Summer Camp ~
During their stay at Hidden Creek Farm, campers will experience and improve on their horse skills, including horsemanship, training practices, horse showing, farm management, horse care including health, feeding (and why), cleaning and bedding. We assess the strengths of each student and teach them skills which will stay with them their entire lives. Horses are a window to people, and I raised four children and based a successful career on good common horse sense!!
Each young person will learn horse care and farm management, ride hunt, western and Tennessee Walking Horses so they can compare the seats and styles. Training is on the ground and in the saddle. Ride two to four times a day, on a variety of horses, to develop riding skills far beyond what could be developed by only riding a single horse. Riding experience at the camp for a single week exceeds the experience gained from six months of weekly lessons.
Emersion in riding and horses quickly accelerates the development of horsemanship skills. History of horse breeds and bloodlines, mare and foal care and socialization, and theories of breeding are part of the curriculum. Study videos of various techniques and then try them on horseback. Instruction is in riding techniques, theory and practical application. This is a true learning experience. Our weeky horse show allows each student to show off their skills in a comfortable environment.
We will sometimes attend other horse events in the area such as shows. This year we visited the $40,000 Grand Prix event in Culpeper.
This is a working horse farm and the students help with worming, treating minor ailments in horses, witnessed vet checks for pre-purchase exams, and turn out. They help with the farrier or when the vet pulling coggins tests. Whatever is going on at the farm during their stay, they will witness and participate. If we have customers looking at buying a horse, they will help demonstrate the horses.
We have the small pool to cool off, and lots of indoor activities for the heat of the day. Every week includes a fun craft time....of course with horse related crafts. There are games on horseback and trail rides, although the majority of the time spent riding will be in the ring, concentrating on developing horse skills.
We think some of our campers says it best.
I want everybody-- and I mean everybody-- to hear what I have to say..............You guys helped me in so many ways it is indescribable. I hope you have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I have attached a picture of me at a show. Thank you for helping me. I am sure i will be back again this summer!
As mentioned, there is a lot of flexibility to meet the needs of the students who are attending that particular week. But a typical day would run something like this:
7:00 Get up, dressed and ready for the day.
7:30 Feed the horses
8:00 Return to the house for breakfast
9:00 Begin main lesson on. This is on their main horse. In this lesson they work on themselves. 1.5 - 2 hours. Students will break into groups in some sessions and go into jumping lessons for those who are interested.
11:00 Horse activities, games on horseback
Noon Horse care, bathing, health care, grooming
1:00 break for lunch
2:00 Indoor lessons. Students sign up for such classes as parts of the horse, tack terms, horse breeds, everything you can do with a horse, bloodlines and colors, history of the horse, and more.
3:00 Small group lessons such as learning to jump, trail horse obsticles, western (or English for western students) gaited horses, roundpen work, desensitization, trail riding, dressage, ground work and more.
4:00 Second small group lessons
6:00 Dinner
6:30 Movie, during which we usually take a break for dessert.
8:15 - 9:00 showers
10:00 Lights out.
Mondays campers come in and old campers go out. Campers staying over have free time which we change the linen, clean, etc. Once the new campers arrive, there is an evaluation lesson, followed by a camper meeting where campers sign up for sessions for the week to come.
Fridays the fun show starts at 4:00, so the campers spend the afternoon getting their horses ready to show. This includes giving them a full bath.
PLEASE NOTE: Although we invite you to call and talk with us about the camp, purchase a video of past years, or come to visit, we will NOT give out names and contact information for our previous campers. We respect their privacy and we are sure that, should your child attend, you will appreciate that you will never be put in the position where strangers will have your private contact information, nor will you ever be put in the position to "sell" our camp. Call us, purchase a video and see what goes on for yourself. And remember, it is a lot harder to "fake" a video of dozens of children having fun, then to set up a "reference" call! So we feel we are providing a BETTER reference AND respecting the privacy of our students and their families.
To Contact Us for More information or to order a video. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number when ordering a video.