A unique experience that’s more than just horse play! With animals as our guides and nature as our playground, we will experience mindfulness and explore social emotional skills. Campers will trot away empowered to navigate life’s challenges with grit and grace!
Need to know
We are pleased to offer two options for Horse Sense spring break camp 2025: March 24-26 & April 2-4. This camp is designed for ages 8+ and will take place at a private farm located at 2350 S 875 East Zionsville, IN 46077 from 9:00-noon each day.
Cost for the 3-day camp is $325; please email kathleen@stablespace.org for information on payment plans and/or scholarship fund
To ensure safety and allow ample opportunities to connect with the horses, the group size is capped at 8 participants
Prior horse experience not required!
**Horseback riding will not be offered during this camp**
The Finer Details
Activities will include: learning about horse body language and communication, learning how to care for horses, grooming horses, learning basic groundwork (leading horse at walk and trot, circling, backing, navigating obstacles), playing social-emotional learning games, nature walks, learning and practicing mindfulness skills, engaging in group discussion and journaling, nature-inspired art, spending time with other farm animals (rabbits, cats, dogs, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens).
Benefits: increased sense of self-esteem, empowerment, pride, and purpose, gaining mindfulness skills, growing connection to nature and animals, building friendships
*Please note that Horse Sense is not therapy nor intended to serve as a substitute for therapy
Meet your facilitators
MEGAN PECK - OWNER & PRACTICE MANAGER OF MINI MINDS
Megan is a business owner, leader, parent, and social worker. She brings years of experience in psychotherapy, early childhood education, neurodevelopment, and disability advocacy. She is passionate about creating access to therapy services and sharing mental health education with the whole community. Her practice, Mini Minds, prioritizes community classes and collaborations with like-minded organizations knowing together we can make an even bigger impact in the communities we serve!
Learn more at www.miniminds.org
KATHLEEN FORD - FOUNDER & PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF STABLE SPACE
Kathleen is an Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning, former school psychologist, parent, and lifelong equestrian. She believes that horses hold the wisdom to help people heal and thrive. Through community partnerships with mission-aligned organizations, access to horses and mental wellness programs grows far beyond what could be achieved alone!
FAQS
Is this a horseback riding camp?
No. The activities of this camp are exclusively unmounted. The content of Stable Space camps differ from traditional horse camps as the focus is on social-emotional learning and personal growth rather than learning riding skills. If you would like to be connected with riding instructors in the area please contact kathleen@stablespace.org
Can my child with a disability attend?
This is a case-by-case decision but we accommodate campers of as many abilities as possible! Given the limitations of this particular site, campers should be able to stand for moderate amounts of time (with or without breaks), navigate over grass, sand, and gravel, walk up 2-3 steps (with or without assistance), tolerate weather conditions given proper attire, and be able to abide by safety instructions (with reminders). Please contact Kathleen Ford at kathleen@stablespace.org or (219)718-0220 to discuss accessibility.
Does my child need to have a disability or mental health diagnosis to attend?
No, Stable Space programs are open to all children.
Does my child have to live in Indianapolis (Marion County) to participate?
While Stable Space prioritizes serving under-resourced communities within the bounds of 465, programs are open to residents from any address!
If my child already has horse experience will they get anything out of this camp?
Absolutely! We’ve gotten feedback from past participants that they loved having time to nurture their connection with horses without an agenda. Traditional riding lessons sometimes bypass instruction on equine body language and communication, groundwork, and basic care. In other cases, campers have only been exposed to a dominance-based approach to horsemanship and enjoy getting to learn gentle leadership. Horse experienced campers get to be part of an inclusive equestrian environment and take pride in helping others learn new skills. Additionally because of the small group group size, we are able to adjust activities to be more challenging as needed.
My child has attended a Stable Space camp before - will this camp be the same?
Though we follow a similar blueprint, each camp is unique. We continually cycle activities, introduce new content, and utilize new horses and farm space.
How is safety ensured?
We cannot always predict how a horse will behave, but we take many measures to mitigate risk. We have a 3:1 (camper to adult) ratio at minimum. Facilitators and volunteers have years of horse experience and are aware of signs of stress in the horses. Campers are quickly taught the safety rules of interacting with horses and the WHY behind these rules.
What should I bring?
Snacks, a water bottle, and close-toed shoes are a must! Dress for the weather, as we will be outside or in an open air barn for every activity. We recommend having a rain jacket, rain boots, sunglasses, gloves, and a hat on hand. Riding helmets will be provided. Please apply sunscreen and/or bug spray before arriving.
Email Kathleen@stablespace.org with questions.