About "Unmounted & Summer Camp Curriculum"
Complete summer camp lesson plans for your program during the whole summer for beginners through advanced riders including:
- Riding lesson plans
- GamesÂ
- Crafts
- Complete curriculum on topics like stable management, measuring horses, etc
And many more new ideas and games to make your camp the BEST camp in your area!
Unmounted & Summer Camp Curriculum
Teach campers how to properly mount from a block, the ground, and a leg up as well as how to dismount...
The principal body parts involved in forming proper position are the lower leg, base of support (hips to knees), upper body,hands, arms and seat.
This worksheet will remind campers of the steps to mounting and dismounting a horse and basic equitation of hands, legs, & feet. There is also a fill-in-the-blank activity so you can review with campers what they learned.
Teach the campers how to use the natural and artificial aids. Aids are the signals that riders use to communicate with a horse.
Teach campers the sequence of footfalls in all horse gaits...
General flat work campers should focus on...
An activity to teach campers about the safety of riding horseback out in the open...
A worksheet and riding activity to teach campers about properly warming a horse up...
Worksheets you can print out for campers about english and western saddle/bridle parts...
Conditioning is a system of bringing a horse to a level of fitness that is sufficient for it to do its job efficiently and correctly. Teach campers how to correctly condition...
A blank worksheet for riders to fill out a conditioning plan for their horse or even an "imaginary" horse...
Print out the following fill in the blank worksheet for campers to learn about the footfalls of the horse. While lunging a horse, explain...
Print out the numbers in the following printout and the campers will pretend to be horses and learn how to move at a walk, trot, and canter while using their own legs and arms...
Basic jumping terms include...
Teach campers about the different types of cross country fences and more...
A few fun classroom activities to teach campers about show jumping...
Camp activities related to dressage...
Classroom camp activities related to learning about foxhunting...
Have campers try their hand at western trail patterns or obstacle courses - even in an english saddle!
While campers are out trail riding (or can even be done on a walk out on the trails on foot) see who can spot the most on your list...
While trail riding with campers, show them...
Anybody riding horse, can easily cover enough ground to get themselves lost if they don't have basic back country navigation skills. You can also have the kids use...
Grooming, Bathing, & Clipping
Grooming is a job that should be performed daily on a horse.
BATHINGIn general, it is far better to groom a horse than to bathe it. Bathing strips the horse’s coat of oil and makes the coat dull.
A gelding’s or stallion’s sheath and a mare’s udder should be cleaned on a regular basis.
When showing, a horse should be clean, neat and well turned out. Part of this requires attention to the mane, tail,muzzle, ears and lower legs.Â
Pulled manes are a necessity for many riding disciplines...
Print out this worksheet about grooming for campers - there is also a page with fill-in-the-blanks!
The counselors will demo to the campers how to properly groom a horse. After the demo, split the campers into teams or pairs depending upon number of horses and counselors. Campers need to...
Teach different braids to campers and ...
Split the campers up into teams, pairs, or individuals. You can choose a theme...
Split campers into teams or pairs. One person from each team will wear a blindfold and be given...
Teach campers how horses should be groomed and ready for shows such as...
Advanced campers should be scrubbing the horse’s...
A worksheet for campers to learn about grooming tools. Campers will have to label a picture of each tool and describe its use...
A worksheet for campers to match the name of a grooming tool to its picture...
Campers will make a video...
A fill in the blank worksheet for campers to learn about the order of grooming, why we groom, and when we should groom!
General safety rules for being around horses...
Teach campers about stall safety such as...
Print out these worksheets for your campers to fill out and learn about the rules/safety around horses...
Go over the safety rules of the barn and then...
As you go over safety rules with campers...
Measuring horse weights and bringing awareness to their size...
Assign campers a safety rule....
Have a discussion with campers with the following Q&A...
A fill in the blank worksheet for campers to learn about barn safety...
Campers will look at a picture and list all of the safety hazards in the picture. They can also color the page too!
These worksheets will help your campers prepare a budget that outlines the estimated annual expense for boarding, farrier and veterinary care, basic horse equipment, and worming materials.
