It’s that time of year again! Pony camps are popping up across the country offering a whole host of equestrian related activities for kids to enjoy. We sing the praises of pony camps until the horses come home; their action-packed schedules and incredible opportunities all focus on encouraging people to ride, proper horse care, and of course, having fun!
Pony camps are a great way to bond with ponies and friends, whether you adopt one for the week or you BYOP (Bring Your Own Pony) we’re sure that by the end, you’ll have already decided to come back next year.
Take a look at some of the experiences you can get from going to pony camp and you’ll see just how worth it every single second can be.
A variety of activity
Each camp offers its own individual schedule and activities but the opportunities across the board when getting involved are fantastic experiences to gain as a rider. Here are a few examples we’ve found of what the kids could do:
- Show jumping
- Lunging
- Mounted games
- Pony care
- Stable maintenance
The list goes on and includes other aspects such as pony healthcare, so the children can get a well-rounded experience when it comes to looking after a horse. Be sure to check a variety of pony camps to see which activities they want to get involved with!
The Camaraderie
Along with all the horse related pursuits, there are other ventures that kids can take part in too. Many camps offer socialising events such as discos and movie nights, along with campfire sing-a-longs and games, so children can enjoy building friendships within the equestrian community.
All those extras
Each individual camp offers its own variation of what they can offer you. Not only does this allow the kids to learn new riding and horse-handling skills but offers them the chance to enjoy other fun activities such as swimming, treasure hunts and maybe the odd water fight with their friends.
So now that you’ve decided to go to pony camp, it’s time to figure out what you need to take. At Ride-away, we have your very own recommended checklist of all the things we believe you’ll need for your time away.
For the pony:
- Their rider!
- Pony’s Passport
- Tack
- Full grooming kit
- Spare girth and numnah
- Head collar and lead rope
- Fly repellent
- Horse shampoo, conditioner & show shine
- Large storage box
- Two buckets
- Two haynets
- Feed bowl
- Hay bales
- Feeds (enough for two per day)
- Skip and rubber gloves
- Sweeping brush, wheelbarrow, and shovel
For the rider:
- Their pony!
- Hats (checked and tagged)
- Hair nets
- Boots
- Jodhpurs
- Jodhpur clips
- Gloves
- Chaps / Gaiters
- Body protector
- Riding clothes
- Long sleeved shirts, tie and show jacket
- Wellies
- Casual clothing
- Sleepover and night clothing
- Camp bed and bedding
Now we want to know your thoughts! Is there anything that we’ve forgotten to include that you think you should definitely take to pony camp? We would love to know so make sure you comment below.
If you’ve noticed that you’re missing something from our list or are looking to update your children’s pony camp gear, we have everything you could possibly need. From body protectors to chaps and riding boots; make sure you have everything you need for a fun-filled day at pony camp.
