Riders take a lesson on "the big horses". Capable supervision is essential, provided here by counselors and assistants.

Kathy Lundberg | Contributor

Summer camps are a great way for kids to gain exposure to an activity they would like to explore. A week of daily horseback riding is not enough to become a solid rider, but a positive experience will give a child a good start. For those who already have some experience, more hours in the saddle definitely improve skills.

Growing up far away and long ago, I did not have access to riding lessons. I seldom even saw a horse up close, so I looked forward all year to my weeks of riding at Girl Scout Camp. In my wildest dreams I would not have imagined one day I would own a stable and operate a summer horsemanship camp.

Most kids enrolled in our summer camp are truly interested in horses and enthusiastically want to learn to ride. Some are seriously horse-crazy and are delighted to find kindred spirits who want to incessantly discuss horses and do horse activities.

“I am the only one I know at my school who wants to talk about horses all day, and now I know I am not alone” exclaimed one 8 year old upon coming to camp.

Overall, the children are truly wonderful. A few kids come because parents believes horseback riding is a skill a child should possess. Perhaps the parent rode as a child, or wanted to, and is more enthusiastic about riding than the child.

Rarely we have had a child who attends camp after camp year after year and has become somewhat jaded. Amazingly, some kids leave a full day of horse riding camp to go to swim, soccer, gymnastics, and/or ice skating lessons.

Many of the children who come to camp have had limited to no experience being at a farm. Some live in pet-free homes and are delighted by the seven barn cats. Some kids are mesmerized by the chickens who free range around the farm or the bunnies who hop about on leashes.

The two saintly farm dogs patiently submit to petting from many directions at once, simultaneously being commanded by little voices to “sit” “stay” “fetch” and “come.” Oh, and by the way, there are horses all around as well.

The kids are fascinated that some of the horses are related to each other. The fact that one of the petite Shetlands is actually a mom, and that a yearling is actually one of the bigger horses amazes the kids. They like to hear about the various friendships and rivalries among the horses, and along the way they pick up insight into horse behavior.

Kids later in same lesson, riding backwards in saddle. This exercise is a fun way to work on balance and ease in the saddle.

Kathy Lundberg | Contributor

Camp during the first weeks after school lets out tends to be very high energy. The first year we hosted camp at this time we said “never again!” because the kids were like springs that had been sprung in every direction.

The energy was great, but around horses one needs a certain decorum and to keep the decibel level under control in the name of safety. Ten screaming, excited girls can be challenging. Maybe we have learned something about channeling that energy over the years, but I quite like the first weeks of camp now. There is a certain freshness about a new summer.

The middle weeks of camp generally proceed smoothly. The kids, horses and ponies are all accustomed once again to the rhythm of the days, and the workers know their jobs well and how to trouble-shoot. The art project kinks have been largely worked out. Often there is a good thunderstorm to inject thrill.

By the last weeks of camp, we start to feel the summer slipping into the past. The camp counselors as well as the kids have each learned something about themselves, about horses, and working in a group. There is generally a familiar, relaxed atmosphere as everyone savors the last weeks before school resumes.

Summer camp is a lot of fun, but is also a lot of work to host. In our little program, preparations for the next year start as soon as the summer ends. Lining up great staff is paramount. Being sure there are enough horses who are willing and able to participate. Updating forms, websites, investigating new educational materials and art projects. Strange that all that work fit into a few short sentences…

Summer horsemanship camps are an excellent way to introduce an interested child to riding. Exposure to horses and more generally to rural lifestyles and concerns is a good thing as we grow in understanding of the people and animals with whom we share our world.

Kathy Lundberg is a regular pets contributor for AnnArbor.com, and owner of Scio Church Stables. Email her at scs@sciochurchstables.com.