Event Phone: 587.394.7674

Ranch Adventures (Sat @ 12:30)

An active outdoor adventure for both a guardian and child to do together with their pony.  Recommended age 4 to 8 years old.

We enjoy teaching children (along with a guardian) all about horses, ranch life and nature!  Previously a five week series, this is now an EIGHT week program that incorporates more solo riding lessons into the last 4 weeks of the program!  So moms, dads and/or grandparents bring your hiking boots, suntan lotion and be prepared to learn how to wrangle ponies too.  Once your little is ready to ride on their own, you are welcome to drop and go!!

Cost: $496
Total Adventure time: 1.5 hours
*Add 30 minutes if you register for an adventure picnic.

We will spend the first class getting to know our ponies, grooming and teaching mom or dad the basic horsemanship skills. Once everyone is comfortable we’ll leave the home paddock with the kids on horseback to head out on various ranch adventures and hikes.

These Mini Ranchers will learn how to take care of horses, check cows, open and close gates, go over and through all kinds of obstacles all while exploring the ranch and helping to do a few ranch chores.   During our walks through various alley-ways and pastures, we’ll look for cows & calves, seasonal flowers and grasses, splash through creeks, climb hills, spy on ‘Sally’ the hawk, hunt for foxes, watch muskrats and even visit some old cow bones.  For the older kids that really show confidence on their pony or horse, we will give basic riding advice as we go along and could even have them riding solo before the last class!!

This is a great way to give your child the confidence and balance needed to ride a horse in a natural and fun learning environment.  It makes the transition into solo riding lessons easy!

Other information:

 Please read our Purchase Agreement & Code of Conduct page prior to registration.

 Please download an ‘Acknowledgment & Release Form’ to print out and sign.  This needs to accompany your child when you sign in on the first day.

What to wear:

• Dress in layers depending on the forecast and please ensure your child wears long pants or leggings.  If chilly, kids in snow pants to keep legs warm in the saddle is the way to go.
• We encourage footwear with a heel, such as wear rubber boots or cowboy boots, however young kids often prefer to cling with their legs rather than use stirrups, and we are ok with that.
• If possible, please wear cowboy boots, or winter boots with a heal and warm socks. No open toed shoes allowed.
• A properly fitted helmet. Please ensure helmets fit and that hair is flat (no braids or ponytails) so that helmet fits snug against the head.
• Bring  a water bottle that can be tied to the saddle.

Other Information:

• The bunkhouse has a baby changing station, kitchenette and a small lounge.
• The ranch bunkhouse has juice boxes, water and pop, as well as pre-packaged granola bars and chips on site at minimal cost if kids get hungry.
• Staff are certified in standard first aid and CPR.
• Please don’t feed the ponies treats without permission.

HorsePlay Merchandise can also be pre-ordered and set aside for pick-up!

HorsePlay is based out of Big Rock Ranch (est. 1885), just 12 minutes SW of Okotoks. For more information and directions, please go to the Location page.