Rates for Training and Riding Lessons
Black Forest Farm, LLC offers a comprehensive
training program for horses and their people. People often comment that
they like our "one stop shopping" plan. You can buy a horse here and you
have the support of trainers and riding instructors plus the camaraderie of
others with their own horse knowledge and experience. It's also nice to go
riding with new friends made on the farm -- 2 legged and 4 legged.
Many people love horses but aren't ready to commit to
buying a horse. They don't know what is involved in horse ownership and
management. Parents with "horse crazy" kids aren't sure if their child
will remain interested in horses long enough for them to invest in a horse.
They also want to know that their child will take on the responsibilities for
caring for their horse.
Participating in one of the many avenues of training
is a excellent way to find out if you or your child is ready to own a horse or
just be around horses for the fun of it.
Many people comment how friendly they think our
horses are compared to other horses they've been around. Our horses love
attention and we lavish them with it. They are always eager for more
petting, scratching, kissing and sometimes treats. One must wear clothes
that can get dirty, because we like to hug our horses and our horses like to
nuzzle people. Wearing clean, white clothes is a sure way to get attention
from our horses as they will most certainly want to give you something to
remember them by when you go home.
For some being around the horses represents a way to nurture and reconnect with ones self. Most people enjoy this relationship with horses but for some it goes a step farther to actual therapeutic benefits. Some people have had bad accidents with horses and need to regain trust. Some find other physical and emotional benefits from being around the horses. There are some horses that we use to help people in special ways. These are our Equine Wellness Facilitators.
The atmosphere at the farm is relaxed and casual. Although some people show their horses, most at the farm are recreational riders who view their horses primarily as companions. Everyone at the farm shares a love for the beauty and spirit of horses.
| Cheri | Lucky |
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| Thunder | Voodoo |
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| Kachina | Sedona |
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| Ebony | Clue |
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Rates for Training and Riding Lessons
Horse Training
So often people refer to a certain horse as "just a trail horse" when in fact it requires a very reliable horse to be an enjoyable companion on the trail. Most of our customers are looking for a horse to be a member of their family and either want their horse trained better or are looking for a well broke horse to ride. Most of the horses we sell are younger horses which may not make them appropriate choices for some riders, but if the person and horse are an appropriate match, there is the potential for a lasting partnership for many years.
We are representatives of the American Trail Horse Association's (ATHA) certification program. The program certifies your horse in seven levels of trail expertise. This adds to a horse's credentials and makes him or her a much more valuable horse whether the horse stays in the family or is sold to another loving family. In this program, it doesn't matter if the horse is registered or not. Certification depends on the skill level of the horse.
We are developing our facility into one that specializes in trail training for horses and people. At present, this does not include competitive endurance trail rides. Our program would be more for families and horse enthusiasts of all experience levels for recreation and developing an enjoyable partnership with your horse. To our knowledge, there is no other facility in the country that specializes in this type of training.
As we have just recently become ATHA representatives
and are now developing and fine tuning our program, there will be many
exciting changes as we grow in this area. Please continue to watch our site
or give us a call to find out the latest advantages of participating in our
program. Also watch for details regarding the certification process and
pricing.
Riding lessons
Hourly lessons are private lessons meaning one
horse and rider and the instructor.
Semi-private lessons mean that two horses and two riders are receiving
instruction simultaneously from one instructor.
A School Horse is a horse provided by the
stable or instructor for use in riding lessons.
Your horse is a horse belonging to you that
you are using for your riding lessons.
***The same price applies to a situation where you have purchased the
horse from Black Forest Farm, LLC but would be using a School Horse for
riding lessons. This is one way we support our horse sales. If for
instance you buy a young horse that is either too young or does not possess the
training the riding student needs for his or her lessons, the student can use a
School Horse. As the student increases his or her riding skills and the
horse grows up and progresses in its training, the student and horse gradually
grow together and eventually ride together.
Rates
Private instruction is $45 per hour.
Semi-private instruction is $30 per person per hour for a total of
$60 per hour.
Nicole has been involved with horses most of her life. She is an invaluable part of our farm as a trainer, riding instructor and a caring member of our team. Nicole knows more about horses than most of us could hope to learn in our lifetimes. There have been many times that Nicole noticed a situation regarding a horse before anyone else noticed it. Although these are not her horses, she loves them and regards them as her own.
In my opinion, the largest part of one's relationship with a horse is on the ground. So often and understandably so, we want to get to the fun part -- riding. We want the horse to go fast and take us places. Well, before you get on a horse's back, there are a few things you should know. The right knowledge could save you from injury or save your life. Or, it could just give you a better relationship with a horse and help your horse be a more willing partner.
Horses can't speak our language, so we must learn to understand
horses. Because Nicole knows horses so well, she is an excellent person to
help a rider understand the horse's language and teach it to the rider. Her
approach in both training horses and teaching people is gentle and humane
but also rock solid common sense. Her specialty is starting horses in their
training and teaching beginning riders. This is the foundation for all
other learning. Working with beginner horses or people takes a special
talent. Nicole is one of the best people I know to lay a strong foundation
for future learning in either a horse or a person who wants to ride horses.
Our lesson horses are real horses like the ones a person may buy. They are not "push button, follow nose to tail horses." A rider of any level needs to understand and be able to build a riding partnership with the horse they are riding. Therefore in our lessons, you are really learning what it takes to be a rider of an average horse. It's a unique and comprehensive experience in relating to horses.