Girl Scout Horseback Riding and Badge

Programs for Brownies through Seniors $35 per girl for a 3-hour session

*Call Elizabeth Knechtel at 816-673-5254 or email at [email protected] to schedule.

Sessions will enable girls to experience horses and horseback riding with a CHA certified instructor, year-round in our beautiful indoor and outdoor arenas. At the start of each session, participants will put on helmets provided by WHEC and participate in a safety orientation of both the barn and working around horses. Upon completion, participants will be paired up with another participant to learn about/or review grooming and saddling, then work together on their assigned horse. Participants will then move to the arena for one and a half hours of leading, riding and observing riders in action, with each girl riding for approximately 45 minutes. Also at this time, the girls will be learning additional horse related information based upon their age/level of scouting.

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Information for Troop Leaders

  • Maximum of 12 girls per session, larger troops can be divided into two sessions on the same day.
  • Troop leader and parents may be asked to help with the activity.
  • The troop certified first-aider must remain with the troop during the activity.
  • Only registered Girl Scouts may take part in horseback riding.
  • Parents must sign WHEC Liability Release Form and bring the day of the session (troop leader collect all before the event).
  • Troop leader should complete Activity and Trip Application at www.girlscoutsksmo.org (for high-risk activity) two weeks prior to a session.

What to Wear/Bring

  • Long pants
  • Closed-toe shoes, preferably with a heel
  • Dress for the weather
  • Water bottle and a snack
  • Tie hair back from face in a low ponytail
  • Helmets will be provided

Areas to be covered at each age/level

All ages/levels will learn (or review) basic riding skills, including how to: lead, mount/dismount, how to make a horse go/stop/back, ride at the walk and jog.

Brownies

(basic riding skills)

  • Safety rules
  • Body parts (simple)
  • Colors
  • History of the horse/Famous horses
  • Types of tack (grooming tools, saddles, bridles)
  • Feeding Treats (snacks that are safe to feed to horses)

Juniors

(will review & build upon information learned as Brownies)

  • Body parts (detailed)
  • Face and leg markings
  • Riding Styles/Disciplines
  • Horse care (feeding and housing)
  • Feet care/Farrier
  • Health (ailments/diseases)
  • Cleaning a stall

Seniors

(will review & build upon information learned as Juniors)

  • Career Opportunities
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Fashion/Function (correct clothing for different disciplines)
  • Health (knowing normal/abnormal vital signs and how to take them)
  • Confirmation (and how it can effect function and use)