GLAD Farms is pleased to offer lessons for children and adults from May through November. Early spring and winter lessons are held as weather permits. We have a very active lesson program and have had students ranging in age from 6 to 59!
Grace, Balance, and Sensitivity
GLAD Farms incorporates horses as partners to teach competent riding skills for all riding styles. We strive to build healthy, supportive relationships between humans and horses in order to strengthen the bond between them. It’s about metaphorical learning, using activities with horses - on the ground or in the saddle. Our goal is to promote awareness, to teach communication, trust, responsibility, accountability, partnership, and empathy. Within the philosophy of our riding program, the outward expression of these principles is a responsible, considerate equestrian who rides with grace, balance, and sensitivity.
Our program requires a minimum of one lesson per week. Lesson fees are pre-paid monthly and are non-refundable. If you miss a lesson it’s your responsibility to arrange for a make up lesson with your instructor. Checks are due at the first lesson of every month, for that month, and should be payable to GLAD Farms. This monthly check amount should be the amount of the lesson multiplied by the number of lessons you will be taking that month.
Riding lessons include the use of the barn, grooming tools, riding arena, trails and round pen (plus a lesson horse and tack, if needed). Your riding lesson fees are used to pay the costs of feeding and caring for horses and their equipment. These costs include all veterinary care, farrier, dental, feed, clothing, tack and the maintenance of the arena.
Our school horses are chosen for their temperament, training and safety. We have horses suitable for beginning through intermediate level riders. Occasionally our school horses are available for half- or full-lease as well as for purchase. Please note that we do not rent our horses.
Don’t be a potential victim
We believe that through education, understanding and experiential opportunities, humans and horses can be positively transformed together and empowered to grow to their full potential. From day one, we hope to provide each one of our students with an indestructible foundation that will not erode in times of play or of emergency. This is knowledge that can prevent them from being a potential victim of horse related accident.
Safety is paramount at GLAD Farms. In the rare event of a medical emergency, our instructors and management are certified in CPR and Basic First Aid. There is also an on call EMT/First Responder living next to the farm.
Philosophy:
We believe in…
Basic dressage (Spanish Riding School) as a foundation for any discipline
George Morris and his method of teaching
United States Pony Club and their standards of horsemanship
Criteria for students:
At least 7 years old (ages 6 and under, check out Pony Pals)
Proper riding footwear (some sizes are available to borrow)
Proper safety helmet (available to borrow)
A desire to learn and a respectful attitude
Note: You do not need to own a horse!
Rates:
Private lesson (45 min – 1 hr) $30
Group (2-4 riders) lesson (approximately 1 hour) $20
All students should be dressed, tacked and in the ring 15 minutes before the posted lesson time to properly warm your horse up.
Danielle Reavis instructs all of our beginners, and this is her second year of teaching at GLAD Farms. Riding horses since the age of six, she began formal lessons with Jessica Nielson at the age of seven, focusing on the foundation of classical dressage. She continues her education several times throughout the year with grand prix trainer, Vitor Silva, and competes locally in dressage (First Level with scores up to 70), hunter jumper and eventing. Danielle's style of teaching is reflected in her motto "My life is best viewed through the ears of a horse." She always has the horse's best interest in mind and passes that awareness to each of her students. Danielle is a firm instructor, challenging her students, but always reminding them that their thoughts and feelings are valid and welcomed into the learning process.
Testimonials
"GLAD Farms Lessons Program has been a wonderful experience for my daughter. Adrienne has cultivated a warm, nurturing environment where children and adults can learn and grow. Her enriching combination of work and play offers the perfect blend of teaching responsibility, developing character, and having fun!" - Gillian P.
"GLAD Farms is a very welcoming place. My daughter Isabel has had hours of fun on the farm, not only with her riding lessons but also grooming and caring for the horses, and special gatherings at their farm's campsite. Mrs. Gage has a big heart and we were happy to become involved with her efforts to rescue and transport a horse from South Carolina who now is a wonderful lesson horse." - Susan D.
"My experience with the lessons and horsemanship program at Glad Farms was extremely rewarding. I was impressed with what the program can deliver for such a low cost. The instructors and owner are very personable and talented. They customized the lessons to fit my capabilities and goals, and were always positive and fun to be around. I was very impressed with the time spent on learning how to care for and keep the horses healthy and happy, in addition to safety and riding skills. The entire farm is a very healthy and positive place and offers worthwhile experiences to both young and mature horse lovers." - Mickie R
"I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful experience I had taking riding lessons at GLAD Farms. I’d taken lessons before; but, was never satisfied with my teachers or their teaching methods. My experience at GLAD Farms was awesome. Not only did my instructor teach me something new every week; but, the lessons made complete sense and were so much fun. Just goes to show that you can teach a 60 year old dog new tricks! I also appreciated the attention to making everyone comfortable and relaxed, commitment to the safety of students and horses, and the warmth and caring shown by the staff. Anyone interested in taking riding lessons should definitely sign up at GLAD Farms. I’m GLAD I did!" - Rita W
Lessons Calendar |
