Horseback Riding in Joppa, Maryland (Harford County)

Update for 2024: Heart of Riding is going strong, thanks to my fabulous students and horses!

My new project, Nickers for Clickers Training Academy Horse Camp for Kids is now launched, and will be a whole summer of horse training FUN!

To sign up for the camp, use your favorite search engine to look for Heart of Riding Nickers for Clickers Camp - here are some details:

Youth ages 9 to 15 welcome ~ bring lunch with you ~ no more than 8 campers per week
Relaxed, peaceful atmosphere: most of our time will be focused on the basics of reward-based training for horses, inviting horses to participate at their discretion
Building a foundation that will last a lifetime: we’ll dive into horse behavior, horse care, and horse body language to better understand horses
Lots of horse time: campers will have opportunities to train horses every day, always under supervision
Dream big! Everyone will be encouraged to pick one behavior they want to train by the end of the week
Planning for contingencies: we’ll make shaping plans, measure progress toward goals and learn what to do when the training doesn’t go as expected
Learning should be fun: We’ll play games in which kids can take turns being the learner and the teacher, and discuss the differences between learning and teaching a new skill
Emphasis on safety: we’ll prioritize safety in all interactions with horses, demonstrating how to handle horses responsibly and with care
Life skills building in progress: campers will be guided toward learning patience, empathy, and communication skills
Fun without riding: many kids understand that riding is not the only way to appreciate these magnificent animals. Now they have a whole camp dedicated to all the other amazing things horses bring to the table!
Experts in charge: Emily Osborne Petrichor, owner and sole operator of Heart of Riding, LLC will be running the camp every day. Only select helpers who are knowledgeable and skilled in reward based training will be assisting. Emily has a long history of working with kids and horses in a horse camp setting as well as numerous certifications in teaching methodologies. Feel free to ask about Emily’s range and depth of expertise!
Campers will be asked to bring water, sunscreen and bug repellent, as well as a bag lunch. Clothing recommendations: light clothing similar to hiking gear would be best. Long sleeve shirts and pants made of very light material help keep bugs away and reduce the need to reapply sunscreen, while keeping us cool. A broad brimmed hat will keep the sun off the face and neck. Closed-toe shoes are standard around horses for safety reasons, ideally they would be somewhat waterproof in case we have rain/mud, but that isn't essential.
Campers will be provided with a clicker, a treat pouch, and plenty of reinforcers to carry out the training with the horses each day. They will also receive a pen and small notebook to record data / take notes if they choose to do so. We will be referencing several textbooks, but campers will not need to purchase those unless they would like to have their own copy at home. I can provide links to booksellers with that information at any time.

For rider biomechanics riding lessons, Heart of Riding school horses are now solely located in Highland, MD but if you have your own horse, I'm still able to travel to you.... See More

Hidden Haven Farm currently provides a permanent home to 14 special needs equines from our work with various local rescue organizations. Our horses are utilized in our education and outreach programs which seek to introduce horses to our community. We offer private english lessons, pony play dates, birthday parties, show teams, volunteer and working student programs and various other educational and outreach programs. We are a family owned and operated business since 1991 and we pride ourselves on our individualized instruction, attention to detail, supervision and support of our students and volunteers.... See More

Located on Maryland's Eastern Shore, Bennett Point Rd in Queenstown, Ennisbrook Farm offers private and group dressage, jumping, and cross country lessons for beginner - advanced riders. We enjoy teaching both children and adults!

Aisling Stables provides horseback riding lessons to students year round. Students vary of all ages, disciplines, and levels. Well-trained school horses are provided for lessons. Private lessons offer one on one instruction and are 45 minutes in length. Semi-privates consist of 2-3 riders per lesson and are 1 hr. Lead-line lessons are also available and include parent involvement with 15 minutes of horsemanship and 30 minutes of ride time. Package deals (four lessons) are available for students who wish to ride on a consistent basis. Lessons are discounted 10% and to be scheduled on the same day and time for each week, with packages to be used within five weeks time of purchase. Lessons have a minimum of a 24-hr cancellation policy.... See More

Merkel Farm is a family owned and operated equestrian center run by Stephanie Serenati-Merkel. Merkel Farm is nestled between Bowie State University and the Patuxent Wildlife Preserve in Bowie, MD and is within easy reach from the Washington D.C., Annapolis and Baltimore metro areas. Merkel Farm has miles of trails, a lighted indoor and outdoor ring, which allows for riding horses and horseback riding lessons to be conducted year round. We have two barns and separately fenced fields for turnout. The outdoor and indoor rings are dragged throughout the year to maintain optimal footing for horses. We have a small cross country course and a full set of jumps in each ring.... See More

Lessons & Showing - Hunters, Equitation, Pleasure
Lesson Rates: Group $30/hr Private $35/30 min
Trail Riding, Adopt-A-Horse, Barn Sleepovers, Summer Day and Residential Camp, Junior Volunteer Program, 4-H

