EQUESTRIAN: HORSEBACK RIDING & HORSE MASTERS
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EQUESTRIAN: HORSEBACK RIDING & HORSE MASTERS
Section 1 : Award List
Proficiency for this program requires all four of the awards listed below:
1. Horse fun and safety
2. Level 1 CHA
3. Cool cowgirl/boy
4. Level 2 CHA
5. Smooth rider
6. Level 3 CHA
7. Enthusiastic equestrian
8. Level 4 CHA
Section 2 : General Rules & Safety
Listed on boards on the tack horse wall are the general rules we run through on Mondays with each
group of campers. Each rule is taken one by one and explained fully. Try to make the rules
interesting so the campers want to pay attention. For example when explaining why we need to
keep 3 horses distance between each horse, get the counselors to pretend to be horses and show
what happens if horses that don’t like each other get too close!
Explain that the rules are for their safety as horses can be unpredictable. Get the campers involved
in learning the rules rather than just listing them off and make if fun, that way they will remember
them. Add more rules throughout the week where applicable i.e. waiting for a counselor to check
and help them mount. That way the campers won’t be bombarded with rules that they’ll forget when
all they want to do is pat a pony!
1. General Camp Emergency Procedures (search siren) must apply. Minimum ratio of
1:8 will be provided on a trail ride and a minimum of two staff. Any age can
participate in staff lead arena rides. Participants
must be 9 years of age to do a trail ride.
2. LAND SEARCH: Equestrian Director or Program
head sends available staff to be runners
covering tubing hill, paddocks, high barn and
surrounding area who immediately report back to
equestrian person with walkie talkie. If search proceeds,
bugles will sound continuously signaling all riders to
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.orgdismount and either leave with two staff members for benches or assemble at tack house for role call (as prior arranged with AD staff during staff training). One staff member stays to organize horses, whilst two staff members prepare for a trail ride search which will be advised lastly by the person coordinating search at benches. 3. WATER SEARCH:: Search sirens sound signaling riders to dismount and either leave with two staff members for benches or assemble at tack house for role call (as prior arranged with AD staff during staff training). The remaining staff stay to organize the horses. Stay off the walkie until advised that search is over. 4. SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURE: Stop all riding activities at the first sign of thunder or lightening. Stay calm and have all riders dismount and pack up. Go to a covered area, e.g. high barn or tack house and wait. Walkie for weather update or further instructions from AD staff. If weather is severe and sudden, have all riders dismount IMMEDIATELY, leave their horses where they are and go with three staff members for cover, or if needed to the closest safety shelter. If at the arena, go to Hill bathrooms. If at the high barn, go to Klinger bathrooms. Other remaining staff walkie in a.s.a.p. for report and action accordingly. If safe, quickly untack horses and leave in arena area or closest paddock to where they are, before joining other staff and campers.. If no time to untack, leave horses and go immediately to closest safety shelter. 5. FALL IN THE ARENA: Call for another counselor to assist you and instruct all other riders to halt immediately. Go straight to the fallen camper and move horse away from them, if it hasn’t already moved. Assess fall situation/injury. Depending on severity of fall, ask all campers to dismount and hold onto their horses whilst calling health officer over walkie to explain injury. Treat injured accordingly and ask all available counselors to assist other campers/horses. Stay calm so as not to cause panic, especially in front of campers who may be upset or alarmed by situation. Always complete and accident report before the end of the day. 6. FALL ON TRAIL: Halt entire ride whilst closest counselor dismounts and goes to fallen camper to assess situation. If necessary second staff member dismounts and asks closest camper to dismount also and hold horses (however remember that the campers safety comes first, if necessary let horses stand alone if they go anywhere normally they will head for home – hopefully!). If necessary call health officer on walkie. If the injured camper can’t be moved one counselor escorts riders back to ranch, where other equestrian staff can take charge of campers and horses, before returning to the other counselor and injured camper. It may be necessary though to wait to escort the health officer to the correct spot. All falls vary, use your common sense and never panic. NEVER CHASE A HORSE IF IT RUNS AWAY, NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN IT WILL GO BACK TO THE RANCH. CAMPER WELFARE IS FIRST PRIORITY. Discuss fall with campers present to help them understand it was an accident and a situation that reinforces why we wear helmets and have strict rules. Try to reassure them so they don’t get scared and YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093 (P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org
also to minimize gossip. Debrief falls with staff and decide if any future action could help to
minimize possible reoccurrences.
