1-Day Horsemanship Clinics

Clinic Links:

• 2012 Clinic Schedule
• Introduction to Horses (ages 5 through Adult)
• Mommy N Me (Ages 2 1/2 through 4) (YES, Daddies welcome too!)
• Girl Scout Clinics

See here for our Clinic Registration form, and here for Barn Rules and Waiver forms

We also periodically host Guest Clinicians to come in to cover a special topics.

The Clinic Philosophy

At Sun Pony Ranch we are dedicated to teaching both Children and Adults the joy of being with horses as well as how to be safe around them.  We have regular Riding Lessons and Horse Camps to teach the skills needed to learn to ride.  However, our various 1-Day Clinics are meant to be a “starter” class, to give those without much experience with horses an understanding and feel for what it is all about.  These Clinics are separated into different age groups to maximize the experience for the attention span and interest level of each group.  Participants get a real “Hands-On” experience to see if this is something they enjoy.

These are pictures of one of our Clinics for 5 to 7 year olds. At the beginning of each Clinic, there is a “Lecture” session where basic safety is discussed and why horses behave the way they do.  We talk about horse personalities, horse care & feeding, and Riding Tack.
	Each portion of the clinic is geared to the attention span  and understanding level of that particular age group.  Questions are allowed and answered.  Here, the students are divided into small groups where they work with a counselor/Staff Member and their assigned horse to learn and practice grooming.  They also watch and learn while their horse is being saddled and bridled, to get ready to ride. All of our lecture and grooming time is conducted inside our spatious barn, so we are comfortable out of the heat, or possibly wet! When possible, the riding portion of the clinic takes place in our outdoor arena, but if necessary we can ride inside too.
In the Children’s Clinics, the kids each take turns riding their horse in their group.  In the Adult Clinics, there is a full 1 Hour Riding Lesson with each participant riding their own horse for a Group Lesson.  These photos show the 5 to 7 age group riding, getting to trot, watching, and waiting their turns.

Introduction to Horses Clinics

These “Introduction” classes are perfect for the student who is curious about horses but not certain they want to commit to a 6 week session of lessons.

The clinics are customized for three different aged students: 5-7 year olds, 8-12 year olds, and 15 through Adult. The content of the clinics all cover basic Safety Issues around horses, horse personalities, horse care, and riding. More time is allotted for the older groups.

5-7 year old sessions: 1 1/2 hour long, $32
This 1 ½ hour “Introduction” class is geared to the attention span of the younger children.  There will be simple discussion on basic Safety Issues around horses, horse personalities, horse care, and Riding Tack.  Most of the class time will be “Hands-On” with the kids learning to brush and groom the gentle horses.  The last 45 minutes of the class will be spent riding, with each child getting a turn to ride a horse and see what it feels like.

8-12 year old sessions: 2 hours long, $43
This 2 hour “Introduction” class is geared to the 8 to 12 year old child.  There will be simple discussions on basic Safety Issues around horses, horse personalities, horse care, and Riding Tack.  Most of the class time will be “Hands-On” with the kids learning to brush, groom, and “tack up” our gentle horses.  The last 50 to 60 minutes of the class will be spent riding, with the kids taking turns riding a horse and learning a little bit about how to communicate to the horse what they would like to ask the horse to do (use of the “4 Aids.”)

15-Adult sessions: 2 1/2 hours long, $54
This 2 1/2 hour “Introduction” class is geared to the older teen and adult.  We often hear from adults that they wished we offered our “Camp” for adults.  This class was put together with that in mind so we could incorporate a feel for the fun and learning that goes on at Horse Camp, but tailored to the adult.  There will be discussion on basic Safety Issues around horses, horse & rider partnership, horse personalities, horse care, Riding Tack and the differences between English & Western style riding.  Most of the class time will be “Hands-On” with everyone learning to brush, groom, and “tack up” our gentle horses.  Each participant will have 60 minutes of riding time in a Group Lesson.  They will learn about how to communicate with the horse to foster that horse/rider partnership (use of the “4 Aids”).

See here for our Clinic Registration form, and here for Barn Rules and Waiver forms

"Mommy and Me" clinics - for children 2 ½ - 4 years.

Cost: $40 for each parent / child pair.

This is a 1 ½ hour “Introduction” class that allows the children that are too young to participate on their own the opportunity to learn about horses with a parent (Mom, Dad, or Grandparent). The Safety Discussion part of the Clinic is the first thing we do and is directed to the adult participant.  This discussion will be basic information on how to keep the children safe around horses in general, and during the Clinic in particular. 

Important Safety Rules:

• No younger siblings under 2 ½ years old in with the Clinic (No strollers or wearing babies in carrier)
• Parent must remain with child (and be very hands on) at all times

Supplies Needed: wear closed shoes and long pants.  Riding Helmets are provided.

See here for our Clinic Registration form, and here for Barn Rules and Waiver forms

The 2012 Clinic Session Schedule is:

Rules and Waiver

The following files are available at the barn, but they are here for your convenience. All students under 18 must have a Liability Waiver signed by a parent or guardian. If your child will not have a parent or guardian bringing them to their first day of lessons, please print and sign the waiver below and have your child bring it with them.

Liability Waiver v Barn Rules

Guest Clinicians

Sun Pony Ranch periodically hosts Guest Clinicians to come in to cover a special topics:

Teri Sprague - 4 Star Parelli Instructor
http://terisprague.com/

Sprin 2012:

Savvy Program Progress Online and Riding; Level 2-3
Alternating Wednesdays: March 7, 21, April 4, 18, May 2 -- 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Advancing Liberty to Large Areas: Level 2-4
Wenesdays: March 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25

Call for more information: 970-532-4040