Scout Badge Sessions

Click here to download registration page

Here are some answers to your questions about Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and Brownie Badges.

(We welcome Brownies,too!) We have 20 horses and use 8 horses in the arena at one time,

(every scout rides!) We use two stations working on groundwork such as

grooming, haltering, leading, tacking up and mounting. These stations rotate so that all scouts learn the required skill to earn the badge.

We are one of two stables in Contra Costa County approved by the Girl Scouts of the Northern California with a certificate on file for the required insurance coverage.

We follow the set requirements listed in the Girl Scout handbook for a Rider's Badge and cover these items in A two hour session with optional half hour snack break. Reservations are available for after school or weekends or even during the school holidays. Cost is $70 per scout.

To reserve, just call to secure your date & time and place a $250 deposit on the reservation. Your deposit is your reservation. You may pay either by credit card or a check. We accept VISA, MASTERCARD OR DISCOVER CARD.

Full payment must be received one week in advance of each session. If you add or delete one or two children from your reservation, please let us know 24 hours in advance and we will adjust the fee up or down accordingly.

A refund for cancellation of the event requires 48-hour notice. We will accept changes in dates but we do need 24 hours notice to notify our staff. We will be happy to reschedule rain dates.

First Hour Session:

Learn the principal parts of a horse and what can be done to prevent the common ailments or diseases of horses. Learn how to mount and dismount on our Mechanical Horse, Rocky, before you actually ride.

Learn grooming and how to use a brush and currycomb. Learn haltering, clipping, combing and practice safe stall and barn behavior. Explain the care and use of each part of tack. Learn how to hitch a horse with a suitable knot and the correct length of lead rope and how to lead a horse safely, mounting and dismounting.

Second Hour Session:

Mount up and ride. Scouts will learn the commands and aids. These commands include: Stop, go, back up, turn and moving away from pressure. Guide a horse with supervision from the instructor. You will direct the horse at a walk and beginning trot-- tracking around the arena rail (if qualified to do this) directing a horse to turn in both directions. They will review safe riding rules, ring manners and proper clothing to wear at the stable and while riding.

You will examine two new skills you want to learn and work with our instructor to perform them.

Dismounted instruction will include removing tack and putting away the horse.

Finally, a barn tour and assist in feeding if appropriate.

There are other things required that we will discuss such as what kind of feed do we feed our horses and what kind of treats.

Siblings are ok to attend the session at the same price based on space availability.

Signed release forms are required for each student and must be in our possession before the session begins. No child will be allowed on a horse without a signed release from its parent. To schedule your sessions and receive a release form, contact our office at (925) 933-3701.

Or you can Email us at htrails@astound.net to inquire and click here to download the Scout Registration form.

Dates are open for the 2011 season.