English and Western Horseback Riding Lessons at Rivendell Farm
Rivendell is a farm devoted to the exploration of the relationship between horse and rider. It is our goal to help you make that magical connection and let horses become a part of your life. We offer beginner, intermediate, advanced and Therapeutic riding lessons. Our mission clearly is geared to more than just riding. We seek to help people, young and young at heart, who understand the emotional bond that can exist between horse and rider, and seek to find it.
Lessons
We offer private riding lessons. Ground work can be included, but our goal is to maximize your time mounted. Riders are expected to arrive 15 minutes before and stay 15 minutes after their lesson. This time will be used to groom your mount before and after your ride. Please come dressed appropriately. Boots with heels are required and long pants recommended. You must wear a helmet while riding. If you do not have one, we will provide one for you. If you would like to purchase a helmet we sell them on site at our tack shop. All students must sign a release form prior to the first lesson. If under eighteen, the student must have a parent sign as well. This will be updated annually.
Punctual arrivals are essential for obvious reasons. Scheduling the right horse for the right rider requires you to be there at the time reserved. Please respect the rights of the students who are waiting for their mounts to be groomed and cared for.
All payments are required in advance. 24 hour cancellation policy must be enforced. Please check with us if weather appears to be in doubt, but in general we ride in most conditions.
Therapeutic Horseback Lessons $50 per half hour | $290 for a package of six
The “NARHA” (North American Riders for the Handicapped Association) guidelines are followed. Therapeutic Riding uses equine-oriented activities for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well being of people with disabilities. Therapeutic riders learn at their own pace, with as much, or as little help as needed. All make great progress in a number of the following areas:
Self Esteem
Postural Alignment
Social Awareness
Balance
Receptive and expressive language Skills
Attention Span
Fine and Gross-motor Coordination
Sequencing
Behavioral and emotional control
Independence
Horses are specifically selected to meet the individual riders’ needs. All mounts are calm and well behaved, truly generous in spirit.
Hippotherapy Lessons $65 per half hour | $375 for a package of six
Hippotherapy is often used as an adjunct or in addition to therapeutic clinical settings. This 30-minute session is given by an OT, PT, or SLP using the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy to work towards therapy goals and functional outcomes. The therapist has specialized training in using this strategy as part of their practice. Hippotherapy is not to be confused with therapeutic riding, and certainly not “being led around on horse”. This serves as part of a treatment to attain functional outcomes for PT, OT, and SLP as administered by trained professionals in hippotherapy. The movement of the horse facilitates the central nervous system of the client and thus helps to improve a patient’s neuro-motor function. Hippotherapy takes the patient out of the clinical setting into a natural environment, which may help integrate their needs into everyday life experiences.
Why the Horse?
The horse’s pelvis moves in the same triplaner motion at the walk as we do, within centimeters. This movement helps facilitate normal gait pattern for patients with ambulation dysfunction. The sensory input from the horse impacts on the patients vestibular, tactile, and proprioceptive systems, which provide for a foundation for the development of the sensory motor abilities which allow Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists to address their therapy goals.
The results are displayed in a normalizing of muscle tone, improved postural alignment, midline orientation, improved head, neck and trunk control, improved body awareness and improved balance and equilibrium reaction. Muscle tone improvement affects the respiratory system, which in turn improves phonation for speech sounds and words. Positive effects are also noted in cognition, affect (facial expression related to inner feelings), arousal (excitement/enthusiasm level) and language development.
English & Western Horseback Riding Lessons $45 per half hour | $260 for a package of six
Learn the basics of grooming and tacking up your horse. Beginning riders are given lead line instruction as well as developing skills at the walk, trot, and canter. We begin with the focus on balance and making sure you feel secure. You set the pace based on your experience level and confidence.
English: Instruction available for the beginner to advanced rider, on the flat, over fences, and dressage. Rivendell Farm students are welcome to join the growing number of students actively showing, and WINNING!, at schooling and recognized shows around the state. Trailering and coaching at shows is available for hunters, jumpers, dressage, and eventing.
Also available: Advanced, Hunter/Jumper and First Level Dressage
Please enjoy this video as one of our instructors rides "Sam" over our Jump Course.
Farm and Stable Rules for Rivendell Farm
Peace and happiness rein where the rules are followed. Please download and read over the rules... (right click on link and save to your computer)
English and Western Horseback Riding Lessons at Rivendell Farm
Why the Horse?