Horse Riding Camps In Switzerland For Kids

The Young Explorers Club

Overview

We’re the Young Explorers Club; we run horse-riding camps across Switzerland. The camps teach riding, horse care and stable life in day, holiday-intensive and 1–2 week residential formats. Programs start with beginner pony sessions (ages 4–6) and progress to teen assistant roles and competition tracks. Swiss locations use compact transport links, alpine and lakeside terrain plus multilingual instruction. Small groups, mandatory helmets and first-aid policies keep participants safe. Each camp schedules 1–3 hours of mounted work daily plus horse care and theory for steady progression.

Key Takeaways

• Camp formats include day sessions and 1‑week and 2‑week residential stays, plus pony lead‑line for very young riders and advanced competition tracks for older participants.
• Switzerland’s terrain & access: the compact transport network, alpine trails and lakeside venues, together with multilingual staff (DE/FR/IT/EN), give varied, motivating riding terrain and easy access from major hubs.
• Safety & staffing: mandatory helmets, protective vests for jumping, certified instructors, first‑aid and child‑safeguarding training, and small novice groups (typically 4–8 riders).
• Program split: usually 60–70% practical riding (1–3 hours/day) and 30–40% horse care and theory, covering grooming, tack, trail riding, jumping clinics and non‑riding activities.
• Booking advice: we recommend booking early—reserve 3–6 months for peak weeks. Expect deposits of 25–50%. Compare lesson hours, staff ratios, horse welfare and transport/shuttle options before you decide.

Overview and why Switzerland is ideal for kids’ horse riding camps

We, at the Young Explorers Club, run horse riding camps where children learn riding, horse care and stable life. Programs run as day camp options, holiday intensives and residential sessions—commonly 1-week and 2-week stays—and they serve beginners through competitive riders.

Swiss geography and transport make a clear advantage. Compact links between towns let us reach mountain trails, lakeside arenas and traditional stables within 1–2 hours of major hubs. Camps frequently provide multilingual instruction (German, French, Italian and English), so international families and local children feel at ease. Alpine scenery and lake views add immediate appeal and motivate kids to ride more confidently on varied terrain.

Safety and progression guide our schedules. Daily routines combine mounted lessons, groundwork, tack care and stable chores. We keep group sizes small so instructors can correct seat, rein length and balance quickly. Camps also offer specialist days for trail riding, arena jumping or pony games for younger ones.

Camp formats and ages

• Day camp: single-day or half-day sessions ideal for beginners and families testing a horse riding camp.
• 1-week residential: concentrated skill building with daily lessons and trail rides.
• 2-week residential: deeper progression, often including overnight trail experiences and competitive prep.
• Pony sessions: ages 4–5 for short, supervised rides and introduction to stable life.
• Teen roles: ages 17–18 can join as advanced riders or junior assistants, bridging instruction and leadership.
• Skill spectrum: camps welcome ages 6–16 for standard programs, with tailored pathways for novices up to competitive riders.

Practical tips for parents and guardians

Choose a camp that matches your child’s goal—confidence, technique or competitive experience—and inspect instructor credentials. I recommend checking lesson ratios, helmet policies and emergency procedures before booking.

Pack sensible gear (bring items if not supplied):

• Riding helmet (if not supplied)
• Long trousers
• Sturdy boots
• Layered clothing for alpine weather

Expect varied terrain; ask if the camp offers mountain-trail rides or lakeside lessons. We suggest you review transportation options and arrival times since many stables sit near mountain passes. If language is a concern, pick a camp that explicitly lists multilingual staff or look for programs that advertise English instruction. For decision guidance, you can choose the best camp that fits your child’s age and ambitions.

Keep medical info and riding experience up to date on registration forms. We prioritize progressive lesson plans, horse welfare and fun—so kids leave more skilled, responsible and eager to ride again.

Types of camps, typical program structure and a sample week

Camp types and primary objectives

I run several focused formats so families can pick the right fit for their child. Below I list each camp type with its core goals.

• Pony camp (lead-line for very young children) — Build safe first-rides, boost confidence, and teach basic handling.
• Beginner riding camps — Establish a balanced seat, develop walk/trot skills, and reinforce safety rules.
• Intermediate/advanced riding camps — Introduce canter, cross-poles, and independent riding; refine seat and control.
• Show/jumping camps — Train competition technique, course practice, and ring experience under timed conditions.
• Trail/trekking camps — Teach navigation, stamina, and mountain-riding skills for varied terrain.
• Pony/horse-care camps (stable-management focus) — Cover daily welfare, feeding, grooming, and basic stable systems.
• Therapeutic/hippotherapy programs — Target physiotherapy goals, sensory and motor benefits, and adaptive riding outcomes.

