Bowers School Farm 2025 Spring Horse Camp!

We kicked off Day Two of Horse Camp with even more action-packed activities, fun learning moments, and hands-on experiences! Our campers dove right in and got their hands dirty, their minds engaged, and their spirits lifted by everything the day had to offer. From farrier visits to exciting horse treat recipes, here’s a glimpse of what we got up to today!

Farrier Visit – Learning from the Experts!

Today, we had the privilege of welcoming a farrier to camp, giving the campers a unique opportunity to learn about horse hoof care. Farrier, Jason demonstrated how he trims and shoes the horses’ hooves, explaining the importance of proper hoof health. Campers asked questions and watched in awe as they learned about this essential part of horse care. It was a great way to understand the “behind the scenes” work that goes into keeping horses healthy and happy!

Farm Chores – A Daily Responsibility

As part of our daily routine, campers took on their farm chores with enthusiasm and teamwork. From mucking out stalls to feeding the horses and checking on the animals, they gained a true understanding of the hard work and dedication it takes to run a farm. It’s all about learning responsibility and the value of hard work!

Blindfold Obstacle Course – Trusting Your Partner

Next up was a fun and challenging activity— the Blindfold Obstacle Course, Horse Edition! In pairs, one camper wore a blindfold while the other guided them through a series of obstacles—using only verbal cues and their own knowledge of horses and tack. The campers had to trust each other completely, navigating with bridles and practicing communication and teamwork. The laughter and determination made it one of the highlights of the day!

Solo Horseback Riding – Gaining Confidence in the Saddle

After all that teamwork, it was time for some solo horseback riding! Campers took turns riding their horses one-on-one, gaining confidence and improving their skills. With each ride, they built a stronger connection with their horses and learned the fundamentals of riding. It was amazing to see how much they grew in just one day!

Egg Drop Challenge – Brain & Helmet Safety STEM Project

Next, we got into some brainy fun with our STEM Egg Drop Challenge! This hands-on project was all about brain and helmet safety. Each camper was tasked with designing a protective helmet for an egg (using materials provided) to prevent it from breaking when dropped. It was a wonderful way to teach kids about safety and the importance of protecting their heads—plus, it was so fun watching the eggs “drop” in the end! The campers were able to take away some valuable lessons about helmet safety and brain protection.

Horse Treat Recipe – A Delicious Farm Treat!

Of course, no day would be complete without something delicious! We whipped up some homemade horse treats in the Garden Kitchen, and campers had a blast mixing up the ingredients for a fun, sweet snack for their horses.

Horse Treat Recipe: Ingredients (per camper):

¼ cup of sweet feed
1 TBSP of applesauce
½ TBSP of molasses
¼ cup of flour
⅛ tsp of cinnamon
Sugar cones
Sprinkles
Peppermints

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Use a mixer to gently combine all of the ingredients.
Give each camper a disposable bowl. (Note: The dough will be extremely sticky!)
Scoop the dough into the sugar cones and pack it down carefully (don’t heap it up too much).
Dip the “ice cream” portion of the cone into sprinkles (remember: no peppermint yet!).
Place them on a non-stick cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
After baking, press a peppermint into the top of each cone while the dough is still soft.
Let the treats cool for a few hours before serving them to your horse.

Tack Up a Horse – Mastering the English Saddle

In today’s lesson, campers learned how to tack up a horse using an English saddle! They carefully practiced each step—from placing the saddle on the horse's back to securing the girth and adjusting the stirrups. This hands-on activity gave campers a true sense of responsibility, as they learned how to properly prepare a horse for riding. It was a fantastic learning moment, and it was great to see the campers feeling more confident with each step!

Poster Projects – Diving Deeper into Equine Education

To wrap up the day, campers began working on their poster projects! They’ll be researching and presenting on a variety of equine topics, such as:

Equine Care Management (How to care for a horse)
Equine Anatomy
Breeds, Colors, and Markings
Tack and Equipment
Equine First Aid
Equine Nutrition
Equine Careers

These projects give campers the chance to dive deep into one of their areas of interest and present their findings on Friday to earn a specialty badge! It’s an exciting way to combine learning with creativity, and we can’t wait to see the final presentations.

Day Two was a whirlwind of fun, learning, and hands-on experiences, and we’re so excited to keep this adventure going! With more horseback riding, horse care, and learning ahead, there’s no telling what amazing things tomorrow will bring. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our journey through Spring Break Horse Camp!

See you tomorrow! 🐴✨

Day Two at Horse Camp: A Whirlwind of Fun, Learning, and Horses!