We regret to inform you that the Pony Kids Program is currently suspended – as of November 2023. We hope to be able to serve you again in the future and will update this page if there are any changes.
The Pony Kids Program is designed to introduce 5 to 7-year-olds to ponies, horsemanship, and riding in an environment of safety and fun. This all-important beginning will provide a solid and correct base for their future enjoyment and learning. It is taught in a half-hour private lesson format to accommodate each child’s individual development and learning style.
Pony Kids lessons are taught on a leadline, in the ring, on the trail, and in the fields. The program focuses on developing your child’s confidence, balance, and coordination while feeling secure in their surroundings. As goals are reached in these areas, each child will move on to more direct control of the horse via a longer line, giving space between the instructor and the child so they can practice control more directly. The lesson curriculum is tailored to each child’s individual needs. As the child gets older (must be 7 or going into 2nd grade), there is the potential to move to private lessons with one of our certified instructors. Email Katherine at [email protected] to inquire about availability and wait lists.
Our Pony Kids activities are weather-dependent. In inclement weather, lessons generally occur in our indoor arena. On the unlikely day that options are not available, lessons may be canceled. If that happens, parents are contacted on the morning of the lesson by our staff. To sign up, please use the calendar and form below. When you come for your first lesson, the instructor will meet you with the horse by the parking lot in front of the lesson barn.
ANY ADDITIONAL PROGRAM OR SCHEDULING QUESTIONS OR ISSUES, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]
PAPERWORK
All students are required to have a completed waiver on file. We ask that everyone coming to the farm fill out IN ADVANCE the electronic release–parents and guardians driving students to lessons will also need to fill that out. This can be found and filled out for everyone here: https://waredaca.com/waiver/. Prior to arrival for your first lesson, please complete the Pony Kids Registration form. Please also review the student and visitor guidelines before your first lesson. In an effort to avoid the inconvenience that missed lessons and last-minute cancellations cause, if any lesson is canceled with less than 24 hours notice, we will not be able to issue a refund.
RIDING ATTIRE AND HELMETS
We ask that students arrive wearing long pants, and shoes/boots with a flat sole and small heel. This is a safety requirement – riding in shorts can be very uncomfortable and inappropriate footwear can be dangerous. Rain boots often work well. See the following link for examples: https://www.waredaca.com/acceptable-footwear-for-riding/
If you have your own properly fitted ASTM-SEI-approved horseback riding helmet, please wear that. We provide helmets for students to wear if they do not have their own. If you arrive in another type of helmet or an ill-fitting helmet, we will ask you to wear one of ours instead. If you would like to purchase a helmet, we recommend you visit a local tack store to receive help finding a proper fit.
