Sonshine Stables - Leander

Sonshine Stables - Leander

Written by Kara Vaught Monday, 07 May 2007

Stables product of happy summertime memories

Sonshine Stables, with its horses, goats and potbelly pig, is the fulfillment of Vickie Peterson’s lifelong dream.

She loved her childhood summer camps and riding lessons, so when a rodeo-clown friend purchased five acres of pastureland, she offered to organize a children’s camp on the property.

“We had a really good turnout the first summer, so right when camp was over we bought five acres next to his to start Sonshine,” Vickie said.

After nine years in the business world, Vickie and her husband Jason decided it was time to focus on family. She quit her job at Dell, Inc. where Jason still works, and began substitute teaching while getting the stables up and running.

Now that operations are established, Vickie said she hopes to begin teaching full time.

With the help of her husband, daughters Kaitlyn and Courtney and in-laws Bruce and Jan Peterson, Sonshine Stables now offers 10 week-long camp sessions of 20 campers each, boarding for up to 10 horses and private riding lessons.

Vickie said the goal of every activity at Sonshine Stables is to create an experience that makes children feel good about themselves while learning about the outdoors and responsibility.

“It’s about getting out and seeing what life has to offer,” Jason said. “Most kids have never seen a pig and never seen a horse.”

By week’s end, campers are well acquainted with the animals. They spend each morning with the horses learning the basics of both bareback and saddle riding, grooming and care.

“As a kid, I would take riding lessons where you show up and the horse is ready and you get on,” Vickie said. “Now, being a horse owner, I know there’s much more to it. We instill responsibility, and so it’s a very big family feeling. Everybody has a job and we’re learning and having fun together.”

Children also meet Sonny, the potbelly pig who snacks on their leftover food.

BIG Momma goat and her kids, Sugar and Spice, are on hand for petting and chase.

New additions are also on the way: one horse just gave birth, and Vickie has arranged for a Sonshine rabbit family.

After animal time and lunch, groups of campers and their counselor rotate through activities including singing, arts and crafts, gymnastics, barn bowling, water balloons, kickball, face painting and ring toss.

“It’s just so nice because here you get to see the kids really in their element,” she said. “They get to be kids and have fun, but they’re learning at the same time.

Horse Boarding

Sonshine Stables offers horse owners a place to house, train and care for their animals. Facilities include a round corral, pastures, stables, wash racks and riding arenas. Horses are fed, watered, monitored for general well-being and may roam a pasture or stay in the stall, according to the owner’s preference.

Sonshine Stables, 2100 Downing Lane, 484-6769 • www.sonshinehorsestables.com