Email Comments on DRS Horse Camp:

Melody got to go to Horsemanship Summer Camp.  Melody has always had an interest in horses, so this was a unique opportunity for her.  Not only did she get to learn about being an equestrian, but she got to learn about it in the heart of horse country!!!  She went to the camp daily from 9am till 4pm.  Each day they started by feeding and grooming the horses in the stables.  Since there were a few horses that needed medical care, they even learned about helping to heal a horse and give them their medicine.  Melody got lucky, her group missed having to shovel out the stables.  She was very happy about this.  She was also taught how to clean the horses hooves.  She thought it was pretty nifty that there is a little acorn shaped spot on their leg, that when pressed, gets them to lift their leg so you can scrape their hooves clean.  Melody's group was a bit to small in height to put the saddle and bridals the horses daily, though they were taught the proper method for doing so.  Part of her day at camp was learning the textbook information of horses; Body parts, Coloration, Social and Psychological interactions, Different Equipment and its uses, and of coarse Safety.  But her favorite part of the day was learning to ride a horse.  Melody says that the key to making a horse go is the smile, squeeze, smooch, method.  First you smile for the horse.  Then you squeeze your legs and your butt cheeks. (This part is usually followed by laughter when she tells you.)  Finally you make kissing noises to your horse, to let her know you would love to get moving.  She is by no means an expert at handling a horse yet, but it was quite impressive to see that by the end of the week, they were able to build enough confidence in her to get her to ride a horse BARE BACK!!!