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Horse sense
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Thursday, July 3, 2008 10:39 AM EDT
Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak Farm hand Zack Mills, left, and Chelsea Sherman’s brother Russ Sherman Jr. watch as campers at Circle S Horse Camp in Laingsburg work on handling their horses in a corral.
Argus-Press Staff Writer
LAINGSBURG - When Chelsea Sherman was in high school, she didn't always want to run with the crowd.
Sherman, 18, graduated from Perry High School in 2007 and said she really wanted to avoid drugs and alcohol while in school.
She didn't have to look very far for an alternate activity. Her father Rusty Sherman had taught her everything she knew about horses and her older sister exhibited her horse at local fairs.
“It's always been something we can do together as a family,” Chelsea Sherman said. “It's one of those things that not a lot of families do because the horse business has pretty much gone out. That's one of the things we're trying to keep alive.”
And she's got some help from some youngsters too.
Chelsea Sherman - with a hand from her dad, brother Russ Sherman Jr. and Zack Mills - run Circle S Horse Camp in Laingsburg.
The four-day horse camps target and teach kids 6 to 18 and teaches them about the responsibilities of ranch life.
“I just want them to be able to get on the horse and enjoy themselves,” Chelsea Sherman said. “These kids fall in love (with horses). I can't hardly get them away from the horses.”
But it's not all about horseback riding.
The campers learn about the different parts of a saddle, how to saddle a horse, how to use different grooming tools, how to grain and water a horse and other skills associated with living on a farm.
“It gives them responsibility,” Chelsea Sherman said. “Monday morning they have to do chores with me.”
Campers get on their horses in pens the first day while instructors watch closely. Instruction includes learning how to stop and turn.
After learning the basics, campers go out on guided rides across the ranch's 32 acres. Participants learn to ride in a straight line and how they're always in control of the horse.
“That's the name of my game - to teach these kids about country living,” said Rusty Sherman, 55. “It gives them a chance to see what it used to be like.”
And he knows a thing or two about horses. He helped build Sundance Riding Stables in Grand Ledge.
Two years ago Rusty and Chelsea Sherman started a similar camp at Sundance.
But driving out there got old because the Shermans had their own ranch in Laingsburg.
Amy and Jeff Slee live just down the road from Circle S Horse Camp and enrolled their daughters Macie and Logan in the camp.
“They learn so many things here,” Jeff Slee said. “Just to get them out of the house for a week is good.”
There also are other animals kids get to see, such as miniature cows, bunnies and ponies.
The final night of the camp, the participant's family can come out for a cookout, bonfire and hayrides around the ranch.
Visit CircleSHorseCamp.bravehost.com for more information. The camp costs $200 and includes a camp T-shirt. Individuals can ride for $50 per day. Call (517) 202-5050 for more information.
- Contact Dominic Adams at 725-5136 extension 239 or by e-mail at dadamsarguspress@gmail.com.
