Even in the heat Sprucelands is doing okay.

We do our best to schedule classes where there is more shade.

You may be wondering how we are doing in the heat. I don't know what the temperatures are in your area. We have been hovering between 86-92 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity is oppressive. We keep hoping there is a break because these humid days can be draining.

Now here is the 'however'. Kids are pretty resilient. They are bopping around camp like there's no problem, and believe it or not, to date we have not canceled a riding class. Very few riders have asked not to ride. They just keep trudging on, carrying their water bottles, and drinking, drinking, drinking. Thankfully we have been blessed with cool breezes up on the hill by the barn. Those breezes have been our salvation.

Instructors are working hard to keep going in the heat.

Riders are doing everything possible to learn, learn, learn.

I'm impressed with the kids dedication. I'm equally impressed with the horses and instructors. This is brutal. Today it sounds as though we are in for a hotter day so the program will be adjusted with shorter riding blocks in the morning and a break to play with water games in the afternoon. We may offer an extended rest hour right after lunch so everyone can lay flat and feel whatever breezes bless us.

Since the weekend, Jaime Sawka has been here. It has been fun having her teach a class here and there. She brings her expertise from years of instructing and riding on college equestrian teams. The kids enjoy her spirit while those of us on staff chatter about old times and new challenges.

A good number of more advanced riders have been jumping. Our emphasis at Sprucelands is not on high jumps as much as it is on control and balance. We have had fun with a number of the horses. Some of those that came in for the summer have been 'getting into it'. Danny, for example, has discovered he really loves to jump and so he perks up his ears and takes the jumps like this new adventure is great fun.

Many of our lessons are slower in the heat. There are exercises that stimulate rider awareness of their balance while encouraging subtle communication and partnership with their horse. We have been playing games that get riders grounded in their saddle.

Stretching exercises and games like Simon Says make for an easier lesson in the heat.

The other day I watched a group have a walking competition on horseback while they rode in a side saddle position. They thought that was hysterical fun and asked to do it over and over again because it helped them with using their seat and not their legs to move their horse forward.

We are spending a great deal of time cooling off horses. Because they get heated up in a ride, riders wash their horses off and then walk them until the horse is cool. My image of  yesterday is of long walks as horses cooled down in the heat.

Cooling down time can be bonding time too.

I bid you all well as the temperatures continue to challenge us. Please know that we are being safe with your children. Everyone must have a water bottle with them to ride. There are frequent water breaks and less intense lessons. So far everyone has been fine. Cross your fingers that we see some rain in the not too distant future.

Comments always welcome, even on a dog day afternoon.