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Hands On Learning

Last UpdatedJanuary 31, 2025

We offer a variety of hands on learning options for individuals and small groups to learn more about the animals, products and processes we work and play with everyday.

Hands-on-learning sessions are customized to meet requests, based on age, skills wish-list and time available by visitor for one or multiple visits as their skills grow.

Discounts are available for those wishing to embark on regular weekly/monthly sessions to increase their skills & knowledge. Contact us to create your custom package.

Contact Us for your Customized Session Pay online for Confirmed or Flexible Date

Animals

For individuals and small groups who are interested in learning more about the care of animals, new skills in working together with animals for work or pleasure, we offer hands on learning sessions with our alpacas, horses and ponies.

Pricing:

Sessions with our animals are priced on a $50 per animal, per hour, basis, with 1-3 guests per animal (varies by age and interests).

Alpaca and pony time include learning more about the animals, care, grooming and working with the animals on halter/lead ropes in the ring or obstacle course.

Time with horses include grooming, care, halter and lead rope time in the ring OR scheduling horseback riding time in the safety of the riding pen with hands on care from our staff for children and beginners.

Alpacas

Quality time with our alpacas can include:

  • History
  • Breeding, Raising
  • Health & Nutrition
  • Care and Grooming
  • Halter & Leading
  • Obstacle Course
  • Alpaca Costume Contest skills and prep
  • Show Ring skills
  • Simply spend time, pose for photos with our alpacas

We provide basic alpaca information & interaction on our Interactive Tours.

Photo Gallery of Alpaca Experiences

alpaca ssteps pretty as if in the show ring while ffa students demonstrate interacting with alpacas on a lead

Our alpacas step pretty in lead pen, next to FFA students, as if they are in the show ring. Photo courtesy of Fox21 News.

young girl interacts with one of our friendly alpacas

No need to worry – we’re soft!

young man and toddler sit near a resting alpaca in paddock
Warm day in November 2021
christiann helps children interact with alpacas on a lead roap
2022 Stock Show Meet and Greet
alpaca ssteps pretty as if in the show ring while ffa students demonstrate interacting with alpacas on a lead
young girl interacts with one of our friendly alpacas
young man and toddler sit near a resting alpaca in paddock
christiann helps children interact with alpacas on a lead roap

Horses

Quality time with our horses can include:

  • Health & Nutrition Information
  • Care and Grooming
  • Halter & Leading
  • Special needs of rescued & aging horses
  • Tacking & Riding
    • Horseback Riding is $75/animal, due to longer session time.

We also provide basic horse interactions during Interactive Tours.

Photo Gallery of Horse Experiences

Mouse the horse relaxing under the hands of woman and girl while they brush him.
Mouse relaxes while learning hands give him a ‘spa’ day of his own!
horses maverick and mouse give children rides after their grooming time.
After grooming, learning tack and saddling, children take a ride around the pen.
Maverick alert, but relaxed while receiving the touch of loving hands along his spine
Horses enjoy back rubs too!
Krista brushes horse while interviewing Chris
Mouse leans, adjusts, to let Krista know where to brush next, all while she interviews Chris. Photo courtesy Fox21 News
Mouse the horse relaxing under the hands of woman and girl while they brush him.
horses maverick and mouse give children rides after their grooming time.
Maverick alert, but relaxed while receiving the touch of loving hands along his spine
Krista brushes horse while interviewing Chris

Ponies

Quality time with our ponies can include:

  • Health & Nutrition Information
  • Care and Grooming
  • Halter & Leading
  • Special needs of rescued & aging ponies

We provide basic pony interactions during Interactive Tours.

Photo Gallery of Pony Experiences

spirit the black pony stands at fence line while children gather to rub his nose or pet his neck.
Spirit always ready and willing for pet or attention when our group tours arrive at the ranch
Spirit the pony
Spirit is more a fan of pets than photos of her…
Napoleon the horse in late Summer
Napoleon gazing and grazing land recovering from drought years
ponies move towards fence line visitors walking towards
Spirit and Napoleon
ponies gather for some loves and pets from our visitors
Personable Ponies
spirit the black pony stands at fence line while children gather to rub his nose or pet his neck.
Spirit the pony
Napoleon the horse in late Summer
ponies move towards fence line visitors walking towards
ponies gather for some loves and pets from our visitors

Fiber Processing Studio

Quality time in our Fiber Processing Studio, can include:

  • Fiber to Fabric steps/lessons, including:
    • Skirting
    • Sorting & Grading
    • Picking & Clouding
    • Carding
  • Felting
  • Hand Spinning
  • … and more!

We do provide basic fiber interactions during our Interactive Tours.

Hands-On sessions provide the opportunity for our visitors to spend more time in learning the steps from shearing to fibers ready for use in arts, crafts, clothing and household needs.

Photo Gallery of Fleece to Fiber Experiences

Hand Spinning bobbin
Hand Spinning
example of a wood clouding and picking machine
Clouding
example of wooden manual carding machine
Carding
example of roving
Roving
Sorting and Grading fibers for use while fleece on kirting table
Grading & Sorting
example of fleece on the skirting table
Skirting
Alpaca Fiber Color Chart
Color Chart Image Courtesy of New England Alpaca Fiber Pool Inc. (NEAFP)
Hand Spinning bobbin
example of a wood clouding and picking machine
example of wooden manual carding machine
example of roving
Sorting and Grading fibers for use while fleece on kirting table
example of fleece on the skirting table
Alpaca Fiber Color Chart
Take a tour, schedule hands on learning with us, with plenty of time to relax in our wide open spaces, attend local events and explore nearby attractions for a day of fun and beauty.
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11494 N Calhan Hwy
Calhan, CO 80808

719.339.5229

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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Plan Your Experience
  • Stay
    • Glamping with a View
    • RV Campsites
  • Hands On Learning
    • Animals
    • Fiber to Fabric
    • Shearing Day
  • Shop Online
    • Ranch Tours & Experiences
    • Stay at Ranch
    • Gift Cards
    • Alpaca Socks
  • Fiber Farm Stand
  • Contact Us
  • Ranch News
    • Past Shows and Events
  • Meet the Animals
    • Alpacas
    • Angora Goats
    • Cats & Kittens
    • Chickens, Turkeys and Chicken Bus
    • Dorper Sheep
    • Horses and Ponies
    • Livestock Guardian Dogs
  • Nearby Attractions
  • Relax, Grow & Heal
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