2780 Buffalo Road in Varysburg, New York

 ACA Accreditation

585-786-2251

Horse Camp

July 1-6, 2012

Come See What We Have To Offer!

Wyomoco Horse Camp is the ideal horsemanship experience for the horse enthusiast. This year promises to be a great year for Horse Week! Wyomoco is proud to continue the long standing tradition for campers to bring a horse to camp. Renting a horse for the week is also available. The environment at Wyomoco is safe and non-competitive. Horse Camp offers a unique hands-on program designed to strengthens horsemanship skills through twice daily riding lessons, a daily lesson in horse care and daily stable chores. Wyomoco encourages any boy or girl between the ages of 10 and 16 to apply. Wyomoco respects everyone's interest; however, Horse Camp is not for the beginner equestrian. Weeks 2 through 6 are designed for the beginner and may be a more appropriate choice.

Hope to see you at Horse Camp Week!

About Horse Camp

Under the watchful eye of knowledgeable instructors and counselors, campers will practice a constant respect and understand for safety when working with horses. This can be a strenuous program for you and the horse you bring. Campers are reminded to get themselves and their horses in shape by riding at least one hour each day for a few weeks prior to camp. Each camper will assume full responsibility of their horse for the week handling the daily stable chores of mucking, grooming, feeding, tacking, untacking and riding.

Amid the daily horse activities, riding instructors make certain to maintain the camp spirit of fun, new friendships and discovery of new abilities. Guided by knowledgeable riding instructors the core of riding instruction will be the balanced seat and control of horse. Riding instruction is adapted to meet rider ability. Riding instruction is supplemented by participation in trail rides, negotiating trail class obstacles, mounted games, jumping, dressage and riding patterns. Riding instructors work toward a confident rider who communicates respectfully to a willing horse. Wyomoco Horse Camp assures each camper a fun filled week all while self confidence and discoveries in horsemanship skills unfold for the beginning of a true horse/rider relationship.

Specialty Camp Fee: $50

When...

Sunday, July 1- Friday, July 6, 2012. Horse Camp Registration is Sunday, July 1, from 10:00 a.m. until noon only. (Gate will open promptly at 10:00 a.m.) There are no early admissions. Picnic style lunch provided. Camp ends Friday, July 6 at 7:00 p.m. Please arrive on time for camper and horse pick up.

What to Expect Each Day

  • Sharing the week with traditional campers allows our horsey camper to come together and share routine activities with youth of other interests outside of the horse arena.
  • In the afternoon horse campers will have the option to participate in "Activity Board", a chance to try a traditional camp activity. "Activity Board" does not take away any horse lessons.
  • Horse campers will receive twice daily ring lessons and one daily dismounted lesson.
  • Riding lessons will be grouped by ability.

What to Expect for Lessons

4-H Camp Wyomoco is a non-competitive, learning environment. After a short evaluation ride on Sunday, campers will be grouped according to riding ability. English and Western riding lessons are offered. Wyomoco riding instruction is given twice daily and a dismounted lesson in horse care and handling once a day.

Morning riding instruction will focus on the balance seat and control. This seat is the basic for all disciplines of riding whether English or Western and teaches the rider proper body position. The joy of riding a horse is the pleasure to be able to ride correctly. Working towards this position riders will learn stretching exercises supplemented with cavalletti, cones, games and riding patterns to gain proper position and ways to control the horse.

A morning dismounted lesson includes topics of horse care, horse handling and tack.

The second riding lesson in the afternoon is the opportunity for campers to "put into practice" morning skills such as trail rides, trail class obstacles, jumping, mounted games, gymkhana and dressage. The comfort and riding ability of each camper is considered for jumping and trail riding, as safety is our main concern.

Horse Nutrition and Stabling

All campers are expected to bring their own hay and supplemental feeds to maintain good equine nutrition for the week. Water will be available.

The horse you bring will be stabled under the stars, in a wooden, rustic tie stall. Shavings will be provided.

Mandatory Riding Equipment and Paperwork

  • An approved, ASTM-SEI Certified, riding helmet must be worn at all times while riding.
  • Boots with at least an half inch heel.
  • No sneakers allowed.
  • A negative Coggins certificate dated 2010 or 2011 for each horse. (This will be checked at the main gate.)
  • A Rabies Vaccination certificate, within one year for each horse. (This will be checked at the main gate.)
  • A Camper Health History Form is also required for each camper.

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"Rent a Horse for the Week" Program

Download Application

Campers who cannot bring a horse to camp may enroll in this program for an additional $150. (This fee includes all feed and tack for the leased horse.)

The “Rent a Horse for the Week” program exists for campers who have horsemanship experience. Instructors will match your riding ability and comfort level to a horse that you will ride in lessons. You will also assume full responsibility of the horse's stable chores including mucking, grooming, feeding, tacking and untacking. This program is not designed for the first time equestrian, but rather the camper who has experience and would like to further their horsemanship skills. A short riding evaluation on Sunday will assist instructors to place you in a group at your ability. Although campers in this program begin in separate classes, our goal is to mainstream all "Rent a Horse for the Week" riders as soon as they are able.

Enrollment in the Rent a Horse program is limited to 15 campers, so if you are interested, it is urgent that you respond as soon as possible to apply for your place in this program. Those campers not qualified for this program will be recommended for the horsemanship class in Weeks 2 through 6.

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 Sample Daily Schedule

    6:30 a.m. Rise and shine
    7:00 Feed horses
    8:00 Breakfast
    8:30 Report to Horse Area
    9:00 First Class
    10:00 Second Class
    11:00 Morning Classes End - Settle Horses For Afternoon
    12:00 p.m. LUNCH
    12:30 Rest Hour
    1:40 Announcements
    2:00 Report to Horse Area
    2:30 Third Class
    3:30 Afternoon Classes End
    4:00 Free Time
    5:00 Return to Cabin
    5:15 Mandatory Graining
    5:30 Dinner
    6:00 Mandatory Watering - Settle Horses For Evening
    6:15 Flag Lowering & Evening Activities
    10:00 Lights Out and Quiet

 

Sample Evening Programs

Evening programs are always flexible and dependant on weather.  Below are some examples of activities that have been done in the past.

  • SUNDAY - Introduction to Camp
  • MONDAY - Campfire/Hike to Gorge
  • TUESDAY - Water Fun Olympics
  • WEDNESDAY - Counselor Fashion Show
  • THURSDAY - Dance
  • FRIDAY - Horseshow/Campfire

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Questions? Contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Wyoming County
401 N. Main St., Warsaw, NY 14569 -- (585) 786-2251 - FAX: (585) 786-5148