Horseback Riding
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The riding portion of camp is taught by Jim McDonough, owner of Jim McDonough Cutting Horses. |
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During the horseback riding area, campers are introduced to the horse
that they will be riding every day of camp. For the most part, campers ride
the same horse and have the same horse leader and side walkers daily.
that they will be riding every day of camp. For the most part, campers ride
the same horse and have the same horse leader and side walkers daily.
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Each camper is accompanied by a horse leader and two side walkers to help them. Each horse leader is required to be at least 16 years of age with at least 5 years of horse experience. They are hand picked by the instructor to ensure the safety of your child. Our side-walkers are required to be at least 13 years of age and at least 5 feet tall. They go through an extensive training session prior to camp in order to teach them how to properly side-walk, communicate, and help the campers exceed to the best of their ability. |
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Each camper will be fitted with a safety belt and helmet. The safety belt is used for the side-walkers to hold on to and support the camper. They place one hand in the belt on the camper's back and their other hand on the camper's knee or ankle for extra support. |
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If your child requires extra support (such as those with Cerebral Palsy), we can provide that by using a back rider. Back riders have been used in therapeutic riding for years; however, TACO started using this technique in 2009. Jessica, a TACO committee member is the back-rider for camp. She has over 25 years of experience with horses and has been the back-rider since TACO started using this technique. The camper is still fitted with a belt and helmet, as well as their horse leader and 2 side-walkers. In addition to this, Jessica rides behind them providing extra support for the camper by placing her arms under the camper's arms and holding them upright. She also provides extra support by allowing the camper to lean back against her. This method is only used in circumstances where the camper is unable to hold themselves upright and needs the extra support.
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Once they are on their horses, they start the day out by stretching and
loosening up their muscles. Each day, there are different activities they participate in on horseback. They work on steering, trotting, and walking over ground poles daily. Other activities they do include finding certain colored objects around the ring. They must steer their horse to the object, pick it up, and return it to the instructor. They also enhance their hand eye coordination by dropping balls into buckets off of their horses and placing small rings on the top of stands.
Each year we work to incorporate new activities into this area of camp!
loosening up their muscles. Each day, there are different activities they participate in on horseback. They work on steering, trotting, and walking over ground poles daily. Other activities they do include finding certain colored objects around the ring. They must steer their horse to the object, pick it up, and return it to the instructor. They also enhance their hand eye coordination by dropping balls into buckets off of their horses and placing small rings on the top of stands.
Each year we work to incorporate new activities into this area of camp!
