Horseback Riding Lessons for All Ages By Jillian Amodio, LMSW
Horseback riding is an activity that teaches many valuable skills. It’s more than just riding a horse! It teaches horsemanship (the skills and knowledge needed to form and maintain healthy and respectful relationships with horses), focus, compassion, empathy, confidence, patience, discipline, self-control, and more. It is also great exercise and offers plenty of opportunities for building relationships with animals and people alike! Horseback riding is open to people of all experience levels and can be done for leisure or as a competitive sport. Adaptive lessons cater to riders with special needs. Equine therapy focuses on utilizing horses and their environment in a therapeutic setting. There are also many options in the area for people to be around horses without having the obligation of riding them. Horseback riding can enhance physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Generally speaking, most lesson programs will have helmets that can be borrowed for an initial lesson. Clover Run All level riding lessons, and competitive riding. Offers no commitment evaluation lesson and facility tour. 4003 Camp Letts Rd, Edgewater, MD 21037 (443) 875-5438 Morningside Stables, LLC. All levels riding lessons, and competitive riding, and show teams. Three locations: Andover Equestrian Center 433 Andover Rd, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090 (256) RIDE-AND AndoverEC@morningsidestables.horse Andy Smith Equestrian Center 584 Broadneck Rd, Annapolis, MD 21409 (913) 6-RIDE-AS AndySmithEC@morningsidestables.horse Columbia Horse Center 10400 Gorman Rd, Laurel, MD 20723 (323) RIDE-CHC ColumbiaHC@morningsidestables.horse Maryland Therapeutic Riding Adaptive riding, equine therapy, and horsemanship
Typically, riders should wear pants and a heeled boot to their first lesson. Tack and grooming materials will be provided by the lesson program. In addition to the various opportunities for lesson programs, horse discovery programs offer a unique opportunity for equine education. In 2015, Maryland Department of Agriculture launched a network of over 35 certified horse discovery locations. These locations offer opportunities for the public to learn more about the equine industry. More can be found at this website: mda. maryland.gov/horseboard/pages/horse_discovery_centers. aspx. As a beginner rider (child or adult), or as a parent looking for beginner options for their kids, it can be hard to know where to start. We’ve made the search easier with a list of local businesses that offer opportunities to start your equine adventure. Talisman Therapeutic Riding Adaptive riding, equine therapy, and horsemanship 172 Blue Ribbon Lane Grasonville, MD 21638 info@talismantherapeuticriding.org (443) 239-9400 Great Escape Stables All level riding lessons and competitive riding. Barn tours available upon request. 17620 Central Ave, Bowie, MD 20716 (240) 398-9284 Fence Post Farm
All level riding and competitive riding. 7920 Shipley Rd, Pasadena, MD 21122 (410) 530-3654 Cow Girl Up Beginner lessons and horsemanship. Annapolis
(443) 871-3025 Big Purple Barn Beginner lessons, horse discovery programs, and barn tours. 6407 Hillmeade Rd, Bowie, MD 20720 (240) 687-6995 thebigpurplebarnbowie@gmail.com
1141 Sunrise Beach Rd. Crownsville, MD 21032 (410) 923-6800
Photo credit Jack Anderson
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