersyde to get to highway 7. Then follow the Okotoks instructions listed above.
From High River:
- Take highway 543 heading west towards Hartell and Longview.
- Turn North (right) on 64th street.
- Go past 434th Ave and take the first turn West (left) into a wide driveway. There is a big ‘HorsePlay / Big Rock Ranch’ sign.
- Drive straight past several white farm buildings and park by the white building with the HorsePlay sign in the window.
From Black Diamond/Turner Valley:
- Take highway 22 heading South towards Longview.
- Turn East onto 434th Ave (heading towards the MD dump).
- Turn North (left) on 64th street and then take the first turn left again into a wide driveway. (There is a big ‘HorsePlay / Big Rock Ranch’ sign.)
- Drive straight past several white farm buildings and park by the white building with the HorsePlay sign in the window.