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Pony camps
for children at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails are a home away from home equine
experience. An opportunity for your child to have an outdoor, hands
on equestrian experience and learn how to ride and get comfortable
on and around a pony & horse. On camp the kids are taught on ponies
and horses that are completely safe and a pleasure to ride, bombproof.
Riding lessons take place in an arena or school but the kids also
get the experience of riding on the beach, in the sea, waves and lagoon.
They are taught all the different paces, how to trot and canter in
a fun environment on patient trained horses. As the children become
more competent with their equine skills we introduce riding games
and jumping, On the ground we teach how to care for a horse and pony,
basic stable management, grooming, feeding, tacking up and basic medical
treatments.
This equine adventure holiday offers a children’s riding
camp experience of learning to ride and how to control a horse
correctly. Based at Mkulu Kei horse stud, Morgan Bay, Eastern
Cape not far from East London, but past Cintsa. Horses we have
at Mkulu Kei are used to a wide range of riders and we are used
to teaching beginners and more experienced riders daily. A memorable
pony camp along the Eastern Cape Wild Coast of South Africa.
For your ”learn to ride” kids equine vacation destination
or children’s pony camps.
A combination of equine riding, having fun and learning about
horses at a stud farm in a family environment Our pony camp
offers a relaxed instruction in a safe disciplined riding establishment.
Learning to ride a horse is an excellent way to boost your child’s
confidence. We aim to teach not just how to ride, but also how
to communicate with horses, start to understand
equus, horse behaviors enabling your child to get more out of their
riding. The instruction is not really aimed at children already going
to shows but more an introduction level or fun hosey holiday. The
children who can ride will have the opportunity to show their friends
how to ride on more forward moving ponies and become our pony camp
leaders. No child will be allowed to ride without an instructor watching
over them.
"A real ride to many places at any paces"
There are so many pony camps, holidays and vacations, why choose
us? Read on and find out.
The pony camp is aimed at children between the ages of 10 years and
16 years from all walks of life, from town or farming communities,
for those who can and can’t ride. We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails
would like to pass on our skills and love for ponies and horses to
children. Arrive on Monday with little or no equestrian experience;
depart on Sunday afternoon feeling confident in the saddle and on
the ground around horses.
So few boys learn to ride in a formal environment, they normally get
their first experience at someone’s farm with little or no instructing
often on horses that are not really suitable. Unfortunately this experience
usually puts them off riding for life.
Give your boys a gift of understanding horse and the basics of riding,
At some stage of their lives they will have the opportunity to ride
and will be scared. Families come on holiday to Morgan Bay I try to
encourage the families to ride together. It means so much to the daughters
to ride with their dads. A day does not go past when I do not hear
“ I don’t do horses” or “I only ride on something
with brakes and a clutch”. Once the basics are learnt they will
never forget them and will be grateful that they have the skills to
be comfortable. There are so many equestrian sports that the males
could be doing and yet the attendance is poor for men. Endurance,
polo, polo cross, gymkhana, and mounted games are all sports that
are well attended by men, you do not just need to attend shows. If
nothing else just being able to ride on holiday comfortably in its
self makes learning to ride well worth it.
The basics of the course are from the “British Pony Club”
a world-renowned organization. Both Cheryl and Don were Pony Club
trained and they have many good memories of Pony Club rallies. We
aim to give the children the opportunity to learn how to ride and
care for horses and ponies safely. Teaching them riding skills, basic
stable management in addition to grooming, feeding and basic medical
treatment. Both on out rides to the beach and arena work, so they
can learn to really control their ponies. We introduce the children
to polo cross, mounted games, gymkhana and jumping so the children
are not just nose to tail trained, they have a good grounding.
We have always opened our home to a limited number of our young
riding clients over the school holidays. Now we are ready to take
groups of 8 children at a time. So book your bed!
A project to teach equine skills to children during the school holidays
or larger groups on school outings during the school term.
What is your child doing during the next holiday?
Are your children bored during the school holidays? Get them out
the shopping malls and away from the TV. Send them to us. Here is
an opportunity for them to learn to ride, become comfortable near
and on top of a pony or horse. Eat, sleep, and learn in an informal
family environment. They might even be lucky to see a foal being
born, and they certainly will get the chance to handle the foals
and young horses.