Horses that live in stalls often need help to keep their bodies at a comfortable temperature. In the wild, horses huddle together when they are cold and roll in the mud or go into rivers when they are too hot. Stabled horses need help controlling their body temperature with blankets, fans, heaters, or whatever else may be necessary. A camper activity using blankets...
Restraining a horse is often necessary for clipping, shoeing or veterinary care.Â
Print out these worksheets for campers to learn how to tie a quick release knot and other important knots...
Place lead ropes around...*Can also be played on foot instead of horseback...
A worksheet that goes over the steps to tying a quick release knot...
A handout for campers about the basics on how to buy or lease a horse and what to look for...
One of the most important aspects of keeping a horse healthy is making sure that it receives free-choice water and appropriate feed on a regular schedule. Horses require a balanced diet of water, roughage and salt to survive.
Campers can fill out this feed label analysis worksheet of...
Horses are prey animals, and therefore are wary of predators sneaking up on them...
Participants watch as several horses are let loose in the arena and allowed to interact with each other. Hay or grain can be added to encourage further herd behavior. Instructor asks participants to note any specific changes in behavior. Then discuss.Questions include:What did you observe the horses doing? and more...
Discuss the horse's senses with the activity guide. Then have the kids observe a herd of horses in a pasture and explain to them the behaviors of the herd. After pointing out horse behavior examples to the campers, ask them what behavior they think each horse is exhibiting...Â
Have campers observe the herd again and ask them what horses look like they are in charge vs horses that are more submissive...
Have campers watch horses while they eat grain either outside or in a stall. Observe which horses are the most aggressive eaters and which are most timid. Do any of the horses tend to “bolt” (eat too rapidly) their feed? Record observations.
Introduce horses into a new environment or put a new object into their existing environment. Young horses often work best. Observe behavioral responses.Do different horses respond in different ways? Read on for more...
Here is a discussion Q&A on horse behavior you use with your campers...
Discuss horse psychology (as prey animals they get scared and defend themselves by running or kicking), horse sight (range of vision, where they can and can’t see), and how these relate (if a horse feels threatened, they may try to run away or defend themselves).Using pictures of a horse, students are asked to place a red X on areas of the horse that are unsafe or undesirable to stand near or walk around. Green Xs are place on safe areas (at the horse’s shoulder, and slightly off to the side of the horse’s face). Or use a real school horse and let gets put a green x using washable paint or just sticky note to designate safe areas. The instructor will show the kids the red areas....Â
Vices have been linked to boredom, nervousness, lack of exercise, neglect or inattention. Horses can learn stable vices fromother horses.Â
A fill in the blank worksheet for campers to learn about stable vices...
Print the next two pages on card or cover stock. Cut up. Turn them face down and have each camper select one card.Have them act out the vice and have the other campers:1) Guess what vice/bad habit it is, 2) What is the likely cause, and 3) treatment.
A handout for campers on basic horse behavior such as understanding how horses see, hear, smell, memory, etc, and about vices
Show campers how to check the trailer for any potential hazards such as rust or weak floorboards...
Show campers how to hook up a truck and trailer if possible.Have campers help pack the trailer for a "pretend" horse show, trail ride, or trip to the vet...
Have the campers help prep a horse for travel to an imaginary event by grooming, putting on shipping boots or wraps, etc.Instructors should demonstrate how to safely load and unload a horse after prep.
Fill in the blank worksheets for campers to learn about trailer loading and unloading as well as types of trailers and hitches...
A fill in the blank worksheet where campers will label the pictures of items needed while shipping horses...
Print out the following cards that individually list the steps to loading and unloading a horse from a trailer. Campers must put the cards in order...
Print out the trailer safety checklist. Using a real horse trailer, review the safety checklist with campers...
Pair up the campers in teams of two. Assign one camper as the...
Have campers make their own...
This was a big hit with the campers as they were excited to...
To get started with our project, we would pair up the campers and give them a budget. The budget would include...
Participants are given a card...
For this game, put letters on heavy card stock...
This game involves describing horses...
Campers begin by drawing their ideal...
Bridles are required for this game; campers play this game in pairs...
Campers will work in pairs. The "horse" is...
Campers can decorate for a...
Print out pictures of local...
Fun games the campers will enjoy that are not horse related...
Let campers use a horse as their canvas with non-toxic washable paint...
Campers will learn about the symbols native americans used on their horses and recreate the look on a school horse...
