Scouts
We welcome all Scouts on the horse farm!
Scouts have the opportunity to volunteer on the horse farm to gain hands-on experience and skills to help them in earning their official Horsemanship merit badge. Don't forget an apple or carrot for your favorite 4 legged friend when you come to the farm!
Girls and Boys actively enrolled in any Scouting organization, such as BSA and/or the Girl Scouts can earn their badges!
Outdoor adventure awaits! From picnicking with ponies to sleeping under the stars with the horses, we'll happily try to accommodate you.
Start Earning Your Horsemanship Merit Badge
Welcoming Scouts to the wonderful world of horses. We provide a safe, fun, learning experience for Scouts year 'round to earn their Horsemanship badge.
Our instructor is a registered BSA Merit Badge Counselor for Horsemanship. She is an enthusiastic coach who has successfully led Scouts safely through the skills, rules and horsemanship academics.
BSA & GIRL SCOUTS HORSEMANSHIP MERIT BADGE Classes
Our Scout workshops and classes follow the most current approved curriculum. BSA and Girl Scouts must learn and be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills with reasonable proficiency to earn their Horsemanship merit badge.
To earn their Horsemanship badge, Scouts will learn basic horsemanship skills, such as catching, haltering, leading, grooming and basic stable management. They will learn safety procedures, horse body language and equine health. Then, they will move on to enjoy learning to ride a horse in a safe, friendly, and enjoyable environment.
Course work includes mounted and unmounted activities including safe horse handling, parts of the horse, breeds of horses and specialty uses, equine health and wellness, lameness vs. unsoundness, conformation, proper hoof care, grooming, tack parts and equipment, proper horse handling skills, preparing to ride and finally, being comfortable and harmonious while riding a horse at both the walk and trot with specific maneuvers to be preformed.
SCOUTS Horsemanship Classes
OPEN to members of ANY Girl or Boy Scout troop. All Scouts, Daisies, Brownies and Cubs are welcome to sign up.
Vail Farm & UVMS bus directly to the farm.
Start earning your
OFFICIAL HORSEMANSHIP MERIT BADGE
BSA and Girl Scouts merit badge
SAFETY FIRST
Safety does not start in the ring; It starts at the barn door. Closed toe shoes/hard soled, heeled boots are required on the farm property. We require all riders to wear long pants. All riders are required to wear a safety helmet when mounted. We are happy to provide proper riding helmets or you may bring your own. We ask that anyone with long hair to please put their hair in a low pony tail or braid as not to interfere with the proper fit of the helmet. We invite you to pack your lunch and picnic with the ponies following your class.
Thanksgiving Special
Here's your opportunity to spend an private hour with Champion Roper, Cowboy Kent.