Event Phone: 587.394.7674

Teen Clinic – Barn Management & Horsemanship

A hands-on, deep dive into the equine world for the teens (ages 12 +)

So your teen thinks they are ready to purchase their own horse, are they? Let’s get out of the heated riding arena and do some ranching and find out what it really takes to manage different pens and pastures of horses, ponies, and cattle.  This clinic is the behind-the-scenes look at livestock management, husbandry, training and maintenance required in the equine industry. Everything takes place on here on Big Rock Ranch (est. 1885), an active working ranch that has been in the Carr family for 130+ years

This camp is designed for teens who want (or need) to understand the importance behind horse care, and offers first-hand access to the professionals who are needed to keep a ranch running.

Beyond the Saddle ?

• • 🚜 Ranch Operations: Experience the “grit and reward” of ranch life.
  • ❓What is involved in buying or leasing a horse?  We will talk about understanding basic boarding costs vs performance horse maintenance,  the importance of investing in lessons, how to select a boarding facility, riding program and/or trainer, hauling costs, trailer safety, and much more.
    
  • 🐎 Groundwork, Communication and mental toughness: Leadership starts on the ground an confidence starts within, so we will be having some conversations about mental toughness and goal setting.  (If you have a teen that is used to handling only well broke lesson horses, this is when we give them a chance to work with a few colts.)
  • 🐎 Body work and conditioning:  Meet and work with a bodywork clinician, Amy Montgomery (Willow Creek Equine) to evaluate a current case study, hypothetical case studies, and address common saddle fit mistakes that will hurt your horse.
  • 🩹 Equine Health and First Aid: Learn about how to handle an emergency and apply field dressings for both horse and rider.  What do you need to pack in your home kit or saddle bags? When to deworm, when to supplement.  How to select a vet. When to call? Meet one of our favourite vets booked for an onsite clinical appointment.

  • ⚒️ Farrier/hoof health :  Understanding what a good trim looks like and how to train a colt to pick up feet.

Our goal is to empower the next generation of horsemen and women with the knowledge it takes before you even swing a leg over a horse.

A few of our own ranch raised wranglers will be available each day to assist youth with horses and individual tasks.  This is a great opportunity to rub shoulders with them on challenges they have met and hurdles they have overcome.  We have a few wranglers who are leaving for college soon so maybe we might even find a couple handy new replacements this week!!

What Teens Need to Bring:

• Their own water bottle and lunch.  (There is also a mini-fridge with $1 pop and pre-packaged mostly healthy snacks on site.)
• Dress for the weather and wear layers. No exceptions.  Please bring both cowboy boots and rubber boots, and work gloves.
• Any personal medication that may be required.

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.

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