A list of questions and answers you can use for quizzes, jeopardy games, etc...
Campers will look through a horse/farm themed newspaper and copy down specific ads...
Campers can decoupage picture frames with pictures of horses from magazines...
Have campers decorate helmet covers...
A list of other arts and craft ideas for campers...
Set up a campfire in fire pit or other safe area. Have water ready to put the fire out when done. Campers can roast marshmallows to make s'mores...
Try this artistic science experiment to show your kids how shade protects us from the Sun’s ultraviolet rays.What You'll NeedColorful construction paperClear plastic wrap, or a large piece of plexiglassLeaves, flowers, or other flat itemsSmall rocks to use as weights
Campers strangely love this activity of painting "pet" rocks...
Campers will write a daily journal page where they list three things they learned, what horse they rode, etc. Take lots of photos that are to be printed and turned into a scrapbook with the journal pages...
Campers can make bracelets from horse hair...
Have campers dress up their favorite school horse...
Create and give every camper a "Best ___" certificate and a picture of them on their favorite horse at the end of camp.Â
Have the more advanced campers critique the position or horsemanship of riders in pictures, videos, or movies...
Advanced campers can be assigned a topic and using magazines/internet/horse books they will research and present to each other...
Take a video of each rider and ask them to come up with three things they could work on...
The instructor will set up clues for campers to find and to direct them as to which way the fox had gone. Sometimes arrows, sometimes clues written on paper and stuck in a tree...
Each kid gets a lump of clay, and made an impression of their horse's hoofprint...
Get Popsicle sticks from the craft store and younger campers can make Popsicle stick horse jumps...
There are many different games you can play with a blindfold and objects around the barn.Assemble/disassemble a saddle or bridleIdentify different pieces of tackIdentify grooming toolsScent or taste test: Use apples, carrots, molasses, sugar cubes, etc...
You send campers one at a time into the tack room to pick out a piece of equipment that they have no idea what is or what it's for, then you let everyone take a guess. "Prize" to the one that gets the closest. Then you explain what it is, and even show them if you can...
Place lead ropes around certain supports in the arena like fence posts, standards, etc. Have riders practice tying a quick release knot (on horseback or dismounted) on two different lead ropes each. Then they have to trot back in the saddle to the center of the ring before the other person. Can also be played on foot!
Print out these coloring pages for campers to color with crayons or colored pencils...
For advanced campers only, teach campers how to build obstacles...
Kids craft for making horses out of toilet paper rolls; instructions and templates included...
Make an obstacle course (or have the kids design one themselves!)
Freeze items in ice for kids to chisel out (younger kids)
Take the campers fishing if you have a pond on your farm
Have the kids make their own personal pizzas
8 fun activities for young kids including coloring, matching, and more
Good ground manners make a horse easier to handle and set the foundation for a good working relationship between horse and handler.Â
Games campers can play with horses in-hand...
A list of skills for advanced campers to learn...
More groundwork skills for advanced campers to learn...
Part three of advanced skills for older campers...
Print out worksheets for your campers about showmanship...
Teach campers about pleasure driving with this woksheet...
Have campers create a video on how to teach/ask a horse for an in-hand skill such as sidepassing over a pole, turn on the forehand, back up...
A fill in the blank worksheet for campers to learn about horse ground manners...
Topic & Goals for sessionTasks may include• Catching a horse • Leading a horse • Tying up • Picking up and clean a front hoof • Put on and take off a sheet
Teach campers how to properly stretch their horses with these easy carrot stretches....
Eight fun groundwork and lunging activities for instructors to demonstrate. Campers can try their hand at it next.
Longeing can be a wonderful training tool for horse and rider when it is handled in an appropriate manner.
Campers can learn the basics of lunging by lunging each other. I like to do a demo first where an instructor shows the kids how to lunge a horse...
Advanced campers should learn and demonstrate proper fit of equipment, including bridle and cavesson (optional), saddle or surcingle, and side reins.They should learn how to lunge mount on a 20 m circle, initiating connection through safe lunging techniques and proper use of aids (lunge line, whip, voice, and body position) in order to develop free forward movement at the walk, trot and/or canter, and smooth transitions...
How to saddle and bridle a horse...