Are you looking for a class outing during term? We can accommodate
larger groups and can help you with a class ride out of season. If you are a teacher or school and looking for a class
outing, contact us we can accommodate the whole class in a camping
experience.
Ever thought you would like to canter your horse along
a beach, or play in the waves?
Most images have been thumb-nailed - click on the image to see
a larger photo.
See You in the saddle soon!
And what better to experience nature than on the back of a
horse…
Suits never ridden before, beginners, intermediate and advanced riders.
All horses and ponies are trained for a wide range of riding abilities
and the horses and ponies are tame, patient and schoolmasters. A
riding experienced aimed at the children on a home away from home
experience.
Children can be fetched from East London airport.
I cannot imagine life without my horses, I watch
my own children interrelate with their ponies, they have grown
up learning to care, love, and respect horses which I believe
encourages them to be better people, better equipped to understand
the needs of others. I have watched my riding client's faces
as they take their first ride and conquer the idea of controlling
both their fears on an animal so huge. The faces say it all,
I have witnessed clients riding ability and confidence improve
and I can understand just how much fun they are having.
As a qualified tour guide and qualified riding instructor
I want to share my knowledge in a fun, “eat, sleep”
horse environment. Our instruction is based on “British
Pony club” principles - Safety, Safety, Safety.
There is a sense of freedom; power and confidence when working with
horses, We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails would like to pass on our love
for ponies and horses to children, and want to imprint the “British
Pony Club” safety rules, on your child making riding safe. Learn
how to tack up, groom, feed, how to care for a pony and basic medical
treatment. Learn the parts of the horse, saddle and bridle. How the
bit works and why some bits are kinder than others, colours of horses
and the different breeds of horses. But more than that we would like
the children to learn the language of horses. Horses in a herd situation
communicate using body language, horses in a solitary stable condition
know the language, but not many use it. By us explaining to the children
how they can speak to their own ponies a new bond and respect between
them occurs. We can help you approach and work with the horses on
a different level.
We believe this programme is fun and gives the children a valuable
new skill and a chance for youth and teenagers to work with horses
of all ages and will improve their riding skills in a safe, fun
environment on a working equine stud farm.
I am very strict; my rules are
not to be challenged. I am responsible not only for you and
the horses on this ride but to future rides on the Morgan
Bay beach. On the beach ride, we ride one behind the other
in Indian file, no racing. Horses are competitive by nature
and if given the chance would love to race. On the Morgan
Bay beach it never happens so the horses don’t ask.
We believe that by giving the children a chance to learn
to ride, and be responsible not just for themselves but for
an animal and those around them, they will develop confidence
and become leaders.
Situated on the Mkulu Kei Horse Trail stud farm, Bay view,
a beautiful farm consisting of rolling hills, dams, streams
and the home to 70 +- horses ranging from newborn foals through
to stallions. There is always the possibility of the children
witnessing the birth of a foal.
The children are given the opportunity to run, play, and climb
trees, in a safe environment.
Accommodation:
Is a bedroom in our home with attached ablutions and consisting
of big steel bunk beds with comfortable high-density mattresses.
We have a large braai area with open pit fireplace, pizza oven,
and social area. This area is used for dining, lessons and socializing,
music, horse videos and telling really good ghost stories and
eating braaied marshmallows.
Meals are good healthy home cooking and although
we try to accommodate to a point, we can’t prepare a different
meal just because Ann does not eat peas and Johnny won’t
eat carrots. Please inform us of your diet requirements.
If your child has allergies make sure I am aware and that they
have the medications they require.
Come
Ride with Us...
Rates on request.
Includes at least one guide/instructor, horse and equipment, accommodation,
meals, and refreshments. But excludes transport and transfer fees
to Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, a shuttle can be arranged.
All parents or guardians are required to sign a standard indemnity
form on arrival, children that are to be collected at the airport,
must bring their signed indemnity form.
Any child who continues to break our Pony camp rules will be
sent home with no refund.
We reserve the right to judge the attitude of and to dismount
any horse rider, who in the guide's opinion is unwilling to control
their horse, or who in any way poses a threat to the safety of
themselves, other riders or horses. Holding your mount back and
galloping into the back of a ride will not be tolerated.
I must have medical aid details and am aware of any medical
problems.
See you in the saddle soon!
