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Riding and Driving Lessons
General Information
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For the safety of all participants we operate under NARHA standards .
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All participants entering our facility are required to adhere to our rules and regulations.
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For the protection of our horses we have a 200-pound rider weight limit and recommend the driving classes as an option for those who exceed our maximum.
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Riding classes are limited to 4 participants per class.
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Riding students have the option of private, semi-private, or group lessons. See rates by downloading the file at the bottom of this page.
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Driving classes are offered for people with and without disabilites, starting at age 10.
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Driving lessons are typically offered as private lessons only.
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Students may bring their own horses in for class, but must have proof of annual vaccinations and a negative coggins test.
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All participants enrolling in our regular lessons must complete a Rider Registration Form (provided at the bottom of this page). Riding Classes
Therapeutic Riding (TR) Lessons
TR riding is highly recommended for all disabilities and for rehabilitaion. It is a unique and enjoyable way to improve muscle tone and balance and to develop confidence and a sense of responsibility. Students' needs are assessed before they are scheduled into classes. Instructors write lesson plans based on an initial assesment and update them as the student progresses. Class material is tailored to each student according to the severity of the disability, personal needs, and cognative level. For example, some students with disabilites may simply benefit from the horse's movement, while others may participate in steering exercises, games, and verbalizing.
Class time may include games on horse back, simple steering, verbal exercises, and muscle-stretching exercises while in the arena as well as trail rides on our campus trails (weather permitting).
Independant Riding Lessons
Independent riding lessons are offered for people of all ages with and without disabilites, in levels based on the experience of the rider. "Independant" refers to the student's ability to handle the horse with minimal or no help from a class assistant. All independant riders are placed into classes with students of the same level. Riders are assigned assistants while riding, based on their confidence level and riding abilities.
Beginner Level - Independant
The beginner level rider can be any age. This is an opportunity to either get started in riding for the first time or to refresh your skills if you rode years ago and want to get back into it. Students will learn the basics of riding and horsemanship while gaining confidence in the process. The lesson plan may include basics of safety around horses, grooming and tacking of horses, terminology, and the basics of riding at a walk and trot. Class time may include a trail ride and games.
Intermediate Level - Independant
Students who demonstrate fair control of their horse while riding without assistance at a walk and trot are considered to be at the intermediate level. The lesson plan for intermediate students may include exercises to improve rider position, advanced riding patterns, and learning how to post while troting. Students may have oral "pop quizzes" on terminology and will continue to improve their control of the horse.
Advanced Level - Independant
Students demonstrate good control of their horse at all times while riding and can perform gait transitions smoothly. The rider should be able to perform a posting trot and begin to recognize proper diagonals. Class material will include continued improvement of rider position and its effects on riding performance, basic horsemanship skills, and beginning to learn how to canter the horse with confidence.
Driving Classes
BTRC is proud to be one of few riding facilities in the area to offer pleasure driving lessons as an option to riding! Enthusiests will learn the basics of harnessing, hitching, horse, cart and harness selection, proper termonology, and reinsmanship with an emphasis on safety at all times! Driving classes are open to therapeutic and non-therapeutic students.
Therapeutic Driving
Candidates for therapeutic driving may be students with disabilities that prevent them from mounting a horse safley or who exceed our 200-pound maximum weight limit for riding. Though the phyical benefits of driving differ from those of horseback riding, driving, like riding, can build confidence and give the student a sense of control and responsibility. The driver is accompanied in the cart at all times by either the instructor or an aide.
What's more exciting is that, to the best of our knowledge, BTRC is the only program in the state of Michigan to own a specially designed cart, equipped with hydrolics and removable seats, that can be coverted for wheelchair accessability in a snap!
Our "Bennington cart" is build of high-quality materials and crafted with superior workmanship that exceeds European equipment standards for people with disabilities. This specialty vehicle is manufactured by the Bennington Carriage Company in London, England, and was purchased with funds raised and generously contributed to our program by the "Special Cars for Special Kids" Classic Car Show fundraiser in 2001.
