Equine Camp | CougarMountainStables

Horse-crazy campers, Enhanced Horse Program!

Serious Horse-Lovers Camp: Focused and Fun with Horses Only!

Our renowned riding programs—where students progress from beginner to advanced levels and gain experience working with developing horses—are now enhanced with a dedicated Horse Schooling Program.

Designed for horse-enthusiastic campers who want deeper learning, this program follows a structured horsemanship curriculum focused on riding skills, horse care, safe handling, and responsible management. Each participant receives a comprehensive booklet that guides them through clearly defined levels of horsemanship, helping track progress and reinforce learning.

The more time and dedication campers invest in their education, the more skills they develop. Progress through the program is designed to build confidence, responsibility, and a strong sense of accomplishment as each level is completed.

Riding Lessons

Riders participate in daily group lessons tailored to their individual skill levels. Instruction is provided by experienced professionals from our year-round lesson program, ensuring consistent, high-quality teaching in a supportive learning environment.

Lessons may include both English and Western riding, as appropriate for each rider’s level, and follow a structured curriculum developed by our Academy Director. Riders progress at their own natural pace through clearly defined skill development, with an emphasis on proper technique, balance, and safety.

Our goal is to develop well-rounded, confident riders who understand the fundamentals of horsemanship, horse care, and safe riding practices. Safety and appropriate progression are our top priorities, while maintaining a positive, encouraging atmosphere where students can enjoy learning, build friendships, and grow their skills alongside their peers.

Horsemanship

Riders gain hands-on instruction in horse care and stable management through participation in daily barn routines. Under the guidance of experienced equine professionals, campers learn essential horsemanship topics including grooming, tacking, bathing, basic horse health awareness, feeding, nutrition, and safe stable management practices.

Our program is designed around active, experiential learning, allowing riders to build practical skills through supervised participation. Campers develop responsibility and confidence as they care for their assigned horses, while receiving consistent instruction and support to ensure both safety and positive learning outcomes—all within a fun, encouraging environment.

Free Period Riding

Each morning, riders participate in structured lessons with their assigned horses, focusing on proper technique, balance, and skill progression. In the afternoons, students may have the opportunity to participate in supervised independent flatwork, commonly referred to as “hacking,” when appropriate for their skill level.

These sessions are closely monitored by staff and are designed to help riders apply techniques learned during lessons while building confidence, responsibility, and decision-making skills. For riders who are not yet ready for independent flatwork, afternoons include additional guided horsemanship instruction and horse-related learning activities.

No rider is ever unsupervised. All activities are intentionally designed to support safe skill development, encourage confidence, and foster age-appropriate independence within a structured educational environment.

Horseplay Highlights

Western Tack & Riding

In our Western riding lessons, you'll learn all about the Western saddle, from identifying its parts to proper placement on your horse. We'll teach you how to bridle your horse, adjust your stirrups, and tighten the cinch securely. You’ll also discover how to measure the correct saddle size for both horse and rider, ensuring comfort and safety. As we progress, you’ll learn to trot in rhythm, mastering how to post with the horse’s movement and sit the trot with balance and ease. It's a comprehensive foundation for confident, skilled riding!

Rein Management

Before hopping on a real horse, you'll first learn how to properly manage your reins for smooth control. We also use our mechanical horse to help you get a feel for the movements and practice steering, stopping, and balance. It's a great way to build confidence and coordination before riding the real thing!

The mechanical horse offers a safe, controlled environment for riders to practice essential riding skills without the unpredictability of a live horse. It helps you develop balance, posture, and coordination, while allowing you to focus on specific movements, such as steering with the reins, proper leg placement, and mastering transitions like walking, trotting, or posting. It’s especially helpful for beginners to build confidence and learn at their own pace before transitioning to a real horse.

English Tack & Riding

In our English riding camp, campers will learn how to properly tack up their horses with English saddles, including identifying all the parts and ensuring correct placement. They'll practice adjusting stirrups, fitting the bridle, and securing the girth for a safe, comfortable ride. As they progress, campers will also learn the basics of riding in an English saddle, including posting at the trot and identifying the correct posting diagonal for better balance and rhythm. It’s a great introduction to the world of English riding!