7. RANCH/TRAIL RULES: These are posted on the side of the tack house. Explain why these rules
are so important to follow. These are very basic rules and as the week progresses it will be
necessary to add further rules applicable to various activities, e.g. waiting for a counselor to
check your horse/tack before mounting. There are so many common sense rules which may not
be obvious to new riders, therefore it seems easier to add them as they learn rather than
bombarding them with too much information which may be seen as irrelevant and boring, when
all they want to do is pat a pony! Make rule learning fun, get the campers involved or do mini
skits showing what could happen if you were a horse that got to close to another who started a
fight!
8. SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT! This program requires you to care for not only the campers and your
staff, but also a lot of horses. It can be very easy for accidents to occur, even with the best
staff and most well behaved campers and horses. Always try to assess situations to minimize
risks, this might make lessons a little slower and less exciting however no lesson is fun with
broken campers and horses! Happy campers are those who have done something new or
improved and reached realistic goals whilst having loads of fun. You will never turn Gertrude
into an olympic level show jumper during her first week of horse masters, however you can
teach her to get her own horse ready to ride and post around the arena whilst singing the
purple soup song – a marvelous achievement!
9. MAKE IT FUN! Campers seem to learn more and progress quicker whilst having fun. Often the
more nervous or less determined riders who aren’t willing to persevere when their horse just
won’t go or turn or stop, suddenly can do all three and smile if you turn riding into a game.
Whilst going round and round the ring, often their primary concern is that if their horse moves
they may fall off. However whilst playing ‘Simon says’ or ‘Red light, Green light’ or ‘What time is
it Mr. Fox?’ their concentration shifts to winning the game, meaning they start to ride without
even thinking about it!
Section 3: Award Requirements
Horse Fun and Safety Award
Objective
• The Camper will be able to show knowledge of rules and have completed basic riding tasks in the arena
and trails, but didn't complete level 1 CHA.
Prerequisites
• None
Safety Rules
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org• Always ask permission to enter ranch
• Always wear a helmet
• Never walk behind a horse
• Wear sunscreen
• Drink water
Knowledge Required
• Theory of how to stop, start and turn horse
Skills Required
• Mounting and dismounting
• Holding reins correctly
Level 1 CHA Award
Objective
• The Camper will be able to complete riding and theoretical aspects of Level 1 CHA.
Prerequisites
• None
Safety Rules
• Name any 5 rules at ranch, example are:
• You must have permission to enter
• You must wear a helmet
• You must have boots with a heel
• You must keep a three horse length distance whilst on the ground and in the saddle
• Do not fee the horses
• No running or screaming
• Always listen to instructors
• Wear sunscreen
• Drink water
• When walking behind a horse walk so closely they can not kick you or far enough away that a leg could
not reach you
• Always tie your horse using a safety release knot
• Always tie your horse to twine, not a rail post!
Knowledge Required
• Check equipment before riding - cinch tight enough, bridle done up correctly with reins in position.
Skills Required
• Approach and lead a horse correctly and safely.
• Mount with control without disturbing the horse.
• Dismount safely with control and prepare your horse to lead.
• Ride at a walk, with good level 1 position and control.
• Ride at a trout around the rail with good level 1 position and control.
• Halt from the walk and the trot on command, with control and without hurting the horse (some harder
mouthed horses may not halt easily from trot with this level rider, may be kinder to horse to allow a
few steps of walk before the halt).
• Ride good turns and reverse at the walk and trot with good level 1 control.
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org*All the above tasks could be examined during a game of Simon says!
Cool Cowgirl/boy Award
Objective
• The Camper must have improved from level 1 CHA, however may not have completed all level 2 tasks.
Prerequisites
• Level 1 CHA
Safety Rules
• Campers should have knowledge of the general safety rules (see previous list) and abide by them.
Knowledge Required
• Knowledge gained from CHA level 1 should be retained.
• Campers should be working toward level 2.
Skills Required
• The Cool Cowgirl/boy award is a transitional award from CHA level 1 to CHA level 2, refer to CHA level
2 award card as a guide line.
Level 2 CHA/Smooth Rider/Level 3 CHA/Enthusiastic Equestrian/Level 4 CHA
• The guidelines for each CHA level can be found on the enclosed CHA award cards, feel free to refer to
the manual for additional ideas.
