We focus intensely on safety at all levels. All students are  required to wear helmets.

Lessons are $35

Beginners: students groom and tack their horses. We start with the classical riding position, developing a good seat and leg. Students work on the lunge line to develop a feel for the movement and a safe seat. Next comes ring work to develop quiet hands and light giving contact.
Students learn to achieve a partnership with horses based on trust, confidence and communication. They will also learn about horses emotional issues, such as fear and trust. This knowledge will enhance the student's horsemanship skills throughout their life.
Intermediate and advanced lessons: At these levels students work on classical dressage , jumping and advanced trail riding.
We offer lessons in the Parelli Natural Horsemanship 7 games at level 1 where students learn to communicate with their horses on the ground.

Curriculum

Beginner

• The proper way to approach a stabled horse.
• How to groom and tack up, including picking up and cleaning hooves.
• The correct way to lead a horse.
• Mounting and dismounting techniques.
• Riding a figure 8.
• Mucking out a stall.
• Haltering and un-haltering.
• How to properly turn out a horse.
• How to disassemble, clean, and reassemble a saddle and bridle.
• First aid for minor horse cuts.
• How to give and accept leg up.
   

Intermediate

• Riding a serpentine.
• Posting on the correct diagonal and cantering on the correct lead.
• Riding safely on the trail.
• Posting to the trot without stirrups.
• Bending and counter bending.
• Jumping cavallettis
• The initial treatment for colic.
• Fitting a bridle and saddle.
• Treatment for thrush & treatment for abscesses.
    

Advanced

• Lounging & ground working a horse.
• Turning on the haunches.
• Simple lead changes.
• Turning on the forehand.
• Introductory level- dressage test one and two.
• Riding a two foot course of fences.
• Flying lead changes.

 Horse camp

Kids learn to handle and care for their horses safely, grooming and tacking up the horse is taught 20 minutes prior to lessons.
Horseback riding includes one 40 minute riding lesson. They will have the experience of turning out the horses and bringing them in from turn out.

They will also take part in the evening feedings and stall maintenance.
They will bathe the horses, perform health inspections and learn about medications used to maintain the health of the horses.
Students also learn to clean and care for horse equipment.

One day camp (bring lunch) $50

Seven days camp vacation (included meals) $350

Siblings pay only $300

Scheduled dates for 2010
January 3-9, 10-16, 17-23, 24-30
February 1-7, 8-14, 15-21, 22-28

Farm camp

Experience life on a working farm. We have lots of fun taking care of the more than 100 animals here on the farm.
Located only an hour outside of San José in Puriscal.
Plant a seed and watch it start to grow, see what it is like to milk a goat, feed the chickens and collect their eggs, hold a duckling, feed a baby goat from a bottle, ride a horse, even see a brand new chick hatch out of its egg. You will do all this and more at the farm this summer.
The farm activities are only part of what we have to offer.


Explore your creativity in our ceramics/art studio. Part of each day is spent with guided art activities using a variety of mediums from clay to paints. Quiet hands and light giving contact.
Swim in the nearby stream. On hot afternoons enjoy chaperoned trips to cool off in the stream near the farm.
Sing your favorite songs. Steven plays all your favorites on the guitar.
Evening bonfire. The perfect time for roasting marshmallows and tell stories.
Create a theater piece. Play theater games and create a presentation for your parents on pick up day.