The Black Stallion, Seabiscuit, Secretariat, and National Velvet are all popular equine figures from pop culture and some from real life.
Actually in the movie National Velvet, the horse's name was The Pie and the young girl who rode the horse was named Velvet, but the name of the movie is often confused with the name of the horse.
Name nuances aside, horses remain popular characters in movies and stories thanks to their physical beauty and mostly gentle nature.
It's not surprising then that many kids are drawn to horses and some are interested in learning to ride them.
Horseback riding can be fun but it's also serious business as horses are large animals.
So learning to properly be around and care for horses is a good start for those interested in learning how to ride them.
This summer the North Shore Equestrian Centre is offering a variety of half-day camps for kids ages eight and up.
"It's learning how to be around horses, they get to do a scavenger hunt, they get to do a trail day, they get about an hour to an hour and a half of ride time every day," says office manager Allanda Carter about the camp program.
Carter, who has been riding horses since she was 14, says the thing she likes most about riding is that "it's just a relaxing way to spend a day."
Kids wanting to attend the camps do not need to have any previous experience or special riding equipment except boots with defined heel. Helmets can be borrowed from the centre.
Carter says the horses at camp are average-sized and any type of kids can learn to ride. The only requirement is that participants have to be fluent in English so that they can fully understand any safety instructions that are given.
The centre's website notes that the introductory camp is for kids who have not had lessons before even if they have gone on a trail ride before.
They will learn about safety, grooming, working around a horse, leading and saddling and bridling. According to the website, the riding lessons will include learning how to mount, correct positioning and controlling the horse in a walk and trot. And at the end of the week, participants will perform a demonstration day for parents.
In addition to the introductory camp, there are also Advanced Beginner, Novice, Advanced Novice and Intermediate camp categories.
This story originally appeared in the North Shore News special section called Summer Camps, which features local camps for kids.