Information for campers to learn about bits, bit selection, the different mouthpieces...
Learn about the different types of boots we use on horses for riding...
Discover the different types of breastplates and martingales for horses...
Other tack includes head bumpers, cruppers...
Read about how to make sure a saddle properly fits and the parts of the saddle...
Read about the variety of nosebands and bridles...
Have campers fill out the following worksheet with what tack the horse they rode wears and why that horse wears such equipment...
Campers can learn about bits on this worksheet and then label pictures of bits and match english and western bits...
Counselors will demo to the whole group how to properly tack a horse up english and western (can split into different days)...
Advanced Tacking UpTopics to be discussed among advanced campers...
Split campers into teams or pairs. Using a few of your school horses, put on...
Bring in different show/riding outfits...
Campers can make their own posters by cutting out pictures in horse catalogs and pasting all the equipment they would need to keep a horse, or all the clothing they would need to ride or compete...
Saddle fit is important for keeping riding horses happy and healthy and able to do their job. A well-fitting saddle ensures the horse has freedom of movement and comfortable equipment as it is ridden. It will also help the rider stay in a proper position so they can effectively use their aids...
Can be done individually, in pairs, or small groups. Each group will have their own horse and tack should be set aside near horses to protect any unnecessary bumps and bruises to your saddles. You can include bridling up if you wish to the contest...
Go over the parts of the saddle (english and/or western) and how each should be cleaned...
Advanced campers will:Polish stirrups and buckles with metal polish Polish riding bootsWipe off helmet Take bridle apart to clean so that you can clean under the buckle areas Clean horse's bit. Especially in the joints.
You only need one bride or saddle per team. Take apart all the pieces, undo all the latches, take off the bit, etc. Lay out the pieces and let the kids put it back together. The team that puts together their bridle or saddle first wins...
Take apart all the pieces, undo all the latches, take off the bit, etc. Lay out the pieces and let the kids put it back together, blindfolded. The team that puts together their bridle first wins.Â
Blindfold campers and have them try to identify different grooming supplies such as a curry comb, stiff brush, etc.Depending upon the level of students you can make the items more challenging such as...
You send campers one at a time into the tack room to pick out a piece of equipment that they have no idea what is or what it's for, then you let everyone take a guess. "Prize" to the one that gets the closest such as candy.Then you explain what it is...
Print out the Bingo cards for campers that have a required piece of equipment written in each Bingo card square. The instructor will read the caller's questions and the answer to each question will be on a Bingo card...
Set aside a pile of tack in good and bad condition for campers. Ask campers to sort through the tack and put the good quality in one pile and any bad quality tack in another. Print out the following worksheet explaining to campers what bad quality tack looks like (rusty, cracked leather, etc)...
A fill in the blank worksheet about bridles and their parts, fit and purpose...
Disassemble a few bridles. Have campers watch as you take one of the bridles apart. Show them each piece and explain it’s purpose. Have them find this same piece on the extra bridles on the table and work to reassemble the bridle together.
A worksheet for campers to label each part of the bridle....
A fill in the blank worksheet for campers to learn about the different types of saddles such as Australian stock saddles, dressage, western, jumping, etc
A fill in the blank worksheet about how to correctly fit a saddle to a horse's back...
Show campers all of the different types of saddles that you have on the farm and the differences between each one such as a western saddle vs english, sidesaddle, Australian, dressage, close contact, dressage...
A worksheet for campers to label the parts of the english saddle (under the flap too)
A big list of questions you can ask your campers about saddles or use in a jeopardy style game...
Show campers how to clean tack properly with this list...
A fill in the blank worksheet about the steps of cleaning tack...
Instructors will set aside the following tack cleaning items and students must match each item to the group it belongs in (such as leather cleaning, conditioning, etc)
Have campers star in their own video about horse tack! Topics can include: tack cleaning, different types of saddles, proper saddle fit...Â
Excellent conformation does not guarantee excellence in performance, but poor conformation invariably contributes tostructural weakness, unsoundness, or impaired performance.
No horse is without flaw. Some faults and flaws are merely cosmetic, while others are more serious structural defects.
A blemish is not necessarily a conformation fault or an unsoundness. A blemish is a visible imperfection generally caused by stress or injury.
