Hernando County Park and Recreation offers camps for kids of all ages with different interests. Back within the country hillside of Brooksville, there is a camp called Horsin’ Around.
Dorothy Blair, owner of Blair Performance Horses, has been around horses all her life and providing the Horsin’ Around Camp is a passion for her. “I am all about horses and horse kids” Blair said. From 8am to 5pm this camp is a full week of learning, grooming and riding horses. The campers are assigned a partner by their height and experience and are partnered up with a specific horse. Some horses are gentler than others. Others are handled by more experienced riders.
Once the campers arrive they are paired up with their horses. They are to perform grooming and care routines as well as understanding the equipment that is used. “I like the fact that the kids are coming… so ready to learn” said Cindy Myerscugh, a Horsin’ Around Camp counselor. Grooming consists of cleaning the horse’s hooves, curring the horse’s coat, combing out tangles from the mane and tail, brush away dirt from the horse’s coat using a whisk brush, using a finishing brush and cleaning the ears, eyes and muzzle.
Next is preparing the horses for riding. Dorothy Blair and the counselors explain how to tack up their assigned horse. Tack consists of the following; a harness, bridle, blanket and saddle. Each of these are explained by the counselors and demonstrated before the campers put tack on their horse by discussing what tack is needed, what it’s used for, and how to put them on their horse safely. “They carry the tack, tack up the horse, it’s really cool just to see them do that and not need any help and be so independent” said Brianna Stringer, a Horsin’ Around Camp counselor.
The Horsin’ Around campers are in two groups where one group learns to ride, while the other group is with Mark Hammatt, who teaches the kids all about horses and safety. Keeping the kids safe is the most important issue for Dorothy Blair and everyone within in the camp. They stress the importance of safety through education and training as well as to understand the motions and movements of the horse they are caring for. The counselors who help out during this camp have knowledge and experience by being around horses and they also are from a variety of schools in Hernando County, for instance Brianna Stringer, a Hernando High student, owns two of the horses.
Once the day is coming to an end the campers cool down the horses and the stalls are cleaned. These young campers go home exhausted but with a great knowledge and understanding of horses. Believe it or not they are excited to come back and do it all over again the next day.
There are many kids of all ages wanting to have a horse. The responsibilities are demanding and challenging. When kids say that want to have a horse, this camp is a great learning tool to have them gain a better understanding of what those responsibilities are. “I have either fueled the fire of snuffed it out” Blair said.
For other information about Horsin’ Around camp, contact Hernando County Parks and Recreation at 352-754-4031 or email:recreation@hernandocounty.us
You can view their Facebook Page and see photos and other information about Blair Performance Horses and the Horsin’ Around Camp. (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blair-Performance-Horse/138016829566971)