• The Cool Cowkid, Smooth Rider and Enthusiastic Equestrian awards are transitional awards for those
children who may not have master all skills required for the next CHA level. Refer to the cards again
for requirements but consider these awards more as participation awards for determination or as half
level awards.
Section 4: Theory Sheets
There are various theory sheets. Clean originals for copying and distribution are in this handbook.
Section 5: Day-by-day schedule
Sunday:
• Greet parents and campers at check in
• Be sensitive to any concerns or questions they may have
• Respect any requests from the parent or camper (ie no jumping, etc.)
• Discuss previous equestrian experience with camper and parents
• Use the info as a guideline when arranging classes, keep in mind things like age group, special needs etc.
Monday:
Horse Riders
• Horse Riders do not ride on Monday, the rules are covered with an explanation as to how they apply to
safety
• Name games
• General horse care, grooming, tacking up, ranch tour
Horse Masters
• Review of grooming, tacking up, safety release knot
• Evaluation of riding skill and confidence
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org• Have the horse masters set realistic goals as to what they would like to accomplish by the end of the week.
(Galloping when they can barely sit a trot is not a realistic goal) Try to diplomatically help them set goals by
suggesting what they need to improve and explaining to them what skills they will be able to advance to
once they have mastered a particular skill.
• Mondays will set the stage for what the horse masters do in that week. Sometimes one will find that the
skill levels of the horse masters are more consistent of those of the horse riders, in which case feel free to
follow the horse rider curriculum.
*Day camp has pony rides first thing Monday morning in the pony ride ring behind Klinger Hall. Be sure to
prepare a pony and assign a staff member to cover this. Bring adequate helmet sizes and be aware that for
some of the younger day campers it may be the very first time they’ve had contact with a horse
Tuesday:
Horse Riders
• Begin their lesson with a quick recap of safety as well as a lesson on mounting safely
• Begin with the basics or position and aids, use games as a way to help them participate. Remember you will
not turn them into Olympic riders, you want them to leave having learned something yes but also having
had fun and feeling more comfortable around horses
• Horse riders each ride for ½ an hour and so are split into two groups. The group which is not riding does
ground activities such as quick release knot races, leg ups onto woody, points of tack, vaulting, driving etc.
Horse Masters
• Continue working on what was started Monday. Plan exercises such as seat drill exercises/games etc. (use
the mini library at the ranch for lesson ideas)
• Get the riders to think about what they want to accomplish in the week
• Use trotting poles as an intro into jumping, equitation, anything! Explain that a good foundation on the
flat is the key to any equestrian sport, whether it is barrel racing or jumping
Wednesday:
Horse Riders
• A review of Tuesday except bareback! Riding bareback gets the students more comfortable with their
horses. Have them do stretching exercises, around the world sunbathing, etc.
• Allow trotting only for those who feel comfortable, have an arena assistant trot along beside the student’s
horse if it is necessary.
• Non ride activities could include Points of the horse, colors, barn tour, horse adaptation(ie where chestnuts
came from), a continuation of vaulting, driving etc. Often times the students themselves can be a great
source of ground lesson ideas
Horse Masters
• Begin to consider what they would like to do for the show, try to compromise, ie if they want jumping but
are not ready for it consider a small cavalletti or rest a pole half on the ground, half on the leg stand on the
jump so it is only a few inches off the ground.
• Often times the first few days of the week are spent learning to groom and tack up the horses. The horse
masters are sometimes slow at it therefore there is not always time to do a ground lesson with them. If one
aims to do an hour to hour and a half lesson with them, the other hour and a half will be how long it takes
to tack and untack their horse, groom, rinse off and turn out. It is possible to give them quick mini lessons
about color, conformation, instinct and adaptation whilst they are tending to their horses. Use their
questions, comments and anything they find challenging as a teaching opportunity.
Thursday:
Horse Riders
• Focus on what they’ve done really well at all week, followed by some exercises to improve anything they are
having difficulties with
• Do trotting games, try and get them to rely on themselves and ride well without thinking about it
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org• Thursdays are excellent days to practice cantering for any students who are ready as the horse masters
won’t be taking up half the arena!
• Get them excited for the trail ride on Friday
• Encourage them lots and tell them how excited you were to have them in your class. Your enthusiasm will
be contagious and they will appreciate it
• Non ride activities could include bathing, equine massage, teaching about equine compassion (ie why we
don’t ride on hot days, etc.), clipping, bandaging, first aid, if vaulting try and get them to move from the
practice barrel to the horse
• Review Trail ride rules for the following day
Horse Masters
• It’s Trail Ride day!
