Equestrian

YMCA Camp Carter’s equestrian programs combine safe and healthy horses, trained staff, and excellent facilities to create a positive atmosphere where campers can focus on horses. These programs allow our campers the opportunity to advance their horseback riding skills, expand their horsemanship knowledge, and enjoy riding with friends.

We feature a herd of well-trained horses of a variety of breeds, sizes, and personalities. Plus, all YMCA Camp Carter’s horseback riding programs are instructed by equestrian-trained, CPR/First Aid certified staff. Our goal is to teach participants the fundamentals of riding while developing skills, coordination, confidence, and self-esteem.

As always, safety is our top priority. For all horse programs, we require riders to wear long pants and protective helmets. We also recommend that participants wear heeled boots or closed toed shoes. If needed, loaner helmets and boots are available for each activity at no charge.

Saturday Morning Programs

 

Pony Express:  For children ages 4-8 and their parents, we offer Pony Express, a fun hour-long Saturday morning class that is a great introduction to horses.  The class teaches horse safety, grooming basics, and how to lead a horse.  The parent will then learn to lead their child on the horse in our covered arena under wrangler supervision.  The class will be 1 hour in duration and be on every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. throughout the spring.  Cost is $50 for YMCA members and active military families and $65 for nonmembers.

 

 

VIPs:  For children ages 6 and up, join us an hour before Pony Express for the VIP program.  Children will get to assist with feeding the horses and learn the basics of horse care and then take a 15-minute wrangler-led ride in our arena.  Cost is $35 for members, $45 for nonmembers.

Registration link coming soon!  In the meantime, email us at [email protected] if you’re interested!

Junior Wrangler-in-Training

This program is designed for the beginner through intermediate rider and each day will include both mounted and ground based lessons. Junior Wrangler-in-Training sessions offered between August and May will include a total of four two-hour lessons for ages 8 to 16.

During the summer, the Junior Wrangler-in-Training sessions are offered for a week as a time and can be combined with day or overnight camp, or they can be taken as a standalone camp from 8:00-10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday.

This program includes a one hour ground lesson every day (could include: learning the parts of a Western or English saddle, learning the parts of the horse, how to groom, lead and saddle, how to measure height and weight of a horse, different breeds, colors and markings and the Native Trail of Painted Ponies) and one hour mounted group riding lesson every day (could include: learning the four natural aids, correct riding position, balance, starting, stopping, steering, mounting, dismounting, playing games on horseback, or trail riding).

Groups & Troops

The YMCA Camp Carter Equestrian Center offers many programs for your group or troop and we can also customize programs to fit your needs. If you need volunteer projects, help earning your next badge, or just simply want your group to experience horses, contact us at 817-738-9241 or [email protected].

Buckaroo Birthday Party General Information:

  • Birthday parties are scheduled from 12pm to 2pm on Saturdays.
  • Parties need to be booked 30 days in advance, this allows for staffing and the scheduling of our other horse programs. We can accommodate  bookings as soon as two weeks if the schedule permits.
  • A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. Cash or credit cards are accepted.
  • Attendees must be a minimum of 6 years old to participate. Siblings who are younger than the minimum age can attend but must be supervised by an adult and would not be able to participate in the horse activities. This is for safety reasons.
  • There is a minimum of 5 participants and a maximum of 15 paid participants.
  • Decorations are not provided.
  • We have 2 picnic tables and large folding table available for your cake, food, gifts, etc.
  • You are allowed to bring cake, snacks, prepared foods, and drinks.
  • Party set up is allowed 30-minutes prior to the start of the party.
  • All clean-up of food, drinks, decorations, party favors, etc. is the responsibility of the parents.
  • If guests arrive early, they will need to wait outside of the barn until the party officially starts.
  • Birthday party participants must wear closed-toe shoes. Flip flops or sandals are not permitted.
  • We will supply helmets for those who ride a horse.
  • Everyone entering the barn must sign a waiver.

 

 

Buckaroo Birthday Party Pricing

  • There is a flat fee of $250 for the first 10 children. $15 for each additional child up to a maximum of 15 paid guests total.
  • Includes a ride around our arena for each participant on a full size horse (we do not have ponies),  a hands on horse experience where participants learn how to care for and groom a horse. Each child will have the opportunity to pet and brush a horse. We do offer 2 optional games: roping and boot toss. These games must be supervised by a parent. This portion of the party lasts approximately one and a half hours. Depending on party size, participants may be split up into groups to ride and participate in the horse experience. The last half hour allows you to serve cake, open gifts and take photos.
  • Barn t-shirts are available for purchase for $10. We would need sizes and amount in advance.

 

Add-Ons:

  • Paint-a-Horse: for an additional $15/participant. Each participant will get to participate in painting a horse and learn about the different symbols used by Native Americans. Note: Painting is messy, but we only use non-toxic paints that easily wash off of hands and clothing.

 

Buckaroo Party Round-Up

  • Responsible party arrives to set up. Set up can begin as early as 30 minutes prior to the start of the party.
  • Guests arrive and waivers are signed
  • Welcome announcement – birthday child is recognized
  • Wranglers are introduced Barn Rules are covered
  • Arena rides and hands on horse experience
  • Paint a horse – if applicable
  • Cake, gifts, photos, etc.

 

Safety

We make safety a priority and require that everyone follow our barn rules. These will be covered at the beginning of the party.

 

FAQs

All participants must wear jeans or riding breaches! Please also bring a water bottle. Participants may wear their own smooth soled Cowboy/Cowgirl style boots and may bring their own current horseback riding helmet (subject to staff inspection and approval). We also have loaner boots and helmets available for use.

No, the Camp Carter Equestrian Center’s address is 5800 Meandering Rd., Fort Worth, TX 76114. It is located though the gates to the Castleberry Sports Complex.