Eligible riders may partially lease a Laurelin Farm horse. This partial lease includes the following on a per month (4 week) basis:

• 4 half hour riding lessons (1 per week)

• 8 non lesson rides (2 per week, scheduled if possible, but we can be flexible)

• Use of all of the horse's tack and equipment as available. Use of all facilities. Any trail rides must be accompanied by another rider on a horse.

Cost: $200/month plus half of the horse's routine care expenses (farrier care and any chiropractic or massage that the horse may need due to use). Full farrier cost is around $40 per trim every 8 weeks or less. Chiropractic and massage is approximately $80 per session, usually done twice a summer.

Eligibility: Students must be able to walk, trot and canter safely off of a lunge line. They must be able to steer and stop effectively when more than one rider is in the ring. In addition, riders must be able to tack up the horse on their own and/or with help of their parent/guardian (who may need to tighten the girth) and safely be able to lunge the horse in the small ring.

Expectations: This program will allow intermediate riders to get a feel for what it's like to care for their own horse. They will need to plan ahead for their rides and tack up on their own for lessons. This program is structured for students to be able to ride about 3 times a week. On non-lesson days the students can work on whatever they want provided it's safe and in the best interest and well being of their horse (riding during the hottest part of the day is best avoided). They must care for the tack and equipment and watch out for the health of their horse. In splitting the routine care costs, students will get a sense of the responsibility of owning a horse and actively participate in their care.

Schedule: The horses will likely be used for other a few other students lessons, so scheduling rides is very important, to ensure the horses don't get too overworked on a given day.

Things not to do: Jump the horse without Caroline present. Go outside the pasture fence without Caroline. Leave any tack or equipment lying around the barn or leaving a mess in general.

Horse Training

Caroline takes in a limited number of horses for training each summer. Whether starting young horses under saddle for the first time or helping green horses to get more experienced, Laurelin Farm approaches training with the goal of keeping the horse a willing, trusting partner with his rider. Each horse is treated uniquely and training is matched to the horse’s needs and capabilities.

Natural horsemanship methods are emphasized with feel and release technique.  Every horse gets a correct foundation in groundwork before moving on to saddle work.  Lightness is paramount, with the horse’s owner receiving training as well to assure lasting results.  Owners are required to schedule a lesson at least once a week while the horse is in training. Dressage is introduced when the basics are set, so the horse can go on to excel in whatever discipline is his destiny.

Training board is $750/month with a 2 month minimum commitment and as space at the farm allows. Contact Caroline for availability at laurelinfarm@gmail.com