What Can I Expect? Want that feel-good high of a genuine, heartfelt relationship? Get close: touch, sense, observe your horse. Behave like a horse! Feel the giant animal's breath and look deep into its large, expressive eyes. Be confident and safe knowing what to and why. Inhale that distinct horsey-scent and savor the aroma of the barn. Allow all elements of horses to inspire you to feelings of joy, peace, stability, relaxation or sheer excitement! Your goal is a team effort with big grins, exhilaration and fitness for you and equine. Click here for Photo Gallery or Meet The Horses.
Who Is My Instructor? Jan Brubacher is the owner of North Road Farm, Head Instructor, 4-H & Camp Leader and active competitor. She is also a graduate of UNH and has post-degree certificates in Management from Harvard University and Web Programming from NHCTC. She has decades of experience riding, training, showing, photographing and managing horses. You will not be taught by a teenager or adult with poor communication skills. Jan returns phone calls, emails and texts. She is licensed and fully insured. Click here for Contact Jan.
What Will I Learn? Depending on your skill and confidence, you will start with halter & lead, groom & handle, lunge-line, bareback, gymnastics, yoga and equitation techniques. Advanced riders will walk, trot, canter, hand-gallop, jump, dressage, cross-country, trails, beach and show. It really depends on if you are a recreational rider for fun & fitness, adventurous and aerobic for trails or beach, or skill driven for competitive showing. During lessons, you will ride without reins & stirrups to develop correct muscle in critical areas. You will develop balance, flexibility and tone. You will stop clutching the reins or pinching your horse’s ribs with panic. Results are happy & willing student- equine team. Click here for Riding Ring Album.
You will learn safety, horse thinking & behavior, how to speak & act with horse-talk with your body & brain so the horse knows you're the one in charge! You will halter & groom, saddle-up and let's go riding! English, western, bareback, dressage, jumping, trail are all offered.
Guided Trail Rides are a hack away. Well maintained, wide and straight, you will love the soft dirt, tree-lined old rail road now converted to recreational use. Wide and straight, they make for great bridle paths. Jan will take you along the local country roads or deep into the 1000+ acre conservation preserve. Observe hay fields, cows grazing in pasture, old cemetery, streams, ponds, beavers, fish, deer, turtles, foliage. Some riding experience required for safety. Click her for Trail Rides Album.
Summer 4-H Camp begins late June through August, Monday - Friday 8am to 3 pm or 8 am to noon. Click here for Summer Camp. Click here for Summer Camp Album.
Rates Lessons are scheduled for one hour or two hour or more hour blocks in private or group after you have signed a Riding Release. To start, private lessons are best to learn quickly, correctly and with confidence. The Two Hour Introductory Ride is popular, especially if a member of the family has had a negative or traumatic experience with horses or is apprehensive and afraid. As your skills improve, you may ride with others depending on time and schedule. There is no group or semi-private rate.
| 2011 Lesson Rates | |
|---|---|
| Two Hour Introductory | $110 |
| One Hour, single lesson | $55 |
| One hour, single lesson paid in advance | $45 |
| 30 minute lesson | $40 |
| Hourly Lessons paid in advance | |
| two lessons | $90 |
| four lesson book | $180 |
| eight lesson book | $360 |
| half lease per month | $400 |
| guided trail ride, two hours | $110 |
| Guided beach ride, pace course, fox hunt | $150 |
| carriage ride, 90 minutes | $100 |
| birthday parties, minimum three hours | $225 |
| One week day camp, 8 am – 3 pm | $505 |
| One week day camp, 8 am – 3 pm | $325 |
| Half day horse show | $250 |
| Full day horse show | $500 |
| Transportation, per mile | $1.58 |
| Talk to Jan for further discounts if you are a 4-H club member or enrolled in Horse Apprentice Program |
How Does Leasing Work?Increase your ride time and horse commitment while keeping cost in check. Lease a favorite horse and you reserve the time to groom, handle, play and ride that horse as often as you like. Click here for leasing information. Talk to Jan for details.
When Can I Ride? Lessons are typically private one-on-one to ensure you will get plenty of attention and feedback. Lessons are held daytime, evenings, after school or work in the outdoor ring equipped with great footing, night lights and good drainage suitable for most weather. When you're ready, lessons are held in open fields and trails according to skill.
What Age can I start? Children can start riding around 5 years depending on their focus, desire, strength and coordination. Often adults who have ridden as children wish to retain their riding skills and look to North Road Farm to continue their recreation and relationship with horse.
Homework? Simple balance and stretching exercises done at home will make you progress faster at your next lesson. Any aerobic sport such as walking, soccer, yoga, track, basketball, karate, bicycle, etc. is encouraged. You can also borrow books & CD to review on your own time.
What Should I Wear? A study boot or shoe with a heel to protect those toes of your should you have the misfortune of being stepped on by a 1000 pound beast! A riding or bicycle helmet is required. Long jeans or riding pants and outer clothing depending on weather. No shorts, sandals, flip flops, sneakers, etc.
Two Hour Introductory is required for all new students, parents or adults who are just beginning riding and have no experience. This two hour block gives us time to break down the steps into enjoyable, digestive pieces riding so you'll achieve greater independence, confidence and retention. No rushing or short-cuts! Your lesson is adjusted based on your age and skill and you will like all the hands-on opportunity to learn new things. Dialog about goals, desires, fears, concerns, etc. are highly encouraged.
What Style of Riding Can I Choose? English (hunt - jumping or dressage - flat), western - trail, bareback, lunge-line.
How Does Horse Apprentice Work?. Five hours gets you a half-price lesson. Offered after school, holidays, Saturday 8 - 9:30 am, Sunday 9 - 10:30 am. Sign-up with Jan. Click here for more information.
Tell me about Financial Aid Financial Aid is available to riding students and Peppermint Ponies 4H members that meet certain criteria. Click here to find out who is eligible and what a scholarship can be used for.
Tell Me More About The Beach Ride? Two hour guided ride open to horses from September through May. Round trip takes 3 - 4 hours at low tide to Hampton Beach State Park and back. Fee is $150 per rider, transportation included. Click here for photo gallery.
Horse Shows March - November. Choices based on confidence and skill: 4-H shows and events, pace rides, dressage, jumping, eventing, and Fox Hunts. Coaching, horse, equipment, and transportation provided. Separate entry fees may apply. See Jan for rate. Click here for Horse Shows and Events photo gallery.
Carriage Ride Enjoy the comfort and relaxation while riding in the cart and touring the historic North Road countryside. Travel through open fields and dirt roads. Try your hand at driving! 2 hour minimum. View a photo of Boxer pulling the North Road Farm carriage.
Refer-A-Friend Earn a free riding lesson when you tell your family & friends about North Road Farm. When she or he takes a lesson, you get a lesson at no charge.
Birthday Party and special events come alive in the stable setting. Rent the farm for 3 or more hours includes one assistant and one pony for grooming and lead-line rides. $225 minimum.
Peppermint Ponies 4-H Club Open enrollment to guests, friends & families. Meetings on 2nd and 4th Monday 6:30 - 8 pm. Click here to join email club list. Hands-on horse activities, 4-H show, local fairs, field trips, group and social skills, team building, personal development, leadership. Adult volunteers encouraged.
Peppermint Ponies 4-H Club $25 annual dues. $25 set of 4-H Horse work books. Scholarships available. No youth is turned away.
© 2011 North Road Farm on historic North Road, Fremont, NH