Using your school horses, show campers horses with ideal conformation and point out conformation faults or blemishes...
Using three or four horses, ask campers to judge what horse they think has the most ideal conformation...
A worksheet for campers to fill out listing conformation faults and positive conformation aspects...
Have campers assist in making and starring in a video about horse conformation...
Campers will learn about how to measure a horse with this worksheet and fill-in-the-blanks...
Show campers how to measure a horse in hands using a measuring stick or tape. Measure a horse and a pony for size reference...
How to measure and write down measurements in hands...
Campers will try and guess the height of horses/ponies on the farm before measuring them for the exact height...
A worksheet with fill in the blanks for campers to learn about horse height measuring.
Campers will make a video about how to properly measure a horse's height...
Give two horse names to each student. Have them write down a guess as to how much each horse weighs (if needed, show them the horse). Let the students take guesses, but prompt them towards getting to the point that horses are much bigger than us. Even the smallest horses are way bigger than us, so we need to be safety-conscious around them at all times.Show campers how to use a weight tape to weigh the horses...
A horse may have one or several markings on its face
There are a variety of leg markings horse can have such as...
Campers will name all of the horses on the farm that are: bay, black, have a star etc...
Campers will make horse color flashcards...
For markings, we'd pull out a solid colored, unmarked horse and have them paint directly on the horse with Crayola washable white paint, starting small (star, snip, coronet, sock), and then making them bigger (blaze, white face, stocking, paint markings, etc.)
A worksheet for campers with pictures of different colored horses. Campers need to label the color and describe it with the help of the instructor...
A study guide with pictures of the different horse colors and their descriptions...
A fill in the blank worksheet with pictures of face markings for campers to name/describe and questions to answer...
A fill in the blank worksheet with pictures of leg markings that campers need to label and describe. There are leg marking questions to be answered too...
Have campers star in a video showing different horse colors and markings...
Print out these worksheets for your students to match the parts of the horse...
Using sticky notes labeled with horse parts, campers will put the sticky note on the part of a real horse where they think it is located...Â
Using washable paint, campers will be directed to paint symbols such as a heart, diamond, circle etc. on the body part you name...
Give each team sticky notes with the parts of the horse and have them place the sticky note on the horse where they think the body part is located. After the teams have put all the sticky notes on their team's horse, the judge will see which team labeled the most correct parts...
Using the following worksheet, using a school horse, point out body parts you and the horse share. Ask campers if they can point out some of the body parts too...
This is a simple and quick game where a camper will shout out body parts beginning with a particular letter. Prize, no prize, however you want it to go. We gave 1 point for each answer and had the kids keep score themselves...
A fill in the blank worksheet labeling the parts of the horse's head...
A fill in the blank worksheet for campers to learn about the parts of the horse's body.
A fill in the blank worksheet for campers to learn about the parts of the horse's leg.
A fill in the blank worksheet for the parts of a whole horse. Quiz campers and see who can remember and label the most parts of the horse!
Have campers star in a video pointing out the different parts of the horse...
A fill in the blank worksheet where students must guess the breed of horse while given pictures and clues for each one...
Walking around the farm, go over what the breed every horse is. Point out some characteristics of each breed such as Arabians having a high set tail, dish shaped face, etc and Appaloosas having spots. Explain that some breeds are better suited for specific disciplines...
Campers will create a presentation on a breed of horse to share with the other campers...
Divide campers into teams (or partners); elect a captain on each team to write the breed list. Teams will write down every breed of horse they can remember - the team with the most breeds written down win!
Campers will star in their very own video to discuss horse breeds. Use the horses on your farm to show the features of different breeds...
A several page printout explaining different horse breeds for campers to bring home
These worksheets explain horse terms and have a matching word activity and a crossword puzzle...
A fill in the blank worksheet with pictures and definitions of horse terms...
This worksheet will explain to campers how to describe a horse by its breed, color, markings, gender, age etc. They will then write their own description of the horse they are riding or their favorite horse...
Have campers star in their very own video about the different horse terms...
Bandaging is a very important skill. Bandages must be applied correctly; otherwise, they can do more harm than good...
Let's discuss a variety of illnesses and injuries that can occur, notes on how to prevent them, and common treatments.
Injections can be given in several forms, depending on the medication being injected.
