Desperately seeking horseback riding options for 7 yo
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Anonymous
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Our kid is hitting a pandemic wall and needs some joy. She's been dying for horseback riding lessons (she gets to ride every summer at a family member's farm so she does have a bit of experience) so we signed her up for an intro session at one local stable because we were told by the coordinator that we needed to do that before registering for classes. But it took awhile to get into an intro session because they were booked up, and now all the classes are full...and we're screwed...and I'm at that point in this whole effing pandemic mess where I just don't want to have to disappoint my kid one more time.
So now I'm willing to spend way more than I normally would on something like this -- like, at this point we'll suck it up and pay for private lessons, etc -- but we are totally striking out on options. Seems like all the stables that are within a reasonable distance of us (like, less than an hour's drive from NW DC/downtown Silver Spring) either a) don't take 7 year olds, b) are totally full, or c) just aren't operating due to covid. At this point I'm just like, can I find a random person with a horse who would offer a 1:1 lesson? Is that even a thing in equestrian-land?! (This is SO not my area of expertise.) Is there some other option that maybe I'm not thinking of? Would be so, SO grateful for any leads/suggestions that anyone might have. Thanks in advance. |
Anonymous
| Have you tried Wheaton park stables? My daughter rode there starting at age 6. Perfect place to start, low key and fun. I know that were closed for a while due to COVID, but have heard they are back open for lessons. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for the suggestion -- yeah, we tried them -- they were super nice about it, but their lessons start at age 8. My brother actually used to volunteer there so we would LOVE to go there and had hoped they might be able to make an exception, but apparently it's an insurance thing. |
Anonymous
| My daughter took lessons at Potomac horse Center. This stable was very clean and nice. My daughter did summer camp there for two summers. In the morning they learned how to care for the horses and in the afternoon they rode the horses. Or it was vice versa. I don’t remember. I just know my daughter enjoyed it. |
Anonymous
| Thanks! Unfortunately they're not taking new riders. We've also looked at Reddemeade, Meadowbrook, Woodland, Wheaton, Rock Creek...no go on any of them. I searched a ton of other stables in Maryland and a few in NoVA, but virtually all were more than an hour away and logistically that was tough. |
Anonymous
| Waredaca? |
Anonymous
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They’re not taking new riders either. ☹️
For those with more knowledge of this realm - is my “can I just find a person with a horse” idea totally nonsensical? Or are there trainers who work with kids in this way? |
Anonymous
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Three Generations Farm up in the Damascus area?
http://www.threegenerationsfarmllc.com/ (301) 641-2228 |
Anonymous
. Yes this person will not be qualified to teach a 7 year old. I think you will need to expand your area. There’s just not many farms within an hour of NW DC. |
Anonymous
| Would she be open to a week of overnight riding camp? That might be your best option at this point. |
Anonymous
| Or a riding day camp if any still have openings... |
Anonymous
| I think Wheaton will do lessons for seven year olds with the horse on a lead. |
Anonymous
| OP, are you in a position to take a short vacation (like a long weekend) to a vacation place that has a stable? If so you should find many within two hours, and the actual riding would happen close to where you were staying. |
Anonymous
Anonymous
| You could try joining the “Maryland Horse Network” on Facebook and asking the question. I think there are some farms in davidsonville that may be taking new students. |