• Review trail rules, try and have them tack up as quickly as possible you could even do a tacking up race.
• Go for a nice relaxing ride, trotting is permitted but cantering is strictly prohibited. Vary trails from through
the woods, to the field, by waterfront, etc. Have them sing songs to distract them from the fact that they
are not allowed to canter or jump on the trail. Get them to practice their two-point or forward position
going up hill.
• If they are dead set on canter arrange to arrive back at the barn a few minutes earlier and allow a quick
circle around their half of the arena. Watch out for the horse riders!
Friday:
Horse Riders
• The trail ride is finally here! Do a quick safety review
• Remember absolutely no cantering on the trail! Watch for spacing and make sure everyone is comfortable
• If one child does not want to trot you may not trot! Safety first!
• Sing songs and have a blast! Remember this is the end of their week, end it on a fantastic note so they will
be talking about the trail ride until next year!
• Let the campers choose their non-ride activity
• Take lost and found to Klinger
Horse Masters
• The show is tomorrow! Everyone should be relaxed from Thursday’s ride and ready to plan their day.
• Have them consider what they would like to show off for their parents, balance that with what they do well
and try to balance that with a routine/course which will build their confidence but keep them safe
• Work on any skills they want to hone in order to receive their awards
• End the lesson with a game of silliness(ie red light green light while singing “I’m a little teapot”, get them
laughing!
Saturday:
• The Horse Masters show should be planned and the arena readied
• Set out music in order of go be sure to queue it to the right spot!
• Greet parents, brag about how well their children did, discuss their child’s talents, be attentive yet ensure
that there is adequate supervision for the show.
• If students wish to do a victory ride (ie a lap around the arena, make sure it is at a gait they are capable of
handling) other options are a group game or one could skip this and go straight to a simple award
presentation
• Do a herd check of horses that may not be used as frequently, report any problems to Lauren
• Sweep the tack house and tidy it
• Throw away all trash and make sure the bags are set out in time for trash run
• Make sure all brushes and tack are put away after the horse masters leave
• Have a brief staff meeting to discuss ideas, problems and concerns, let all the staff know they’re doing a
great job!
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.orgSection 6: Teaching Tips
• BE SAFE
• Use the CHA manual as well as the other reference manuals at the ranch
• Plan your lessons, each staff should know what they are teaching before Monday, plan a
rough lesson guide, leave room for adjustments!
• Make sure Instructors are teaching what they are best suited for
• Help campers set small, achievable, realistic goals. They will leave feeling successful and
happy
• Do not push horses, students or your staff or yourself beyond capabilities
• Remember that horses and ponies have individual personalities-often it is better to
match camper to pony by character rather than capability(within reason obviously)
• Remember that by period 4 in the heat, t5he nicest of ponies may become cranky and
grouchy-make sure you rest them, forcing the horses to do something will leave you
with someone crying!
• Split the horse riders in half. Three riding three doing ground lesson. It is easier to
teach them safely. However it is imperative that horses are tacked up before the
campers arrive to ensure students get the maximum possible riding time
• Try to turn any negative situations into positives, if it’s too hot to have the horses
move much, do activities which involve standing still in the shady part of the arena such
as around the world, stretching, get to know your horse, sunbathing, etc.
• Ask other staff (nicely) to help you with “challenging” lessons-leading ponies, moral
support, student problems, etc. Don’t be afraid to take a time out
• Have some staff miss chapel/leave rest hour @1:30 to get horses ready
• In Horse Riders lessons try and have at least one good lead pony which the others will
follow
• If possible occasionally switch horse riders ponies to a horse masters class to give them
a break from beginner riders, it is an opportunity for the overworked ponies to have
some fun!
• Use the other staff for help, ideas, support, you are a team like it or not, think about
the students first at ALL TIMES
• Do not do anything to jeopardize a student’s safety, riding time, confidence, self-
esteem, a pony’s safety or well being , or a fellow staff members safety, well being,
confidence or self esteem
Section 7: Bad weather alternatives
Bad weather be it rain, heat or severe weather not riding can still be a fun learning experience. Use
these ideas:
• Horse related board games
• Bathing horses/water/fight/wash your hair with horse shampoo
• Tack cleaning
• Races to take apart and reassemble bridles
• Read horse magazines, encourage debate over articles, trivia, etc.
