Serving All Abilities

We are proud to offer riding and driving lessons to people of all ages (3 years and older), with and without disabilities. Our experienced staff can teach skills in  therapeutic riding, natural horsemanship and driving to students from beginner through advanced levels. Click here for a General Brochure.

 

General Information

· For the safety of all participants we operate under NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) standards.

· All participants entering our facility are required to adhere to our BTRC Guidelines ( rules and regulations).

· For the protection of our horses we have a 200-pound rider weight limit and recommend the driving classes as an option for those who exceed our maximum.

· Riding students have the option of private, semi-private, or in a group* (*at the discretion of the instructor).

· Driving lessons are typically offered as private lessons only. Please contact our office for enrollment details.

· Horses brought into our facility must have proof of annual vaccinations and a negative Coggins test.

· All participants enrolling in our regular lessons must click and complete a Rider Registration packet.

· Students with disabilities are required to have a physician’s authorization to participate in our program..

Program Services

Class Information by Type

 

Therapeutic Riding (TR) — TR riding is beneficial for those with disabilities and in some cases, for rehabilitation. It is a unique and enjoyable way to improve muscle tone and balance and to develop confidence and a sense of responsibility. Students' needs are assessed before they are scheduled into classes. Instructors write lesson plans based on an initial assessment and update them as the student progresses. Class material is tailored to each student according to the severity of the disability, personal needs, and cognitive level. For example, some students with

disabilities may simply benefit from the horse's movement, while others may gain motor and cognitive benefit by doing steering exercises, games, and asked to verbalize sounds or words. Class time may include games on horse back, simple steering, verbal exercises, and muscle-stretching exercises. Students ride in the safety of an indoor arena (heated in the winter) as well as enjoy time on the wooded trails in the summer months.

 

Independent  Lessons — "Independent" refers to the student's ability to handle the horse with minimal or no help from a class assistant.  All independent students are placed into classes with students at the same level. Students are assigned assistants while riding, based on their confidence level and riding abilities.

 

Beginner Level – All of our students learn more about horses than just riding.

Our staff are proud to be students of the Parelli Natural Horsemanship program, and enjoy sharing what they’ve learned with their students.  For anyone at the beginning level, this is an opportunity to get started in a safe manner while gaining  true knowledge. For those wishing to renew their skills from years gone by, this is a wonderful place to start! Students will learn about horse psychology and  what it takes to communicate effectively with the horse, through natural horsemanship. The process is extremely fascinating and great for building confidence.

 

Intermediate Level – Students showing advancement from the beginner stage is considered intermediate. They are able to get fair control of their horse on the ground and while in the saddle, with little or no assistance are considered to be at the

intermediate level. Students at the intermediate level will continue in their learning about natural horsemanship and will advance into more information about riding. The lesson plan for intermediate students may include exercises to improve rider position, executing patterns, and advancing in riding at the trot and /or canter.

 

Advanced Level – Students demonstrates an understanding and improved skills of the natural horsemanship methods, both on the ground and while in the saddle. Class material will include continued advancement in natural horsemanship skills, both on the ground and in the saddle.