It is our experience that clients that
have not had formal training are inclined to play up their
riding ability while those that really can ride often
say they have only had a few rides. We need to allocate
you the correct horse for you to enjoy your ride. If you
are nervous or had a bad experience please say so.
And never be embarrassed if you take a tumble/fall that’s
how we learn. Very seldom do you actually hurt yourself,
the fear of falling is way worse. Bake a chocolate cake
and celebrate! You can’t call yourself a rider until
you have taken 7 fall/tumbles, 36 for a good rider. We
still fall off! Relax and don’t put your hands out
to try to break your fall. Get back on!
Assessing your riding ability
Use the following criteria to judge your child's riding level.
(It is important that you are honest, as this affects your
child's safety and the other riders within the group.)
Can't ride: Has never been on a horse,
or as been on a horse a few times (years ago) and has some
kind of idea of how to stay on.
Novice: Ridden a few times recently,
but still not rising at the trot.
Intermediate: Rides regularly, can rise
at the trot, canter, gallop, and can handle a horse in most
situations. These riders are divided into prefer a 'calm'
or a 'hot' horse.
Experienced: Has been riding for many
years has had formal training, has his or her own horse/pony,
and can handle any horse in any situation. These riders
are divided into prefer a 'calm' or a 'hot' horse.
It is extremely important that you are honest about your REAL riding
ability. The most novice rider sets the pace for safety reasons both
for the rider and the horse.
A horse or pony will be allocated to your child based on your description
of their riding level! They will experience different ponies and horses
during their stay, as each personality will teach them something different.
Having the ability to stay on the horse by hanging onto his
mouth and bouncing on his kidneys is not an experienced rider!
We keep a variety of horses and ponies. Friesians,
Boerperd, Nooitgedachts, part breeds and Arabs to compliment
your preferences and riding ability. The size of our horses
and ponies vary from 12 to 17 hands and they are fit and in
good condition. We use the mares more for the arena work,
using the voice controlled gelding on the beach out rides.
They all have even temperaments and are forward moving.
We ride with English style saddles and snaffles and our tack
is kept in excellent condition. We have designed a saddle
for new riders. Slightly higher in front so you balance on
the saddle, not the horse’s mouth. Higher at the back
to help you sit in the saddle correctly so your weight is
in the correct place in the saddle making it more comfortable
for the horses back and we have shortened the flap on the
tiny saddles so that our small riders are kicking the horse
and not the saddle.
To best match the correct horse for your riding ability and
to give you the best riding holiday eco-adventure, we spend
time describing each horse's personality before allocating
your horse.
Please, we cannot be responsible for valuable items, each
child must be responsible for their own cell phone but we
discourage your child bringing large amounts of cash, Ipods
etc.
They will get a chance to go to the shop but we ask you to limit
the sweets. 8 giggling, bouncing kids on a sugar high every
night becomes too much. We do have a “midnight feast”
on the last night, so save the sweets for then.
You could be here on your coastal horse riding vacation and pony camp.
Those on our riding working gap volunteering program can really make
an impact on the pony camp children while having lots of fun.
This unique safari horse trail in South Africa offers a total riding
holiday experience. A memorable horseback eco-adventure along the,
Eastern Cape, Wild Coast, South Africa. For your African horse trekking
eco adventure, equestrian volunteer working gap vacation destination
or children’s pony camps.
The sound of the horse's hoofs on the sand or splash of the
water will live with you forever.
A Horse Ride Through Sub-Tropical Coastal Hills and Riverines to the
Beaches of the Wild Coast in South Africa, a horseback-riding holiday,
with so much more.
Come Ride
with Us ...
…and
you will see rolling hills, rich Savannah grasslands and thick-forested
valleys with multitudes of rivulets cascading down to rivers that
eventually spill out onto quiet sandy beaches, fantastic high rise
cliffs and spectacular rock formations that make the Wild Coast
in South Africa one of the most beautiful places in the world. An
incredible combination of cross-country horse riding and the exploration
of our beautiful coastline.
We at Mkulu Kei Horse Trails, the two and the four legged would like
to say a big Thank you to all our guests for sending us their riding
photos, these are your memories.
Thank You.
Cheryl
P O Box 25, Haga Haga 5272,
Eastern Cape, South Africa.
During the day please contact me on the cell, I am
probably horsing around.
Signal can be irregular, please leave a message or phone
me on the landline in the evenings.
Come
Ride with Us...
Come Ride with Us...
