Since our beginning in 1997 we have combined our rescue program efforts with educational efforts to help end the abuse and neglect of horses.
This year’s “Care and Keeping of Horses” camp promotes the responsibilities involved with horse ownership. Participants learn via an age-appropriate curriculum which gives information on the history of the horse, horse behavior, types of horses, what horses are used for, what horse abuse is and basics of horse care. Learning involves books, video, hands-on and other interactive tools.
Summary of Mid-Week Activity
Campers started their day by cleaning the barn, sweeping, filling waters and mucking the pasture, a necessary skill for horse ownership! We were visited by “Little B” and Lena who is leasing her before making a commitment to buying a horse. Lena demonstrated bareback riding as well as skills she practices before trying out for Rangerettes. We played a Prey/Predator game where we learned about mountain lions and wild horses. We also studied horse markings on their faces and legs as well as anatomy. Both Splash and Cricket had stickers all over them as campers showed they knew the parts of the horse by placing a small colored sticker on that part.
We were visited by Dr. Holly who floated Splash’s teeth and wormed Cricket, two important steps to keeping horses healthy. We also read the story of MOLLY, a pony who survived Hurricane Katrina and learned to walk with a prosthetic leg. We then groomed all of the horses and played another Prey/Predator game.
Campers were able to watch a short video from Front Range Equine Rescue which showed some of the horses rescued from neglect/abuse over the years. The day ended with a story called “Lonesome” which taught us that since horses are herd animals they need companions, they should always listen to their mother and not eat Loco Weed. We then decided we all need to listen to our mothers!
I just wanted to thank you for sending out the summary of the daily activities. I’ve enjoyed reading what Sophia did during camp and it enables us to have a really good conversation about the day when I get home. Thank you. (Jason, CO)
End of the Week Summary (M. Nagle, education coordinator)
It was our privilege to have your children at camp with us this week. I was touched by their responses at the end of the day about what they learned and how horses should always be treated: with respect and love!
Our final day of camp started by cleaning the barn and then walking across the street to visit a neighbor’s two former racehorses. One had her eye damaged when a jockey struck her eye with his crop; the eye had to be removed. We returned and played a “wild band stallion” game and then watched a jumping presentation. Two former students (now age 16) and horse owners came and warmed up, eventually jumping 3′ jumps. Campers got to pretend to be horses while learning how to correctly halter and lead a horse. They paired up and created jump patterns in the jump field area. Everyone won first place – blue ribbons which serve as book marks! We also created horse collages and played horse relay games. We groomed all of the horses and ended the day with another “Quincy” story.
Thank you so much! Bridget Leslie had a great time. On our drive up to the mountains today, she was naming the different breeds of horses that we saw! (Shana, CO)
