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Article Excerpt
Another way to increase usage at camp facilities is to allow people to bring their own horses to camp. Both youth and adults will have this interest and appreciate having a location to camp with their equine friend. Attending camp with a horse can strengthen the understanding and communication between the two and four-legged members of the team. The therapeutic value of horses at camps is well documented. (See the March/April 2004 Camping Magazine article, "Equestrian Programs at Camp--Tradition and Fun.")
Over 400,000 4-H youth attend camps annually (Garst & Bruce 2003). Utilizing the knowledge of 4-H staff and the structure of 4-H horse projects by inviting these campers to bring their horses can be a beneficial addition to any camp schedule. Since 2002 the Oregon 4-H Center has added a 4-H members horse camp to the summer activities.
Project Context
Nationwide participation in 4-H horse projects is growing each year. In Oregon in 2005, over 4,100 members enrolled in horse projects. Over 21 percent of all Oregon 4-H projects are horses, up from 17 percent in 2001. Over 90 percent of horse project youth compete at fairs and shows. About half of members live in cities, where they board their horses. As open spaces are reduced, so is the amount of land available for trail riding. Some riders never venture outside a fenced arena, because of a lack of outdoor riding space. Horses and riders used to being in a confined space may not be mentally (or physically) suitable for riding beyond fenced boundaries. Riding through brush, over rough terrain, and a long way from the barn requires confidence and analytical and technical skills to handle the mount. Horses are also prone to physical injury (i.e., leg sprains, cuts, etc.). Youth frequently aren't taught to deal with emergency veterinary injuries that can incur on a trail ride. One solution...
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