I recommend matching the listed objectives to your child’s current skills and goals. If competition is the aim, choose a show/jumping or advanced track; if confidence or animal care matters more, try a pony or horse-care camp.

Typical daily components, instruction split and a sample week

A typical day blends mounted work, horse care, learning and free-time activities. Mounted lessons usually run 1–3 hours per day. Grooming and stable lessons are taught daily. Riding theory covers tack, tacking up and safety. Non-riding elements such as hiking, swimming and crafts keep kids engaged and balanced. Evenings often include quizzes, movies, campfires or awards.

Instruction allocation: I allocate instruction so riding dominates while horse care and theory remain essential. A practical guideline is 60–70% practical riding and 30–40% horse care/theory. That ratio lets riders log time in the saddle while understanding welfare and safety.

Sample 1-week schedule (illustrative balance of riding and non-riding):

1. Day 1 — Morning: arrival and mounted lesson (1.5 hrs). Midday: grooming and lunch. Afternoon: pony games and trail orientation (1 hr). Evening: camp social activity.
2. Day 2 — Morning: flatwork lesson (1.5 hrs). Midday: stable-management class covering feeding and stall routine. Afternoon: short trail ride (1 hr). Evening: barn quiz.
3. Day 3 — Morning: jumping/cavaletti clinic (1.5–2 hrs). Midday: lunch and horse-care session (bandaging, hoof-picking). Afternoon: supervised free-ride on a skills course. Evening: movie and social time.
4. Day 4 — Morning: trail/trek (1.5–2 hrs), a longer ride day for stamina and terrain work. Midday: picnic and extra grooming. Afternoon: crafts or horse-care projects (tack cleaning, simple leather repair). Evening: campfire with stories and songs.
5. Day 5 — Morning: dressage/show practice (1–2 hrs) focusing on accuracy and presentation. Midday: tack-cleaning workshop. Afternoon: mock competition or team games in the arena. Evening: awards and recognition.
6. Day 6 — Morning: combined skills lesson (1.5 hrs) reviewing weak spots. Midday: farewell grooming and tack stow. Afternoon: parent demo where kids show learned skills, then departure.

Operational tips I use at camp:

• Keep lesson groups small for faster progress.
• Rotate mounted and unmounted sessions to prevent fatigue.
• Enforce helmets and clear safety briefings every day.

For families wanting a preview of daily rhythms and expectations, see What to expect for a practical guide to arrivals, gear and parent demos.

Who the camps are for and how to choose the right one (ages, skill levels, and parent checklist)

Age groups and skill levels

We group riders by age and ability so each child gets appropriate challenges and safety. Younger riders join lead-line pony sessions for age 4–6 with a strong focus on ground manners and short mounted time. Primary children aged 6–12 move between supervised flatwork, trail rides and games; many camps recommend a minimum of age 6–8 for overnight or residential stays. Older kids aged 13–16+ can expect longer rides, more responsibility and options for weekend trekking or competition prep.

Skill-based groupings match standard progressions:

• Beginner: first-ride skills, mounting/dismounting, basic ground manners.
• Novice: walk/trot control, steering and basic balance.
• Intermediate: stable canter, cross poles and independent tack handling.
• Advanced: jumping courses, dressage work and competition preparation.

We keep small groups of 4–8 riders for young and novice levels to speed learning and improve safety. Ratios for mounted lessons may widen for intermediate and advanced riders because older kids manage more independently and sessions often split by specialization.

Parent checklist — questions to ask

Ask these core questions before you book; they guide safety and expectations.

• Instructor certification: What instructor certification do you require? Look for certified riding instructor, Swiss Equestrian Federation, FEI-affiliated or national instructor diplomas.
• Insurance / liability: What insurance / liability / accident coverage is in place?
• Helmet policy: Are helmets provided and is helmet use mandatory?
• Riding hours: How many riding hours per day? Expect 1–3 hours per day; ask for a sample daily schedule.
• Horse welfare: What are your horse welfare practices and pony vs horse ratio? Ask about turnout, rest days and tack fit.
• Staffing ratios: What is the staff:child ratio and supervision model? Confirm both mounted and unmounted ratios.
• References: Can you provide references/testimonials from past campers? Request contactable references or recent reviews.
• Cancellation policy: What is your cancellation policy and deposit level? Check refund windows and insurance options.
• Medical / first aid: What medical / first-aid arrangements are in place? Verify on-site first aid, nearest clinic and medication protocols.
• Dietary needs: Are dietary needs accommodated? Provide example menus and allergy policies.

