Day camp or residential
Day camps, where you drop off and collect each day, suit younger children and first-timers. Residential camps, where children stay over, are usually for older, more confident riders and are as much about independence and friendship as the riding. Start with a day camp if you are not sure.
Age and ability
Check the age range, and that the camp is pitched at your child's level. Some are aimed at complete beginners, others assume children can already walk, trot and steer. A good camp handles mixed ability well, with small groups and a sensible staff-to-child ratio, so ask how many children are in a group and how they are supervised.
Accreditation and safety
Look for BHS or ABRS approval, qualified instructors, first aid cover on site, hats provided, and clear safeguarding. For a week spent largely in someone else's care, these are the things worth confirming before you book.
What a day actually involves
A good camp is not riding all day. Expect a mix of mounted lessons and unmounted activities such as grooming, stable management, tack cleaning and pony care, with games and a lunch break in between. Children come away having learned to look after a pony, not just sit on one. Check what to bring, whether lunch is included, and the daily start and finish times.
Cost and booking
Prices vary by length, location and whether it is residential. Summer camps book up early, so reserve in good time, and check the deposit and cancellation terms before you commit.
Finding one near you
Use Saddl's holiday camp finder to filter by school holiday, your children's ages and postcode. Many yards run camps but have not loaded specific dates; where that is the case you can enquire with the yard directly and they will come back with what is on. Browse family-friendly riding to start.