Parents looking to engage their kids in something fun over spring break can look about a half hour west of Cochrane, where they’ll find the Bar JO Ranch waiting to offer a variety of horsemanship camps for all levels, this year at a 25 per cent discount for the March and April camps.
Owner/operator John Owens said it’s an excellent opportunity for aspiring riders who’ve never gone on a trail ride before, or even maybe never ridden at all.
After some initial training, and once Owens’ staff determines it’s safe, even the most inexperienced kids can look forward to a trail ride with the Rockies in the background.
“That’s a big step out here, when they get to go on a trail ride,” he said.
The kids also meet new friends – some of the four-legged variety.
“They get their own horse or pony for the whole week – we don’t share horses here,” Owens said.
Riders are picked up at Cochrane High School each morning Monday to Friday, where the ranch bus takes them about a half hour west for two 2-hour sessions per day. There are other transportation options described on their website.
Owens said unlike the kids in his life, who are quite familiar with school buses, some of the kids are almost as excited about the bus ride as the horse ride.
So the Spring Break discounts are 25 per cent off: $450 for ages 5 to 7 years (normally $600), and $540 for ages 8 to18 years (normally $720).
Long pants are required, and parents are encouraged to make sure the kids have sunscreen. No sandals. Helmets are provided. Those parents who are so inclined are welcome to hang around and watch the proceedings.
They promise a “fun-filled, week long adventure on horseback for horse/pony enthusiasts from five years old to 18 years old, every week during July and August.”
Bar JO ranch is located approximately 20 mins west of Cochrane in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
Advocates of horse camps claim many benefits from working with horses: balance, confidence, communication skills, all while creating lasting memories from the camp experience.
Bar JO Ranch is run by the same family that has operated the Griffin Valley Ranch trail riding and summer camps since 2009. They offer: Summer Horse Camps; Spring Horse Camps; Fall Horse Camps; Children and Adult Trail Rides; Guides and Scouts Lessons and Trail Rides; Stampede Pony Rides; A Traditional Wedding Horse, and other Equine Activities and Special Events.
For more information go to barjo.ca. The ranch is located at 273041 Beaupre Creek Rd in Rocky View County.
