We invite all those ages 11 to 17 who love both horses and people to come spend a week or more with us this summer. Our Horse Leader training program offers young men and women an opportunity to have fun in a healthy environment while improving their ability to influence horses and humans in positive ways.

With Liz Polanco, Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and Mica Graves, Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Every summer we open our doors to kids of all ages who want to find out what it is like to truly get into the rhythm of ranch life. This is an opportunity for your son or daughter to have fun and gain self-confidence while learning to ride and care for horses.

For more information please click the link below.

Ride and join in ranch activities, learning to care for the horses.

Come to one or all:

Friday, July 19; Friday, August 2; Friday, August 9; and Monday, August 19, 2013 from 9 am to 4 pm at Good Reception Ranch. $75/day

Adventure Camp

Monday, August 12th-Thursday, August 15th, with one prep meeting beforehand

We are very excited to offer our first adventure camp in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Southern Colorado!

Co-facilitated by Mica Graves, Liz Polanco, and Kim Seng

-Teens will learn what it is like to be part of a working group
-Build trust and have fun with your horse through long days together and new activities like liberty work
-Explore the surrounding trails on horseback
-Learn what it takes to care for your horse night and day
-Campfires and storytelling hosted by the keepers of Sulphur Springs Ranch
-Opportunities to explore hidden caves and learn an important and rich story about the Native Americans who lived in the canyon
-Stay in cabins at the beautiful, remote Sulphur Springs Ranch near La Veta

http://www.sulphurspringsranch.com/aboutus.html

Cost $650 includes four days and three nights of activities, cabin accommodations, food, and horse fees plus an informational meeting

Family Day

New life is a gift that comes to the ranch each spring. Come meet the newest herd members (Waylon and...?) on this Sunday morning in May. We will have some brunch snacks, offer tours of the ranch, and observe the foals and their mothers. People of all ages welcome. Email Mica to reserve your quiche.

Sunday, May 19th, 2013 10am-12pm

Lead with Horsepower Experiential for Parents and Facilitators

This talk is sponsored by Front Range Equine Guild, a Meetup group dedicated to providing social networking and education for anyone interested in the power of the human-horse relationship.

This is the first FREG demo to focus on working therapeutically with families and children. It is open to both parents and facilitators. Mica will discuss how horses can help us ramp up the power we have as leaders to influence kids in positive ways. The evening will include discussion and experiential activities with the horses. There is a $5 suggested donation to the MeetUp organizer.

Tuesday, May 14th, 6-7:30. Visit http://www.meetup.com/FREGuild/ or contact Mica to sign up.

The power of the herd to guide us towards presence and connection with ourselves and others is phenomenal. Experience for yourself what it is like to listen and be heard in a group of receptive horses and humans. We will spend time with the horses at liberty in a herd, allowing them to connect with us at their own pace. This allows us the greatest amount of feedback, as horses are often moved to join us when we tap into our deep emotions.

This summer you can take part in 5 Equine Facilitated Learning groups for the price of 3! The Be Herd "Summer Pass" is $105, and allows you to come to six 90 minute groups. Come to some or all of the groups, as your schedule allows.

Monday evenings 6:30-8 pm at Good Reception Ranch
Next group Monday, June 24th, then every other Monday; ending August 19th, 2013

Teens can participate in two horse camps and may volunteer to help in other camps throughout the summer. Click "read more" below for details.

With Mica Graves, MA, Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Liz Polanco and guest instructors

Every summer we open up our doors to kids of all ages who want to find out what it is like to truly get into the rhythm of ranch life. This is an opportunity for your son or daughter to have fun and gain self-confidence while learning to ride and care for horses.

Camp Info:

-Daily group riding lessons
-Additional riding exercises including bareback riding and lunge lessons
-Buddy up with a horse - choose a horse to get to know better during the week and be responsible for his/her care
-Improve observation skills, practice setting boundaries and intentions, and learn to regulate energy levels to influence the horse
-Participants receive lots of individual attention in our small groups of 6-8 participants and learn how to be a caring and considerate group member

Choose from 5 camps:

Stress Buster Teen Camp - 6/3/13 to 6/8/13
Horse Buddy Camp for Tweens - 6/17/13 to 6/22/13
Horse Lovers’ Camp for ages 5-12 - 7/8/13 to 7/12/13
Horse Lovers’ Half-Day Camp for ages 4-12 - 7/22/13 to 7/26/13
Teen Adventure Camp - 8/12-8/15/13

For specific dates and prices, click on the "read more" link below. To register, please email me at Mica@BigHorseTLC.com

If you have ever wondered if you can truly understand and feel safe with horses even if you didn't grow up with them in your backyard, Liz is proof that you can. While in high school, Liz began volunteering at the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center's All Ability Summer Camp and soon became known to have a special way with kids and horses alike.

For the last five years Liz has been responsible for caring for Good Reception Ranch's 60 head of horses. She doctors horses, prepares feed supplements, gives daily massages, and halter trains the youngsters. She was even there to deliver a filly who was born at an unexpected time!

Since 2009, Liz has co-facilitated summer camps with Mica. She has also helped dozens of kids and adults become more comfortable working with horses on the ground and in the saddle. Her patience, caring, and understanding comes through whether she is working with people or horses.

Liz is available for group and private riding lessons as well as groundwork sessions. In addition to giving riding lessons, Liz helps kids and adults learn to work safely with horses in herds and teaches people how to catch and halter, feed and doctor, and groom and tack horses. She is certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (formally NARHA).

Please contact Mica for more information.