We also advise requesting a pre-arrival assessment and a sample group roster so you know where your child will sit in the program. Confirm the minimum age for solo participation and overnight stays, and insist on seeing how small groups of 4–8 riders are scheduled if that’s important to you. For extra guidance on picking the right summer option, we suggest you choose the best camp.

Safety, staff qualifications, horse welfare and stable features

We, at the Young Explorers Club, require helmet policies for all mounted activity and expect camps to enforce them without exception. I insist on protective vests for any jumping or cross-country work, and I check for written emergency procedures and evacuation plans — especially for mountain trails and remote rides. Camps should have first-aid availability on-site and clear medical/evacuation plans for remote outings; I also confirm insurance / liability / accident coverage before booking.

I verify staff credentials and on-site skills. Ask for proof of certified riding instructors — Swiss Equestrian Federation certificates, FEI-affiliated instructors, or national riding instructor diplomas are what I look for. I also expect first aid trained staff and child safeguarding/child protection training for everyone working with kids. For therapeutic programs, I want to see a physiotherapist or accredited therapeutic riding staff on the team. Night supervision and non-riding supervisors matter too; typical norms often fall in the 1:8–1:12 range for those roles.

I use common instructor-to-child ratios as a baseline but always tell parents to confirm specifics with each camp. Mounted lesson ratios commonly range 1:6 to 1:10 for mixed-age or mixed-level groups. For younger children and lead-line or novice mounted lessons I prefer 1:4–1:6. Mentioning these numbers gives a quick sense of supervision levels, but camps vary by discipline and activity.

Horse welfare and stable features are non-negotiable in my checks. I look for an appropriate pony vs horse ratio that matches camper ages and sizes, with experienced school horses and ponies assigned to small children. Turnout/pasture time and rotation need to be visible in daily schedules. Veterinary care on-call and a regular farrier schedule are essential. I watch for clear rest protocols, limits on daily mounts, and a recorded rota to guarantee rest days.

I recommend parents read camp materials and ask for evidence when anything seems vague. I also point families to resources that explain daily expectations; for quick planning, see what kids should expect for related details.

Parent checklist before booking

Use this quick checklist when calling camps:

• Is helmet use mandatory and are helmets provided?
• Are protective vests used for jumping?
• Which instructor certificates do staff hold (for example Swiss Equestrian Federation / certified riding instructor / FEI)?
• Are staff first aid trained and do you have child safeguarding training on record?
• What are your mounted lesson ratios (1:6 to 1:10; 1:4–1:6 for novices) and night supervision ratios (1:8–1:12)?
• What is the pony vs horse ratio and do you use experienced school horses for small children?
• Is veterinary care on-call and what’s the farrier schedule?
• How much turnout/pasture time do horses get and what are rest/rotation rules?
• What are your written emergency/evacuation procedures, remote-ride plans and cancellation policy?
• How does your insurance / liability / accident coverage work and what does it include?

Cost, locations, accommodation and transport logistics

We, at the young explorers club, lay out realistic expectations for cost and travel so families can plan with confidence. I’ll keep details practical and concrete.

The Swiss regions each offer different emphases: Bernese Oberland delivers mountain-trail focus and easy access from Interlaken. Valais offers high-alpine trails and a sunnier microclimate. Graubünden (Grisons) specialises in alpine trekking and long-distance options. The Lake Geneva region (Vaud/Valais) gives mixed lake-and-country venues. Zurich and other urban/suburban stables suit day camps and weekly lessons. Ticino runs Italian-speaking programmes with a milder climate. For guidance on selecting a camp that fits your child and budget, see our short guide to the best summer camp.

Transport and arrival logistics are straightforward in most areas. Camps commonly use private car drop-offs, organised coach or shuttle service, and supervised train arrival. Many stables are explicitly train-friendly and offer supervised station pickups. The nearest airport — Zurich / Geneva / Basel / Lugano — will usually be referenced on camp pages; factor in transfer times for remote alpine venues. I recommend checking whether a camp offers a shuttle service or expects families to arrange local taxis for final legs.

Typical costs, inclusions, extras and booking practicalities

Below are compact lists you can use to compare offers quickly.

• Typical price ranges (indicative; vary by facility and season):
  • Day camp: CHF 50–150/day (budget day camp examples CHF 60–120/day).
  • Week-long day camp (full-week non-residential): CHF 300–900.
  • Residential week: CHF 700–2,000+; mid-range residential week CHF 700–1,300/week.
  • Premium trek or competition weeks: commonly CHF 1,500–2,500+/week.

• Typical inclusions you should expect:
  • Meals and accommodation for residential weeks.
  • Daily riding lessons and stable time.
  • Basic insurance and a camp T‑shirt.
  • Supervised station pickup if advertised as train-friendly.

