Event Phone: 587.394.7674

Spring Ranch Rider Camp

Recommended age 9 – 18
April 21 to 25 (Mon to Fri), 9 am to 4 pm
Full and Half Day options

Five days of horses and cattle! Kids will experience ranch life and the chores that go with animal husbandry.

Learning how to be a great rider is a life long learning journey. Teaching the basics about horsemanship is essential for the new rider, and will be reviewed, refined and expanded on for those with experience.  We have the flexibility, the horses and wranglers available to adapt to any learning level.  During the first day kids will be put into groups depending on their age, size and riding ability.

We will ride in controlled spaces at first to build trust and confidence between the horse and its rider.  We will do a variety of arena exercises, games and gymkhana events., as well as expanding to pen check cattle and adding in some real cowboy obstacles.  Since calving season starts for us in April, our goal is to have all the kids riding out into big pastures to check for early calves.  Much of what we teach about our food supply and how ranchers manage their herds and sell their stock is done on the back of a horse as we ride around.  We will often stop and admire wildlife and point out how we share our pastures and water supplies with all sorts of animals, not just our own.

Lots of action here for future cowgirls and cowboys.  This spring we have some very friendly colts that have been freshly halter trained that need to be walked around and loved on.  Colts are great for teaching kids how to interpret animal behaviour!   Introduction to roping can be provided to those that are interested. We also have a lot of bulls and feeder cattle right now that need to be grained and salt blocks to be put out for those that are interested in heavy lifting!  This will all be done safety and under supervision.

This spring all students will be receiving a customised ranch work/activity book to journal in, press in items, and record theory learned each day about both horses and cattle.   A really great memory book to keep and review with family at home.

Costs:

$700 plus GST for Full Day or $575 plus GST for Half Day (1pm to 4pm)

What Kids Need to Bring:

• Their own water bottle that they can tie to a saddle.
• A hearty lunch with a few extra snacks.
• Dress in layers depending on the forecast.  If cold, kids should bring snow pants to keep legs warm in the saddle or long underwear under loose jeans.
• Wear cowboy boots, or winter boots with a heal and warm socks.
• A properly fitted helmet and warm gloves.
• Any personal medication that may be required.
• Please ensure helmets fit and that hair is flat (no braids or ponytails) so that helmet fits snug against the head.

Note:  

• 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.
• A variety of HorsePlay and Ranch Merchandise onsite that can also be pre-ordered and set aside for pick-up!
• Staff are certified in standard first aid and CPR.

❗ 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.

❗Please email if you require before and after care.