Attending a summer camp for girls can transform summer days into equestrian adventures. At camp, they will learn riding basics, safety habits, and horse care. If you know you child might ride horses at camp, it is a good idea to help them prepare ahead of time. Here is how to prepare for horseback riding at camp:
Pack Riding Gear and Clothing
Having he proper riding gear may help increase your child’s comfort while dealing and riding with horses. While summer camps will likely provide riding helmets, there are other items your child can bring. Here are some of the clothes to take to camp:
- Riding boots with half-inch heels prevent feet from slipping through stirrups.
- Riding pants, like jeans, shield legs from saddle rubs and are good for stable chores.
- Gloves can enhance grip on reins and prevent blisters.
Understand Safety Protocols
Before camp begins, it is a good idea to talk to your child about basic safety around horses. They can learn about moving calmly and never directly behind a horse as well as speaking to alert the horse to their presence on the blind side. It’s also good to maintain safe distances and avoid sudden movements. When at camp, they should pay attention to trainers’ cues to halt or redirect approaching horses. These habits establish safe dynamics and build communication with your horse.
Build Strength
Strengthening muscles before and during camp could build fitness for riding. You child can do daily exercises to create riding endurance and minimize saddle soreness. Mounting and dismounting require flexibility, which accommodates horse movements. Mounting and dismounting skills from stationary blocks before camp will ease transitions onto moving horses. They can develop balance by standing with knees bent at galloping positions and practice the swing-through motion needed to jump down safely from stirrups.
Find Horse Care Opportunities
Most summer camps with horses will have children participate at their skill level. If your child wants to be at a level where they can care for horses, you could try finding local stables or equestrian parks. Stable owners might let your child practice horse-care skills for camp. Topics may include horse behavior, hoof cleaning, coat brushing, and mane entanglement removal. Other skills you child may learn are observing horses’ feeding routines, bedding assessments, stall cleaning, and waste removal. They might even learn to identify signs of illness faster than healthy horses.
Cultivate Confidence
Your child might feel nervous if they have never ridden a horse before. In some cases, learning details about horse riding could help build their confidence and prepare them for the experience. They can review the terminology equestrians employ and become familiar with different horse breeds, tack parts, and equestrian movements. Having this understanding can let your child feel more prepared to follow camp leader instructions during rides.
Learn About Outdoor Trails
At summer camp for girls, riders will likely have the opportunity to have outdoor experiences with the horses they ride. You can take your child on nature walks or look at pictures of outdoor trails to learn more about them. Naturual trails may teach your child to try and anticipate unexpected changes in their surroundings while riding. Trails may include unpredictable footings, weather changes, or wildlife encounters that require adjusting. Your child mightl expand awareness while mastering natural challenges due to learning about these evaluations and adaptations.
Join Summer Camp for Girls
Young camp goers may experience equestrian activities such as horse shows, trail rides, and stable management training while at summer camp. Your child will likely find oppunities to expand their skill set no matter if they are a beginner or a proficient rider. Preparing your child beforehand may help them feel more at ease before leaving for camp. Contact a girl’s summer camp to find out more about their equestiran activities today.