Vaulting Practice

Campers will have the exciting opportunity to practice equine vaulting movements while riding. Vaulting, which combines gymnastics and horseback riding, is a fantastic way to improve balance, coordination, and flexibility. It also boosts confidence as riders learn to move in harmony with the horse, developing trust and body awareness. Whether standing, kneeling, or doing other basic moves, vaulting helps build strength and grace, making it a fun and beneficial activity for all levels of riders!

Bareback

Riding bareback offers a unique and valuable experience for campers, helping them develop a deeper connection with the horse. Without the saddle, riders learn to rely on their core strength and balance, which improves their posture and overall riding skills. Bareback riding also enhances body awareness and communication with the horse, making it a great way to build confidence and trust. It’s a fun challenge that strengthens the bond between rider and horse while improving riding fundamentals!

Ride with your legs

After mastering rein control, it's important for campers to learn how to guide their horses using leg cues. By using their legs, campers can communicate more subtly with their horses, helping them understand direction and speed without relying heavily on the reins. This not only improves the rider’s balance and control but also creates a more harmonious partnership with the horse. Campers will practice riding through courses, refining their leg cues to steer and guide their horses with ease and finesse.

Trail Course Challenges

Campers will put their skills to the test in an exciting trail course challenge! Using everything they’ve learned about riding with leg cues, they’ll navigate obstacles while practicing how to back a horse, side pass, move the horse’s hindquarters, perform shoulder turns, and more. This fun and engaging challenge helps riders build confidence and refine their control, making them more versatile and skilled in the saddle. It’s a great way to apply their riding techniques in real-world situations!

Equine Science

Equine science is the study of horses, including their biology, behavior, nutrition, care, and interaction with humans. It covers a wide range of topics, such as horse anatomy, breeding, training, genetics, and equine health. For kids, learning equine science offers numerous benefits:

Responsibility and Discipline: Caring for horses requires routine tasks such as feeding, grooming, and mucking stalls. Kids develop a sense of responsibility by maintaining these daily habits and understanding the needs of animals.

Empathy and Compassion: By interacting with horses, children learn to connect emotionally with animals. They develop empathy as they care for creatures that rely on them for well-being.

Physical Fitness: Riding and caring for horses involve physical activity, improving balance, coordination, and overall fitness in kids. Tasks like grooming or mucking stalls also strengthen their bodies through functional movement.

Emotional Development: Horses are sensitive to human emotions, offering children a non-judgmental space to express themselves. Working with horses can reduce stress and build confidence as kids develop a bond with these gentle creatures.

Educational Value: Equine science integrates many subjects such as biology, chemistry (nutrition and health), and physics (horse movement and riding dynamics). Kids also develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they handle the practical aspects of horse care and training.

Connection to Nature: Spending time with horses outdoors fosters an appreciation for nature and the environment, encouraging kids to be mindful of ecological balance.

Career Foundation: For children passionate about animals, equine science can spark interest in future careers such as veterinary medicine, animal behavior, or agriculture.

Learning equine science equips kids with valuable life skills, deepens their understanding of animals, and fosters personal growth in a meaningful and engaging way.

Trick Training and Liberty

Experience the fun of trick training and liberty work with our adorable miniature ponies! Campers will learn to teach these clever ponies a variety of tricks and maneuvers, all while working in a relaxed, free-roaming environment. This hands-on activity not only strengthens the bond between pony and handler but also enhances communication skills and creativity. It's a delightful way to see just how smart and responsive these little ponies can be, making for a memorable and enjoyable experience for all!

Booklet & Check Lists!

Introducing our new Horse Crazy Booklet Series! Designed as an engaging scavenger hunt, these booklets encourage kids to explore all aspects of horsemanship. Each booklet features a checklist of tasks and skills to master before moving on to the next level, making learning both fun and rewarding. Our booklets are a fantastic way to get kids excited about riding and understanding horse care, fostering a deep appreciation for our large friends and their needs. It’s an adventure in horsemanship that builds knowledge and confidence!