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org• Play with horse models to learn points of the horse/colors, etc.
• If there is a qualified instructor, vaulting can be performed on the practice
barrel, have the students practice compulsories or better yet make up their own
kur
• Work Sheets (see appendix)Older Horse Masters could learn about fitting bits
level in the mouth, and the correct way to fit a saddle
• Quick release knot tying races
• Equine massage
• Learn how horses feel by allowing students to practice using reins, one students
hand’s are the horses’ mouth, the other student is the rider. A great way to
teach about contact and being on the bit
• Talk about lunging and allow students to lunge each other
• Basic 1st aid
• Bandaging and boots
• Braiding
• Teach horse riders about equine nutrition and allow them to help with feeding
Section 8: Inventory
Saddles:
1 14” Western
1 15” Western
5 16” Western
5 17” Western
1 18” Western
4 15” English
6 16” English
5 17” English
Pads:
14 Western saddle pads
17 English saddle pads
1 Trail saddle pad (Julia’s)
Saddle accessories:
27 Cinches
17 English girths
4 Girth covers
1 Riser pad
Bridles:
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org8 Western
11 English
2 Hackamore
4 Extra bridles (without bits)
Bridle accessories:
9 Bit guards
3 Curb Chains
11 Bits
2 Western reins
3 English reins
Boots/Wraps:
6 Front boots (pairs)
2 Hind boots (pairs)
3 Bell boots (pairs)
5 Polo wraps (pairs)
4 Med wraps (pairs)
Miscellaneous:
4 Lunge lines
3 Lunge whips
25 Halters
16 Lead ropes
7 Grooming buckets
2 Crops
2 Leather hole punches
28 Helmets
Hard brushes
Soft brushes
Hoof picks
Sweat scrapers
Shedding blades
Metal curry combs
Plastic curry combs
Rubber curry combs
Mane combs
Shampoo
Conditioner
Hoof moisturizer
first aid kit
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.orgSection 9: Things to Remember
• Horse masters are not always able to tack up and ride proficiently, use Mondays to
asses and recap
• Keep the tack room well organized so that things will not be lost
• Label saddles, bridles, girths, etc. to save time
• Watch for injuries, wounds, thrush, etc.
• Know when the vet/farrier is coming out and plan accordingly
• Get cups BEFORE your current supply runs out
• Fill out accident reports if ANYONE gets injured, do them ASAP
• Carry walkie on trails.
• Scoop manure after trail riding around camp, make note of areas which need to be done
• Keep a good relationship with Bob Kolbe he can and will be an infinite source of help
• Update herd book as often as possible
• Keep track of supplies like shampoo/conditioner, fly spray, vet wrap, etc.
• Remember that children often claim to ride better than they actually do
• Watch ALL horses for signs of illness, unusual behavior, etc.
• Double check any horse you have doubts about
• Don’t be afraid to ask someone more knowledgeable
• Know the strengths and weaknesses of your staff, encourage team solving of problems
• Watch other staff to learn as much about first aid as possible, encourage the staff to
teach each other about everything, even things that they may think they are experts on
• Take the first aid kit to be refilled regularly both the horsey and the human ones!
• Keep a record of any periods in which campers did not ride and the reasons why. Give
to Lauren on a weekly basis.
• Have regular meetings with horse staff, work out problems, do some horsey bonding,
get a team spirit going
• Always tie horses to twine not directly to the fence
• Scrub water troughs regularly
• Always check troughs twice a day at least
• Try to wash bits after they have been used
• There is absolutely no cantering on the trails, for experienced staff on staff rides, some
cantering may be permitted however inexperienced staff are never permitted to canter.
We wouldn’t let our horse riders do it, we must have the same consideration for safety
for staff as for the kids
Section 10: Opening and Closing the Program
• The equestrian program runs year round therefore there are no specific opening and
closing schedules however keep the following in mind…
• During Staff Training make time to familiarize yourself with the other staff and with the
available horses, equipment, as well as feeding and cleaning schedules and requirements
• Make sure all tack is labeled for identification by campers. Do a tack check to ensure
there is sufficient comfortable tack for each horse
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org• Check that the trails are clear and rideable, allow new staff to learn routes and the
approximate time it takes to ride routes, remembering many trails will be at a slow
walk!!!