Horses are prone to a variety of wounds, ranging from small scrapes to large lacerations. It is important to know how to properly care for a wound, and when timely veterinary intervention is necessary to assist in care and healing.
Keeping horses healthy requires daily attention. It is important to notice things about each individual horse, such as its eating and drinking habits, normal amounts of manure, and whether or not it lies down on a regular basis.Â
Exposure to strange horses is one of the major sources of contagious equine diseases and should be limited as much as possible.Maintaining a closed herd (no horses going in or out) greatly reduces the chances of an infectious disease entering the herd.
Preventative health care emphasizes the deterrence of infectious diseases through proactive care including vaccines andgood management practices.
Active immunity to a disease can be induced artificially through vaccinations.
Horses are constantly exposed to a barrage of parasites.
The horse’s skin is subject to many problems.
All medications should only be given under the supervision of a veterinarian.Â
Lameness is the clinical sign or signs by which a horse communicates pain in a given leg.
Using a trusty school horse, teach campers how to use stable, exercise, and shipping bandages. Campers can practice wrapping each other's legs before trying it on a horse...
Teach kids about poultice and put it the campers arms or legs for practice. Practice correct wrapping of the poulticed leg or arm...
Teach the kids how to wrap by wrapping each other's legs before trying it on a quiet school horse...
Show campers the more advanced wrapping techniques such as: spider bandage, hoof wrap, figure eight hock and knee wraps, etc using a school horse for a demo...
Print out this study guide about how to wrap stable and shipping bandages properly and tips...
Show campers what is in your barn's equine first aid kit. Describe each item and what it is used for. Let the kids pass the items around and if possible, look inside of the containers...
Discuss what-if scenarios with campers such as "What if your horse has a swollen leg - what can we do to bring the swelling down?" Answer - Call the vet and cold hose the swelling...
Make up "pretend" first aid scenarios for campers to "assist" you in such as:- how to clean a real (or pretend) wound- how to wrap a horse's hoof for an abscess- how to give a horse an IM or IV injectionAnd the list goes on...
If possible, arrange any needed vet work during camp time. Ask your vet ahead of time if they can do a discussion with campers and if the vet minds the kids watching while the vet works in the barn.
Using your school horses, have campers learn how to measure a horse's TPR...
This activity if good for older/more advanced campers where they will collect TPR data over the course of a few days to answer different questions such as: What factors affect pulse? Would it be different if you take your horse’s pulse first thing in the morning, after it finishes eating, before and after exercise?Â
Quiz campers with the following health related quiz/discussion questions...
A fill-in-the-blank worksheet with lots of pictures for campers to learn about dehydration in horses...
A fill-in-the-blank worksheet with lots of pictures for campers to learn and explore about equine dentistry and a dentist's tools...
A bingo game where player's bingo boards are answers to the Caller's dentistry based questions...
A worksheet where campers will match items in the first aid kit to their definitions and matching the pictures to the item names.
A fill-in-the-blank worksheet about the basics of equine health care...
A worksheet for campers to fill out about a horse's temperature, pulse, and heart rate...
A fill-in-the-blank worksheet about deworming and shots...
Have campers create a how-to video about horse first aid! Topics to cover can be: how to bandage a horse's leg, how to take care of a wound, how to properly deworm...
A handout for campers to learn about the signs of a normal, healthy horse and when a vet should be called...
An old saying states, “no hoof, no horse,” as a testament to how vital hooves are to a horse’s overall health. Given the stressa hoof endures on a daily basis, proper hoof health and hoof care are of utmost importance.
One of the most important aspect of horse care involves proper care of the feet. Horses living in the wild grow their hoovesnaturally and wear them down as they travel over diverse terrain. Domesticated horses do not have the ability to wear theirhooves naturally, so correct farrier care is essential to maintaining hoof health
The feet of each horse have their own characteristics...
When evaluating lameness in a horse, begin at the foot, as many problems develop in the complex structure of the hoof.
Horses are shod to increase support, improve hoof durability, correct problems and add traction.
Show campers a few different horses' hooves and point out to them what makes those hooves good or bad quality as well as any horses with problems such as thrush, navicular, etc...
Play a game of farrier bingo - print out the cards and caller's questions here...
