Monday, DAY ONE: MEET & GREET DAY
Show up at nine o'clock; parents can stay as long as they choose. Trainers and Instructors will first introduce themselves and the horses, be on hand to answer all questions from students and parents. Brief tour of the stable to familiarize everyone, and quick rundown of all rules. Kids will learn where the tack is kept, and where to keep their personal items during the day.
You will learn: Who everyone is and where everything is. General barn rules will be established. Everyone will be familiarized with the horses, and will learn how to act around such large animals. We will point out the basics of horse care ['This is the saddle, etc'] and how to groom.
Presentation: Lauren's "Parts of the Horse"
Project: Keepsake Collage Folders [required: one plain folder, preferably carboard or paper. we will provide glue, scissors, markers, and pictures to cut out.]

Tuesday, DAY TWO: ROUNDPEN DAY
Again, show up bright-eyed and bushy tailed at nine o'clock. Though parents can stay if they choose, we will be focusing on teaching the kids the basics of leading and lunging, and how to get a horse to listen to you while you're on the ground. We will review grooming and rules from Monday.
You will learn: How to work with horses while you're on the ground. Safety will be a major factor in this lesson; learn where to pet a horse and how to approach one. Roundpen basics will also be stressed: how to keep the horse focused on you and responding to your commands.
Presentation: Lauren's "Horse Psychology"
Project: Decorate Your Stuff [nothing required. we will provide markers and stickers. be aware, we will be decorating our brushes without messing them up or making them unusable!]

Wednesday, DAY THREE: SADDLE UP DAY
The big day! Everyone shows up at nine o'clock, ready to go. We'll start early, so that it stays cooler, in the small roundpen. Two kids at a time will be instructed on how to mount up and hold the reins, then will begin with walking circles. Depending on the rider's individual progress, we may even start to trot for short steps at a time.
You will learn: The basics of mounting up, sitting correctly in the saddle, holding the reins, and riding with an instructor beside you. Learn how to stop and turn the horse, and how to keep going in a straight line or on a curve.
Presentation: Lauren's "Breeds of Horses"
Project: Draw Your Dream Horse. [nothing required. we will provide drawing supplies.]

Thursday, DAY FOUR: GiDDY UP DAY
More fun on horseback. At nine o'clock we'll all meet and tack up; two riders will go in the big arena with the instructors and the others will stay back for a presentation. We'll switch, so everyone again gets a turn. Riding will be a bit more advanced, but instruction will still be provided one-on-one.
You will learn: How to keep a horse in a certain area when not not in a small pen; more balance will be achieved as riders are led by an instructor and are asked to perform simple tasks. We will do easy games that can improve balance and confidence on the horse. The more confident riders may do a little trotting. Walk over poles.
Presentation: Lauren's "Parts of the Saddle and Bridle"
Project: Soapy Ponies. [required: clothes that can get wet! we will provide shampoo.]

Friday, DAY FiVE: FINAL FUN DAY
Show up at nine o'clock. Groom horses and saddle up, ride for a little while. Parents are invited to stay and watch the riding. Then we'll untack and put the horses up and paint Camp Tshirts out by the arena. Afterwards the kids can stay for extra time; sprinklers will be set up, hot dogs too.
Presentation: Lauren's "Disciplines"
Project: Camp T-Shirts. [required: plain white or blue tshirt. we will provide fabric paints.]