Being a rancher, how do you run your daily activities at your ranch?


Oh my gosh... it’s a never ending cycle of feeding, cleaning corrals and exercising horses. I usually wake up around 4:30am, just so I can drink enough coffee to face my morning. Feeding the seven horses here is a breeze. I have 7 different colored feed buckets for pellets and supplements. Each horse has a different color, so I don’t mix up the individual feed for each horse. (Horses vary in size from 12 hands to 16.2 hands and from 5 years to 17 years and all require something different) Af- ter feed and hay are thrown, my family gets breakfast. Then back outside. Corrals to be cleaned, waters to be filled, always a chore to be accomplished. My house on the other hand? Full of dusty boot prints, dog hair and grass hay. Grass hay everywhere, usually picking it out of my hair in line at the grocery store.


Camilla Federwisch, you’re starring in Horse Camp a television series com- ing to Amazon Prime! Filmed in Arizona, near Prescott Valley, Skull Valley, Camp Verde, and AZ. And Utah. How did this series come to you? Tell our readers about your character? Synopsis of Horse Camp for Season 1?


I first came to know the Director, Patrick Ball, last year when he auditioned me for a role in one of his other movies. I was pleased when he announced that he had written a role for me in his new comedy TV show, Horse Camp. In the TV show, I play the Ranchers Wife, Milli. Milli is a funny and lovable character, who can be a bit dramatic and over the top at times. But she is a strong woman who loves her family and her horses. Her husband in the TV show (Cow boss) owns the ranch, but everyone knows Milli is the real boss at Horse Camp...


Camilla, you started riding from the time you started walking? If a parent wants to introduce a horse to a toddler, or two year old. How would you best explain, the steps in working with a toddler with horses?


Working with toddlers is a challenge, but not impossible if you start slow in intro- ducing your child to horsemanship. Have your little ones help throw hay. Make a game together of cleaning stalls. Put them in the wheel barrow or hay wagon as you do chores. Make the responsibility of owning livestock fun.


Safety is number one. Always, supervise any age child around horses. Teach your child to move slowly around a horse. No running, no screaming in excitement. A horse may bite or strike out when startled by a tiny human. (My family learned that the hard way when my older sister at age 7, went running in to the corral of a young horse my parents had... she ran up to the horse waving.


Children should first learn to respect a horse. I would start ground up. Know how to properly lead a horse, stand to the right side and never wrap the rope around your hand. They need to know the danger zones of a horse that might kick. Basic things like how to feed a treat without losing a finger. (Flat hand, thumb tucked in)


With most children, you can teach them “what could go wrong” without instilling fear. Ground rules for children around horses could go on... but these are the most important.


Once in the saddle;


I was taught... First, how to fall. (Without actually baling off my horse) Tuck and roll, never catch yourself with your hands. Good way to break a wrist or hand. Land on the back side of your shoulder... stronger, thicker bones. (With that said, although I or my children never wore helmets I am a strong advocator of children wearing helmets... I insist on it with my grandkids...live and learn)


Second, how to stop a horse using voice and hand commands.


Third, how to rein. I like them to know both direct and neck reining. All of this should be taught in a small confined area... a large round pen is best. Or lead line. Arena work is good as children progress. But I believe they learn more when you can get them out on the trail while supervised. Where they learn balance as they climb or descend a steep hill. Where they learn to trust their horse on uneven rocky ground. To sit tight and move with your horse if they spook at something.


Matching your child to the proper horse for them is important.


Example; my two granddaughters. Arianna, at 9 is a very timid rider who needs to gain confidence. She rides Berry, a 13 year old QH that has been there done that.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32