• Typical extras to budget for:
  • Specialist lesson fees (dressage, jumping or trekking guides).
  • Helmet/boot hire and equipment rental.
  • Private lessons and competition entry fees.
  • Transport to/from camp if a shuttle service isn’t provided.

• Booking timeline, deposits and cancellation points:
  • Early booking is advised for July/August peak weeks.
  • Reserve 3–6 months ahead for popular weeks.
  • Common deposit levels run 25–50% with a detailed cancellation policy.
  • Ask camps for written terms on refunds, illness cover and replacement weeks.

I urge families to compare two or three offers side-by-side: check exact lesson hours, staff ratios and what’s counted as an extra. We handle questions and can point you toward camps that match skill level, location preference (Bernese Oberland, Valais, Graubünden, Vaud, Zurich, Ticino) and budget.

https://youtu.be/P6xxnGEblvE

Special programs, benefits, testimonials, FAQs and booking tips

Special programs and benefits

We run focused competition camps that include show-jumping and dressage clinics, competition prep and video-assisted coaching with certified FEI or national coaches. Beginners through advanced riders can progress to timed rounds and mock shows.

Our therapeutic riding and hippotherapy tracks pair specialist staff with physiotherapists to support children with sensory, motor or developmental needs; sessions integrate therapeutic goals with safe, fun riding.

Multilingual options cater to international families, with English-speaking instructors and mixed-language groups so kids improve riding skills and gain confidence communicating abroad. Riding improves balance and coordination, builds core strength and gross-motor skills, and develops responsibility and confidence through daily horse care. It also sharpens focus, problem-solving and planning as riders read lines, manage pace and choose approaches.

Children aged 5–17 should do at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily (WHO). We design daily schedules to help meet that guideline while keeping sessions age-appropriate and varied so kids stay engaged without overloading.

Short testimonials from parents and campers:

• “My son found confidence and a real connection with his pony in one week.” — Parent, Geneva.
• “Group sizes felt small and instructors were clear. He improved his trot and teamwork.” — Camper, 12.

Note: Any camp survey metrics or safety statistics must be verified with the specific camp before publishing; please request those figures directly.

FAQ essentials (concise answers)

• Q: Can my child with no prior experience attend? A: Yes — many camps accept beginners; request beginner-group placement.
• Q: Are helmets provided? A: Policies vary — ask if helmets are provided or if you must supply one; helmet use is commonly required.
• Q: What is the cancellation policy? A: Varies by camp — typical deposits are 25–50% and cancellation fees depend on timing.
• Q: What happens in bad weather? A: Most camps substitute indoor theory, vaulting, grooming or arena work.
• Q: Can parents visit? A: Many camps allow scheduled visit or demonstration days — confirm beforehand.

Booking tips and contact checklist

Use this checklist when enquiring and booking a camp, and remember to reserve summer camp selections early.

• Book early for July/August peak weeks; reserve 3–6 months ahead.
• Typical deposit: 25–50% deposit; confirm payment timeline and refund rules.
• Request an information pack, photos/videos and recent references.
• Compare at least 2–3 camps on instructor qualifications, group sizes and horse welfare.
• Verify safety checklist items: instructor certification, first-aid training, insurance, on-call vet and helmet policy.

Short sample email (copy/paste)

“Hello — I am interested in booking a week for my child (name, age, riding level). Please send your full information pack including instructor qualifications, daily schedule, typical group sizes, horse welfare practices, insurance/cancellation policy, nearest meeting point/transport options and references. Are helmets provided? What medical/first-aid arrangements do you have? What deposit is required and payment timeline? Thank you.”

Key questions to ask by phone or email:

1. What instructor certification and safeguarding checks are in place?
2. Are staff first aid trained?
3. Are helmets provided and is use mandatory?
4. What are riding hours per day (estimate 1–3 hours)?
5. How are groups organised by age/ability?
6. What are typical group sizes (e.g., 4–8 riders)?
7. What is the pony vs horse ratio and mount-rest policy?
8. Is veterinary care on-call and what is the farrier schedule?
9. What insurance/liability/accident coverage do you hold?
10. What is your cancellation policy and deposit amount?
11. Do you offer shuttle service or supervised train arrivals?
12. Can you provide references/testimonials and recent photo/video?

Sources

Switzerland Tourism – Riding in Switzerland

Pferdesport Schweiz – Offizielle Website (Swiss Equestrian Federation)

FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale

World Health Organization – Physical activity

Swiss Federal Statistical Office – Sports and recreation statistics

Jungfrau Region – Riding & Equestrian (Tourism)

Valais / Wallis – Official tourism site

Graubünden – Outdoor & riding activities

Pro Juventute – Child protection and leisure (English)

Suva – Swiss National Accident Insurance Fund