Show campers the horse shoes that the horses in your barn wear (either the horse shoe itself or ones on a horse) - especially if you have multiple types...
Discuss good vs bad shoeing with campers; using your school horses show campers what good shoeing looks like!
If possible, schedule your farrier to come out and shoe a horse at your farm during your camp schedule. We have a worksheet for you to print out for campers about the five shoeing steps...
Discuss farrier tools with campers using this worksheet or you can show the campers the tools in person if you have any...
Campers can learn about the steps of hoof picking and the parts of the hoof with the following worksheets...
Print out this study guide for your campers with pictures and descriptions of the farrier's tools, different types of horse shoes, and the five steps of shoeing...
Discuss thrush prevention and show campers how to apply medicine in a horse's hoof as well as how to identify thrush.
Show the campers the different types of horse shoes that horses can wear...
Explain to campers why the horse they are riding in camp has shoes on (if so, what type of shoe and why) or if their horse can go barefoot and why...
A fun fill-in-the-blanks worksheet about farriers, trimming, shoeing, etc for your campers and answer sheet
Fill-in-the-blank worksheet with four different diagrams of inside and outside the hoof...
Assist campers in making a video about hoof care such as how to pick hooves, how to treat a thrush or an abscess, what a good quality hoof looks like...
Horses do not require an elaborate facility. The most important quality of a facility is safety. Give campers a tour of your facility, explaining why it is arranged the way it is...
The day-to-day operation of a barn depends on an efficient and organized working staff that carries out a plan designed togive priority to the horse’s welfare (e.g., exercise, feeding, grooming and detailed routine) for which it totally relies on humans. Have campers assist with barn chores...
Everything you ever needed to know about manure management...
Have campers make horse stall signs out of wood or paper to hang up at home or around the farm...
Have the campers assist in painting jumps and poles at the farm...
Campers will draw and design their dream farm...
Print out and pass along these stable management worksheets to your campers...
Print out these coloring pages for campers that are also stable management themed!
Have campers assist and star in a video about stable management! Topics can include a tour of your facility, daily stable routine, manure management, etc
Unless they are sick or injured, horses derive great benefit from daily turnout.
Take campers on a tour of your pastures and see if they can spot any safety issues such as broken fencing, holes, etc. Discuss pasture safety.
Discuss and show campers the different types of fencing needed to properly house horses...
Discuss and show campers how to take care of horses out on pasture vs. stalled...
A pasture or turn-out area is an important part of a horse’s life. Pastures can be small or large and may contain grass or be adry lot.
Hide items in the paddock and have the kids search and pick up the things that don’t belong and would be a danger to the horses such as halters on the ground, trash, blankets, etc
Print out pictures of local poisonous plants to horses and see if the campers can identify any on the stable grounds...
With the help of an instructor's phone, campers can make a how-to type video about pasture management...
When discussing the body structure of the horse, we use anatomical terms to locate where on the body the part is found.Typical anatomical terms include...
The musculoskeletal system, which gives the body its structure and movement, is comprised of bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and connective tissues. The musculoskeletal system is also responsible for support and protection of vitalinternal organs
Joints occur every place that two or more bones meet...
The circulatory system is responsible for effective transmission of oxygen and/or nutrients to all organs and tissueswithin the body.
The respiratory system works in conjunction with the circulatory system to provide oxygen to and remove carbon dioxidefrom the body tissues. The respiratory system is divided into two parts: the upper and lower tracts.
The digestive system is a collective network of organs designed to supply the body with nutrition needed for growth, maintenanceand repair.
The integumentary system is made up of the skin and hair of the horse and provides structural, photo-protective, immunologic and metabolic barrier protection.
The nervous system is the command and control center for the horse’s body. It is a complex interaction between elementsdesigned to originate or carry electrochemical charges to and from organs to initiate and regulate bodily functions, and toallow the horse to functionally relate to its environment.
The endocrine system is a complex network of glands responsible for production and secretion of special proteins and lipidscalled hormones.
The immune system is a network of cells, organs, and special chemicals that work together to protect against infectious invaders and eliminate foreign matter or cells.
Teach campers about the evolution of the horse to today's genus Equus...
How horses shaped civilizations...
With the domestication of the horse, people were able to travel further distances and carry more supplies...