# Horse Riding Holiday Camps for Children: A Parent's Guide
Summer horse riding camps book up faster than most parents expect. If you're looking at options for the school holidays, the short version is: start early, check accreditation, and think carefully about whether your child is ready for residential before you commit to it.
Here's everything worth knowing before you book.
---
Day camps vs residential — which is right?
This is the first decision, and it's worth getting right rather than defaulting to whichever is easier to book.
Day camps run for one to five days and children go home each evening. They suit younger children (most accept from age five or six), those who haven't ridden before, and kids who'd find an overnight stay away from home stressful rather than exciting. The riding content is usually similar — lessons, pony care, stable management, mounted games — but the day is more compact and the social element stays within reach of parents.
Residential camps typically run Sunday evening to Friday, or similar five-night blocks. Children sleep on-site — in dormitories, bunk rooms, or occasionally tents depending on the camp. The experience is more immersive: ponies become genuinely familiar over a week, friendships form properly, and children often come home having made more progress than a term of weekly lessons would produce. Most residential camps ask for children to be at least eight, though some start at seven. Experience isn't always required — plenty take complete beginners — but check before booking.
The honest answer on which to choose: if your child has never been away from home, do a day camp first. One miserable week at a residential camp because the child wasn't ready is a lot of money and a setback to their relationship with horses. Build up to it.
---
What age can children start?
Day camps generally start from five or six, sometimes younger for very basic pony experience sessions. Residential camps tend to start at seven or eight. The upper limit is usually around sixteen, though some camps run separate groups for teenagers.
Age is only part of the picture. A seven-year-old who has never been away from home may struggle at a residential camp where a confident nine-year-old first-timer would thrive. Most camps ask for some basic information about riding experience and temperament when you book — take those questions seriously, because the answers affect which group your child gets placed in and whether they'll actually enjoy it.
---
What experience level is needed?
It varies considerably by camp, and it's worth being specific when you enquire. The options broadly split as follows:
Complete beginners are welcome at most day camps and at many residential ones. At beginner level, expect a lot of time on the lead rein and in-hand work around the yard before any independent riding.
Riders who can walk and trot independently but haven't cantered will typically go into a novice group. Canter is usually introduced during the week at most residential camps, though not always.
Established riders who already canter and jump will need a camp with enough ability range in its programme to keep them challenged. Camps run by BHS-approved training centres, or those attached to independent schools, often have more sophisticated programmes for stronger riders.
Some camps ask that children bring their own pony. This is mainly the domain of residential camps aimed at competitive riders — more expensive, more logistically complex, and usually aimed at children who already compete. If you're not in that world, filter for camps that provide ponies.
---
What happens during the day?
Most camp days follow a similar pattern. Mornings typically start with yard duties — mucking out, grooming, tacking up — before moving to a riding lesson. Afternoons cover mounted games, pony care theory, stable management, or a second riding session. Evenings at residential camps are usually games, quizzes, campfires or talent shows.
The riding itself tends to be varied rather than purely lesson-based. Good camps introduce children to different disciplines across the week — some combination of flatwork, jumping, games, and at residential camps sometimes western, vaulting or polocrosse. The goal isn't technical mastery in five days; it's broad exposure, confidence and enjoyment.
Instructor ratios matter. Ask directly: how many children per instructor during mounted sessions? Six or fewer is reasonable. Eight is manageable. More than that and the less confident riders get less attention than they need.
---
What to look for when choosing a camp
BHS or ABRS approval. Both indicate the yard has been inspected for coaching standards, welfare and safety. Most reputable camps hold one or the other. Of the 140-plus camps listed on Saddl across England, Scotland and Wales, around two-thirds hold BHS or ABRS approval. It's not a guarantee of a wonderful experience, but an unapproved camp is a higher-risk choice when you're leaving a child overnight.
Pony welfare. How many ponies does the camp run, and how many children per pony per day? Ponies working multiple sessions daily throughout a week of camps are being pushed hard. Ask how the yard manages this and whether ponies get rest days. A good camp will answer without hesitation.
Supervision and night cover. Residential camps should have staff sleeping on-site overnight. Ask specifically about this. Most reputable camps have a duty member of staff awake through the night, particularly for younger age groups.
First-time campers. If it's your child's first time away from home, ask whether the camp has a specific approach to homesickness. The best camps have seen it all before, have a settled routine that keeps children busy from early morning, and will contact you if there's a genuine problem rather than a first-night wobble.
---
How much does it cost?
Day camps typically run from £40 to £80 per day, sometimes more in London and the South East. A full week of day camp costs roughly £200 to £400.
Residential camps start from around £350 to £500 for a five-night block at smaller yards in the north or Midlands, and run to £700 to £900 or more at established centres in the South. What's usually included: accommodation, all riding sessions, pony care activities, and meals. What's sometimes not included: riding hat hire, body protector hire, and any optional extras. Always check before booking.
Most camps require a deposit to secure a place, with the balance due closer to the start date. Cancellation policies vary — read them carefully if your child's plans might change.
---
What to pack
Most camps send a full kit list on booking confirmation. The essentials:
A well-fitting riding hat to current safety standards (PAS 015 or VG1 minimum). Bring your child's own — sharing hats is poor practice for hygiene and fit. Long riding boots or short yard boots with half chaps. Wellies for yard duties. Jodhpurs for riding and older clothes that can get muddy. A body protector if your child already owns one. Sun protection and a water bottle — yard days are long and mostly outdoors.
For residential camps: bedding if not provided, towel, basic toiletries, and a small amount of spending money if there's a tuck shop.
---
Finding camps near you
Saddl lists over 140 venues across England, Scotland and Wales that offer holiday camps, searchable by county and accreditation. London has the highest concentration with 18 venues, followed by North Yorkshire with 9, Hampshire and Surrey with 6 each, and Hertfordshire, Leicestershire and Kent with 5 each.
Find holiday camps near you on Saddl and filter by county, accreditation and facilities.