CHILDREN'S PROGRAM
meet Snoopy and Rolo, our wonderful Co-Teachers
PONY PARTNERS
Is a youth oriented horsemanship program bringing kids and ponies together in a safe and fun learning environment.
Our Program is small, personal and dedicated to providing a comprehensive horse experience. Riders learn how to groom, tack and handle ponies using safe horsemanship skills. Lessons are private and personal, allowing each student to learn and progress at their own pace with one -on-one attention from the instructor. When a student's riding and handling skills are far enough along, we offer group learning experiences in addition to the private lessons. These gatherings foster a sense of community among the students, and give them the opportunity to make friends with other horse crazy kids.
*We introduce the youngest beginning riders to our safe schoolmaster ponies, Rolo and Snoopy, for a positive and fun first horse experience. Young children's lessons last 1/2 an hour.
* Older children (seven on-up) may take standard length lessons of fourty-five minutes to an hour, not including tacking up.
*Group Lessons (PONY DAYS) are available for kids who want to ride more than their regular private lessons. See the Pony Days page for more details.
* We also have an apprenticeship program for advanced young riders who want to learn to train ponies, show ponies and learn about stable management and horse care.
* Our ponies are seasoned, trained and gentle.
Snoopy, our small pony, has decades of experience carrying children to championships in the hunter ring on both the east and west coasts. He is PRO at showing, and loves kids.
Rolo, our large pony, has been showing in recognised dressage shows while giving beginning lessons to children and adults. He is a kind and gentle soul who loves attention.
Michelle has a special love for ponies, and especially enjoys introducing children to Ponies!
The leadline program is aimed at our youngest beginners, ages four to six
Lessons are thirty minutes long which includes getting the pony ready (tacking up) and putting him away. The amount of time actually spent in the saddle ends up being about fifteen minutes which is a perfect match for the students' typically short attention spans. Whetstone Farm has a cozy barn for grooming and tacking time, and an all-weather outdoor arena for riding.
Leadline students learn how to safely groom and interact with the pony. While mounted, young riders learn balance, flexibility, and basic riding skills. Lessons begin on the leadline and progress toward a goal of independent riding.
Leadline Lesson $25
Older Children :
Older kids have longer lessons which include instruction in tacking and grooming a pony safely. When a child can groom and tack up on their own, they get more time in the saddle by arriving early enough to prepare the pony on their own (with a parents' help if needed), and being ready to mount at the start of the lesson time. Please see rate page for appropriate clothing and gear requirements.
Single riding lesson $50
Monthly package $160 (4 lessons must be used in a one month time period with the lessons being scheduled for the same time each week)
Here is Snoopy in action!
Snoopy and Eliza winning a Championship class in 2012.
Leasing a pony is available to young riders whose families want to learn what owning a pony is like, before making the big leap of purchasing one. This is an excellent way for a Parent to decide if owning a pony is going to work for them, without the commitment of ownership.