Students in Wheelchairs
We can easily accommodate you with our wheelchair-accessable Bennington cart! Students remain seated in their wheelchair while the cart is lowered and the wheelchair is loaded. Once the wheelchair is secured with standard transportation straps, the cart is raised back to its running (level ) position by its hydrolic system. Students will learn driving skills based on their abilities and level of learning. Lesson plans may include basic reinsmanship, terminology, execution of simple patterns, and relaxing rides on our campus trails.
Beginner Level - Independant
Like our riding classes, independant driving is offered in various levels, depending on your skills. However, drivers are accompanied by the instructor or aide at all times unless they are at the advanced level. Class material is tailored to the individual and his or her driving experience. Lesson plans may include driver position, basic reinsmanship skills, executing turns and patterns, gait transitions, and termonology. In addition, drivers will learn how to safely harness, hitch, and unhitch the horse.
Advanced Level - Independant
Students considered at the advanced level demonstrate very good control of the horse while driving and are comfortable with harnessing, hitching and unhitching. Class material for the advanced level in driving may include refinement in reinsmanship and advanced challenges in patterns.
Natural Horsemanship Training Classes
Natural horsemanship is the most important revolution to horsemanship to ever take place and it is happening right now all around the world, at every equestrian level!
The methods teach us how to read a horse, as we learn how they think, feel, act and play. It teaches us how to become a true leader by communicating with them without using techniques to involve fear or intimidation to get the horse to do what we want them to. "Horses don't care how much you know until they know how much you care" - Pat Parelli
We use these methods in our program and both the students and the horses LOVE IT!
We are proud to announce Natural Horsemanship as new service for you to come and learn! Students may either learn with a program horse or bring you can bring own. Class enrollment is based on your needs and your budget.
We proudly follow / support the Parelli Natural Horsemanship programs!
Call for details. 517-755-2175.
Take Advantage of Our Top Notch Clinitian, Don Knapp of Sulphur, OK
Are you ready to advance in your Natural Horsemanship Journey?
Please check back to see when Don Knapp will be returning to our center.
"Advancing Your Natural Horsemanship Clinic"
See bottom of this page to download EFMH brochure.
Additional Services
Horse Training
Horse training services are a new addition to our program. Packages include training, board and one on one lessons with you, your horse and the trainer. Training on your horse is done by experienced horsewomen using positive and effective teaching methods. Training services include basic handling, green breaking to saddle, harness training, breaking to cart and resolving behavioral issues. Training package prices are amazingly affordable! Call today for details 517-755-2174
Specialty Groups & Clinics
Our center has always enjoyed being part of the Girl Scout badge programs. Please give us a call to schedule your girls to come in and learn!
We do Birthday parties too! Give us a call for details We are also available for 4-H functions, such as clinics and group practices at extremely affordable rates. Keep us in mind with our heated indoor facility!
Call 517-755-2175 for details.
Time to Sign Up for Summer Horse Camps!
Sign Up Now for 3 Day Horse Camps!
The Beekman Riding
Center proudly offers a variety of
fun and interesting
Summer Horse Camps to all members of the community!
No prior experience required and we even have just the right horse
for
you to come and learn with!
Sessions take place in the safety of our enclosed
riding arena or
on the beautiful wooded Beekman Campus trails.
Our instructors are experienced equestrians, who offer a
wealth of knowledge
to their students, keeping camps interesting and fun for
your learning pleasure.
We proudly utilize natural horsemanship techniques as a standard
for
handling horses and teaching at our facility!
Fun Camp Choices include:
- Beginner with Horses
- A Level Up with Horses
- Natural Horsemanship
- Carriage Driving
Call 517-755-2175
Sign up today as space is limited.
Get a discount on a term of lessons by signing up as a camp student!
Summer Camps
Summer camps, scheduled June through August, are one of our most popular services! Download a copy of our camps brochure for more details. To open the files below, your computer needs Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. To get your free copy, click Acrobat Reader. Program Offering Brochures
2008 Summer Horse Camps Brochure
2008 Riding Schedule & Class Rates
Rider Registration Form
Equine Facilitated Mental Health Brochure
Program General Information Brochure
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