Dressage, show jumping and cross country training for riders and horses.
I also offer boarding and taking horses to sell or for training.
I have moved here from Australia and have a fresh and positive view to offer! I'm excited to be here and love horses and bringing on horse and rider.
We have a beautiful facility here at Sunset Hill Farm for you to ride and have lessons here or for boarding. I also will travel to you.... See More

Leslie Deering has been training and teaching for over 30 years. She herself trained with an Olympic gold medalist. Leslie specializes in teaching classical principles while building security and confidence, especially while jumping. Leslie's students have become A pony clubbers and Advanced level three day event riders. In addition to events, the stable attends hunter/jumper and dressage shows. Training horses and riders for foxhunting is another of Leslie's strengths. She's hunted in MD, VA and Ky for over 20 years. Since having her own children she has also found a real joy in developing young riders and ponies and introducing beginners to the pleasure of safe riding across country. Quality horses are often available for lease.

Glendevon Stables offers 115 acres of natural beauty, with an active working farm full of fun critters including Clydesdale driving horses, goats and chickens. It is a safe and fun place to ride, learn and make like minded friends. *Please VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.GlendevonStables.com to learn more "about us!" *PLEASE CALL * to discuss your needs. We look forward to getting to know you!... See More

Learn to ride or improve your riding skills at Talbot Run Equestrian Center! Located in beautiful Mount Airy, Maryland Talbot Run Equestrian Center is a state of the art boarding and training facility featuring indoor and outdoor riding arenas, cross country, and inviting trails. Talbot Run offers riding lessons for beginner through advanced riders for children and adults. Group lessons are offered in affordable eight week sessions on safe and well trained lesson horses taught by experienced instructors. Come and try a free intro lesson to check us out. We also offer a state licensed summer day camp, a show team for our lesson students, and a spring and fall jumper show series. As the home of the Burntwoods Pony Club, Talbot Run lesson students and boarders may join and participate in a variety of high quality riding and horsemanship activities. We also offer boarding, leasing, and quality horses for sale.... See More

Spring Fever Farm is a quiet, private classical dressage facility owned and run by Diana Beuchert, of Mt. Airy, Maryland. Specializing in the lovely Spanish horses called Andalusians, Diana runs a family-friendly Equestrian Theatre and also teaches classical dressage lessons, boards horses, trains horses and buys and sells horses.... See More

Ali Calkins is a USDF Bronze Medalist and certified through level 2 in the British Horse Society in riding and stable management. She offers instruction and training in multiple disciplines including Dressage, Hunters, Jumpers, and Eventing. Whether you want to brush up your skills, tune up your horse, get a fresh start, or prepare yourself for an upcoming show season, Ali is prepared to help you in any way! Ali primarily works out of Rockland Stables in Mount Airy, but also travels to barns in the surrounding areas for training and instruction.... See More

Woodland Horse Center is Maryland's premier horse center for horseback riding enthusiasts of all levels. Woodland offers lessons in Hunt/Jumper, Dressage and Balanced Seat for children and adults. We offer Western lessons to adults only. We also offer Equi-lease, Saddle Club after school riding program, Show Teams and In-House shows throughout the year. Summer Camp is offered to kids age 5 and up. Clinics and out of class activities abound at Woodland. Our 25 acre estate of horse riding rings, stables and extensive trail system are the perfect place to learn to ride, extend your expertise or just have fun riding! Join us for a FREE Trial Lesson every Sunday at 1 PM. It's a blast!... See More

Professional 3 Day Eventing trainer and rider available for lessons, clinics, schooling, coaching. Flexible availability and willing to come to your facility if local to the Southern Maryland area. Specializing in introducing riders to the sport of eventing and prepping for your first events! Trainer has many years experience with Olympic level trainer and has trained and coached students to the preliminary level. Call or email for more info or to set up a lesson or clinic at your farm! Discounts for groups or multiple lessons scheduled in one trip. Haul-in lessons to the facility in Lothian can be arranged by special request.... See More

Idylwild focuses on Dressage and Eventing with emphasis on the "Ride With Your Mind" approach of Mary Wanless. Trailer in for a periodic lesson! For intensive training stay at our B&B for equestrians vacationing with horses! Mounted & dismounted clinics available at your location. Visit the website!... See More

CSS is a professional hunter/jumper/equitation lesson and training facility located on MDs eastern shore. Quiet and friendly atmosphere. Lessons available from beginner to advanced on one of our quality horses or ship in your own. Training available from starting babies, to tune ups- specializing in OTTB's, babies and ponies. Packages available at discounted rates for both lessons and training. A small selection of quality horses and ponies available for lease and sale at all times. Professional sales representation available as well. Showing available from local to rated!... See More