Have you had the desire to ride in the Back Country Wilderness of New Mexico but are concerned you or your horse aren't experienced enough to really have fun? Afraid you might not know how to handle an uncalculated mishap in the Wilderness? We've got the answer....Horse Camp! Our program will allow you and your horse to experience the Back Country Wilderness in a more controlled atmosphere, before you venture out on your own.

Dragonwycke Ranch is adjacent to the Carson National Forest and provides the same terrain and obstacles. During Horse Camp you'll learn how to navigate difficult obstacles (Lava rock, steep inclines/declines, water crossings, and much more) and how to calmly handle any problems should they arise. When you and your horse are ready, the Carson is just out our back gate!

During Horse Camp you'll experience different situations that often arise while in the Wilderness, rabbits springing out from under brush, chainsaws, coyotes(or dogs) running around your horse, water obstacles, downed trees, thick brush, and of course the ever scary and often feared flying plastic bags(some people can't seem to clean up after themselves!), this is just a little of what you'll desensitize your horse to while at camp. You'll also learn what to do if your horse injures themselves on the trail and what to pack for such emergencies.

Our program usually consists of 2 days of training. Day One starts by learning some basic horse and human first aid and Wilderness survival skills. Then we'll move on to the obstacle course. You'll hand walk your horse through a series of obstacles until you and your horse are comfortable. We take our time, it's better to go slow and avoid any negative experiences. At the end of the day you'll play some Parelli games with your horse to help create a strong bond.

On Day Two you'll experience the same obstacles as Day One only you'll be mounted. The main emphasis on Day Two will be keeping your horse under control and good trail etiquette. If you feel comfortable by the afternoon we'll be ready to head out into the Carson for a short ride(2-3hrs). We're sure that you and your horse will enjoy yourselves much more after you've completed Horse Camp!

We offer campsites and the use of our facilities included in Horse Camp 101. We supply meals or you can cook your own. If you don't want to camp out you can make arrangements to stay at Taos Horse Getaways , they're just a short walk from Dragonwycke. Taos Horse Getaways offers two beautiful casitas with horse corrals and sheds. They offer a discount to our Horse Camp 101 participants, so if you're interested mention that your taking our program! Please contact us for a more detailed curriculum and pricing.

Vacations for Horses

We also offers vacations for horses, doesn't your horse deserve one too? Give your horse a break from his stall/pen environment, they can be turned out into a small herd of either mares or geldings, or turned out alone. We encourage owners to let their horses relax and commune with other horses, though if wanted, they can be kept alone. They'll have access to 125 acres of meadows, pine forests, ponds, granite boulders, and sagebrush. If your horse is sour or bored, Dragonwycke's relaxed and peaceful vacation atmosphere just might be the answer to a happier, more willing horse!

Natural Barefoot Trimming Information

We support and practice the natural barefoot trim on all our horses. We've been riding barefoot through the Carson's rocky terrain for over 4 years, our horses are sound and happy since we took off their shoes! We put many miles and hours on our horses traveling in very tough rocky terrain. Even our once tender footed Thoroughbreds go barefoot in the Malpais with no problems! If you've been considering this as an option for your horse, feel free to ask us any questions. Here are some links that will get you started:

www.barefoothorse.com This is a great place to start, Marjorie Smith's site is very informative with links to other barefoot sites.

www.hoofrehab.com Pete Ramey is a leader in the barefoot revolution..his views on navicular disease are keeping many horses sound!