June 29-July 1 Sis went to Horse Camp. It was actually Equine Assisted Therapy. Sis has some irrational fears we have been dealing with...and though she loves horses - she's just to afraid to get near them. They are too big. Or whatever, not sure, but we tried lessons before that ended in tears before the lesson began.
This camp started out about the same. She was afraid...but luckily 2 girls (Briar and Ashlynn) from gymnastics were also in the class so she ran off to play with them. Camp was not about riding, but more about getting to know horses and their moods and how human behavior & horses are similar. How to know the signs. How to care for a horse and make friends with the horse.
Day 1 - Monday This was the day to get to know behaviors. How we feel, how the horse feels and how to know the signs. (we frown - we are sad) (horses ears back they are mad), etc. All the kids (i think there were 10) were divided into groups and each group had tasks to perform related to the horses. Sis & her teammate had 3 tasks to complete as a team and then the waterworks began. The counselor told her she had to pick at least 1 of the 3 tasks of her choice and she managed to get that 1 task done. Big accomplishment, yay for sis! She was also designated as the "helper" that first day (which means shit shovel girl*excuse my french*) and was having NO PART OF THAT! Truth be told I am sure it had less to do with the horses, and more to do with the job, but they relented and told her she could be "helper" on the last day of camp. HA! We'll see. She was real excited when i picked her up today. Jabbered on and on all the way home. Excited all night. 10pm wakes us (kinda) sleep walks into living room and starts crying. She doesn't want to go back to horsie camp. Why?! No answer between sobs, please don't make her go....
Day 2 - Tuesday Today was a rough morning. Tears began at 8am, had to force dress her. Cried all the way to camp. I explained to them our morning, found out later tears stopped within 5 minutes of being there - and she had a great day. Today was the day to Brush the horses - cuz horsies love to be brushed. And they met and got to know the names of all the horses. Sassy, Smokey, Bodega, and Fantasy. The kids all picked their favorites. They were also to lead them in the ring - of course sis DID NOT partake in that excercise. Baby steps. Maybe tomorrow. They did some worksheets, watched part of Black Beauty, and had an overall good day. Only option for potty break was an out-house and that was NOT GONNA HAPPEN poor girl.
Day 3 - Wednesday Today mom came with the camera. Wanted to meet her favorite horse "Bodega" and have proof of the camp. They assured me we would get pics tomorrow (last day of camp). She is far more comfortable by now. We go out and Debora the counselor puts the lead on the horse. Sis walks her a few steps and scratches her in her favorite spot and the horsie loves her. Even after we took the lead off the horse actually followed Sis around (like a puppy) and right up to the gate. It was cute. Here is some evidence of the fun.
Sis and BODEGA
Day 4 - Thursday Sadly this adventure has come to an end. SHe has a great time. When i picked her up today she had done her "doodie" as a helper just fine. She had walked and "loved on" (extra pets and scratches) her horsie friends. SHe made a huge mural with magazine pictures and journal/love notes to the horses (to her favorite of course..Bodega mostly). They gave us more pics and I was exstatic.
Now off to California - 18 hours in a car with two sibling that LOVE each other to death is OH.SO.MUCH.FUN.