• Clear as much manure and clean as many troughs as possible to help minimize extra
work needing to be done when you are having to get the program running during the
first couple of weeks!
• Take thorough inventory
• Make sufficient copies of all Theory Sheets, keep them safe in binders
• Make sufficient copies of award record keeping sheet
• Order more award cards and record cards if necessary
• Clean and organize tack shed
• Test all your staff in all awards, run a few practice classes with them so they all know
how to perform, teach, and supervise all tasks.
• Practice emergency situations and how to deal with them
• Ensure all record cards are updated
• Write closing report for the Associate Director and the Summer Program Committee
• Clean out tack shed thoroughly, throw out all non-useful items (remember to keep
things for proficiencies)
• Pack away all theory sheets, awards cards, and record cards to be stored in the file
cabinet
• Update inventory
• At the end of summer leave the program tidy and try to leave all tack labeled to make
the off season workers job easier and next summers staff too! (Remember it could be
you!)
Section 11: Equestrian Proficiency Requirements
All tasks listed must be completed
1. TA Horse Riders and Horse Masters:
• Participate in setting up, running and closing of lesson:
• Tacking up safety and check of equipment
• Assist with mounting
• Check riders girths once they have mounted
• Check stirrups, be able to adjust to suitable length for rider, ensure they are level
• Have candidate remind horse riders before they move off of basic controls to go, stop, turn
• Be able to explain correct position of rider and how to hold reins
2. Ride English and Western to at least a level 4 standard:
• Refer to CHA level 4 requirements
3. Carry out basic grooming duties and understand why we groom, list 3 reasons:
• Clean the horse
• Check the horse over
• Build a rapport
• List all items in a grooming kit and their uses.
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org4. Know how to check tack fits correctly
Bridle
• Bit correct width/height in mouth
• Noseband correct height and fitted with 2 finger space
• Browband not pinching ears
• Curb chains lying flat and correct tightness to come into action when needed.
Saddle
• Correct width to sit over back evenly without perching on top.
• Fit 3 fingers between withers and pommel
• Nowhere along saddle should contact be made with the spine.
• Saddle fits flat on the back with maximum area of panel in contact with back.
• Always use 1st and 2nd or 1st and 3rd English girth straps – never 2nd and 3rd – explain why.
• Check saddle pads are pulled up into saddle gullet, so not pressing down on spine.
5. List things that may suggest sickness
• Off food
• Not drinking
• Dehydration – know how to test for.
• Abnormal temperature – know how to take
• Abnormal gut sounds
• Abnormal poop
• Stressed
• Not performing to normal ability etc
6. List common horse sickness and how to identify e.g. Potomac, Colic, fatigue, lameness.
What action would you take?
7. Be able to assist in treating minor cuts/swelling ( if none to be treated, run through
principles.)
8. Be able to trot up a horse for vet inspection, looking for lameness etc
• Allowing horse to move freely - not holding head too tightly.
• Running alongside NOT dragging etc
9. Lunge a horse at walk, trot, canter (at a horse that is used to being lunged)
• Know why we lunge
• Safety aspects
• Not expecting canter on a too short line etc
• Not over lunging (not more than 15/20 minutes). If the horse is not used to being lunged shorten the time.
• Voice commands
10. Come up with new lesson ideas for horseriders; and horsemasters, ride; and non-ride,
sessions.
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.org11. Understand and practice all ranch rules.
12. Display safe behavior around ranch horses, be aware of potential accidents
• Not tying to twine.
• Leaving reins loose whilst horses are waiting to be ridden.
13. Have good communication with both campers and ranch staff.
14. Show organization, punctuality and initiative.
15. Be able to leave riding, tack, feed areas tidy and clean.
16. Help supervise one feed session.
• Understand importance of daily barn clean.
• Checking water troughs are full and clean
• Importance of giving all the grain out as quickly as possible to avoid fights.
• Checking all horses are eating, and get necessary medication.
• Understand importance of cleaning buckets out.
• Why should horses always have access to hay and grass? Grazing animals need constant intake to keep the
digestive system happy and healthy.
17. Plan a 4 week schedule for either getting a horse fit for a competition or working a
green broke pony/horse.
YMCA Camp Eberhart 10481 Camp Eberhart Rd Three Rivers, MI 49093
(P) 269 244 5125 (F) 269 244 5000 (W) ymcacampeberhart.orgYou can also read
