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Heels Down is a unique full-day program of equine pursuits. This program is geared to individuals with
not only a true love of horses, but the energy and commitment to sustain a full day of horse activities
and lessons both mounted and unmounted. This in-depth program is designed for campers with previous
equitation experience who are looking to take their riding to the next level. Enrollment is strictly
limited to 8 riders per 2-week session to allow for more individualized training and to ensure
accelerated progress.
Campers in the Heels Down program should have a minimum of one year experience riding and
a walk/trot proficiency.
If not at this level don't overlook the day camp! Should your camper be
interested in other activities in addition to
riding, our day camp still provides a solid found-
ation of equestrian skills and the basics of horse
care as part of the daily camp curriculum.
Check out our Day Camp information.
2 WEEK SESSIONS
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 3:15pm
Mounted Instruction (Topics include but are
not limited to) Dressage, Carriage Driving, Vaulting, Western Reining,
Gymkana Games, Show Jumping, Pace Event, Trail Riding.
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Un-Mounted Instruction (Topics include but are not limited to) Vet Science, Care & Manage-
ment, Saddle Fitting, Fitness for the Equestrian, Yoga, Water Conditioning, Clipping, Bandaging,
Horse Nutrition.
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Sessions & Requirements
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Session 1: June 23 - July 3 |
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Session 3: July 21 - August 1 |
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Session 2: July 7 - July 18 |
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Session 4: August 4 - August 15 |
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- Participant ages: 9 - 15 years.
- Recommended for children with prior riding experience.
- Parents of children who have not attended PFDC are asked to phone the
office
for prescreening interview to assure suitability for this program.
- Participants are asked to arrive daily with a small duffel bag of items
which include:
- an SEI/ASTM certified schooling helmet
- lightweight long-sleeve tee shirt
- cotton schooling pants
- appropriate riding boots
- sunscreen and bug spray
- nutritious lunch and drink
- if your child remains for Fun Club, s/he will need a bathing
suit and towel. There is an additonal charge of $15.00 per
day, per camper for Fun Club.
The director of riding must approve of any additional equipment the
participant brings for use in the program. The program supplies all
other equipment for the horses and ponies.
Tuition & Inclusions
Tuition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1450
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Daily Programs
Equitation
By reviewing your foundations of riding, our instructors will encourage you to increase your
skills and confidence. Using their wide range of backgrounds and experience they will teach
a complete balance of horse and rider using natural and artificial aids. Heels Down instructors
teach safe practices that promote direct and clear communication between horse and rider. This
is the foundation needed for competitive riding and beneficial for recreational riding. We provide
additional opportunities that are frequently not offered in regular lesson
programs. These may consist of trail rides, gymkhanas, drill teams and
games as well as topics covered in our visiting professionals program. During
the second week riders will devote time to creating a riding demonstration
which will be performed before parents, friends, etc. at the sessions
closing ceremony.
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Horsemanship
We aim to give campers the background knowledge to aid in their inter-
actions with horses. For example, campers learn about horse anatomy
and conformation to help them understand the importance of proper saddle-fitting. We also teach the basics of horse behavior to help in effective training and safe handling. Through our constant instructor supervision, campers learn how to handle different situations and behaviors on their own.
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Horse Health, Vet Science, Dentistry and Hoof Care
Campers are treated to outside visiting professionals who teach them about the medical side of
horse care. HD participants have the exclusive opportunity to watch and help the vet with
routine visits, and talk to the dentist about such topics as why horses need to have their teeth
filed. Regular visits with the farrier teach the campers the importance of correct shoeing for all
different horses and environments.
Barn Management
Campers will learn complete stable management through our hands-on approach. In the Heels
Down program, campers take care of the horses: everything from their feed, to turn-out, to
first-aid care. Campers are able to necessary work experience the everyday workings of a barn
and the needed to care for, or own horses.
Visiting Professionals
What sets the Heels Down program apart, is the opportunity to
learn from true professionals in various horse related fields.
Included in past summers have been instructions in vaulting,
horse massage, dressage, eventing and carriage driving.
Our most noted professionals have been in carriage driving
including the 2005 World Single Combined Pony Driving
Champion who has shared her knowledge for the past 3
years with our Heels Down campers. For Summer 2007 we
were honored to have Marc Johnson, the Northeast
Director for the American Driving Society and a
participant in the 1993 World Championships, teaching our Heels Down participants the technical sport of combined driving.
We are looking forward to future summers with Marc sharing his expertise with the Heels Down program. PFDC currently owns 3 driving Haflingers and uses them to teach the campers how to drive a cart and introduce them to the world of combined driving, including dressage, hazards and cones.
Yoga & Water Conditioning For The Equestrian
Often when we think of riding instructors often place the majority of their emphasis on the conditioning of the
horse, forgetting the key element, the rider. Our yoga program demonstrates to riders how to stretch and manipulate their own muscles to
improve their flexibility and balance on the horse. Additionally, our water conditioning program taught by a certified instructor and held in the heated pool, allows riders to cross-train their riding muscles in a fun and refreshing way. Not only are our riders strengthening and aerobically conditioning themselves, but it is a wonderful opportunity to be rejuvenated from the heat of the day.
Instructors
The Heels Down instructors are hired for their vast personal experience and thorough knowledge of horses, riding and training.
All of the Heels Down instructors
are licensed and insured with 80% of our instructors returning for 2008. PFDC actively recruits qualified instructors from area
professionals, competitive colleges and recommendations within the riding community. We have also worked closely with international
agencies who provide highly qualified instructors from New Zealand and Australia to teach in the U.S. during their “off-season”.
For example, in both 2004 and 2006, Hayley Fraser a nationally ranked Show Jumper who has appeared as an extra in the acclaimed movie
series Lord of the Rings, ventured from New Zealand to PFDC to become an instructor for the Heels Down program. For more details
about this program, contact the office to speak with the Director.
Starting/Training Young Horses
Born in 2005, our 3 Haflinger foals will be continuing their training into the summer of 2007. Last summer as yearlings
they worked on leading, cross-tying, and spook-proofing and in the summer of 2007 they will be starting undersaddle.
The Heels Down program will focus on training the horses for saddling, long-lining, and the more advanced sessions
will be backing and starting these young horses. Our 2005 babies are growing up so fast! See their progressive
training in our
Halfinger Baby Photo Gallery!
In 2004, 2005 and 2006 PFDC was awarded the Horse Farm of Distinction from the Massachusetts Farm Bureau.
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