Summer Horse Programs

Ready to Ride

Ready to Ride is YMCA Camp Carter’s Summer Horse Camp for 8 to 16 year olds. Ready to Ride is designed for beginning riders.

Ready to Ride 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).

Each session has both mounted and unmounted activities and is progressive in nature, meaning that each day will build on the skills that a rider learned the day before. Space is limited and many weeks will have a waiting list.

Sessions begin at 9:30 AM and end approximately 11:30 AM. If your child is in Day or Overnight Camp at YMCA Camp Carter, they will be walked over to the Equestrian Center by YMCA staff in time for the program.

What to bring…

All participants must wear long pants to the ground, jeans are perfect! Please also bring a water bottle. Participants may wear their own smooth soled Cowboy/Cowgirl style boots and may bring their own current ASTM horseback riding helmet (subject to staff inspection and approval). We also have boots and helmets available for their use.

Ready to Ride 2

This session is by invitation only and is for those ready to learn or continue to work on trotting. If you are interested in signing up for this program please contact our Equestrian staff. This program will also include a 55 minute group riding lesson each day as well as a 55 minute unmounted lesson. Riding lessons will focus on balance and control at the sitting and posting trot. Un-mounted lessons may include how much it costs to own a horse, care of tack, basic horse first aid, a horse themed craft, careers with horses and possibly a visit from our vet or farrier. This program can be added to your overnight or day camp experience or you can drop off and pick up each day.

If you have any questions, or would like a tour of the Equestrian Center, please contact our Equestrian staff at horses@ymcafw.org or at (817) 738-9241