| Beginning Horsemanship
Class:
This class is a great place to start for both children
and adults that have had little or no experience around
horses. This class is offered to Moms and their pre-k
children and students ages 5 and up. The class teaches
students how to properly groom, saddle (tack), lead
and ride horses in either an English or Western saddle.
Each student shares a horse with another student. We
work on building a good foundation with our students
as they make friends with our horses, many of which
were born and raised here on the farm. During the first
half-hour of each lesson, our students practice our
Crafts of Partnership by striving to have the horse
feel like they are getting a fair trade for what they,
the horses, are giving the students. It is easy to feel
safe with our horses whether they are one of our ponies
Mexi or Pepper, our mule Kate, and her boyfriend Newton
the donkey, or one of our many versatile Morgan horses
or one of gentle Arabs Nadia and Chic or one of our
numerous quarter horses. Because of the way they have
been raised and treated they are not angry with the
humans that care for them. If you ever had a bad experience
around horses we offer our place to go beyond your fear.
Our instructors are more like coaches than teachers.
We work with each individual to help them take their
next step and then the next and so on.
Horses have rhythms in their walking, trotting and cantering.
Walking is 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4 Trotting is 1,2,1,2 and Cantering
is 1,2,3,1,2,3. Humans like to dance to rhythms. We
teach the student the rock-n-roll, the bump, bumb, the
up, down, and the slide as they learn to dance with
the horse’s different rhythms. We help them to
develop an ability to communicate clearly with horses,
to learn our C.R.A.F.T.S. of Partnership. Communication,
Respect, Acknowledgment, Friendship, Trust and Setting
Good Boundaries. Horses want to do what their human
partners want. Sometimes though they don’t do
what you want because they don’t understand what
you want. Horses are looking for a leader, so we help
the students become good leaders. It is a wonderful
experience when the horse becomes your feet, and you
the brain. You get to feel real Horse Power.
Students will be around horses for the entire period
and proper footwear is mandatory (no open towed shoes
and long pants are suggested.
Advanced Beginners Class
These students go beyond walking and trot independently
on their horses. We work on balancing and bettering
the communication skills with the horse until the students
can control their horses at the walk, trot and canter
and can be independent riders, in our large outdoor
riding ring. Intermediate Class
In these classes we work on refinement of the riders
posture, balance, hands and confidence as they walk,
trot, canter and jump independently.
Trail Riding Class
Just about everyone wants to get out in Nature and
go on a trail ride. We want to help you do this have
a great experience and be successful. Many people’s
first time on a horse was a trail ride and they usually
don’t get much instruction. The class starts
out in the riding ring for the first couple of lessons
and by the end of the class the students will be out
on the trail. Small/young children will be lead on
the trail for safety purposes. It may take only a
few classes to be prepared but it is well worth the
lessons and the experience of having a successful
ride
Clay Works
Clay making is a time-honored tradition that holds
both artistic and functional merit. Spence’s
pottery shop, Clay Works, is a great environment for
campers to learn about the fundamentals of pottery
while exploring their creative sides. The class focuses
on the importance of using recycled materials to create
both utilitarian objects and works of art and at the
same time encourages the campers to have fun with
clay. Clay Works offers the campers a chance to witness
the clay making process: taking clay from the Earth,
manipulating the form, heating it and transforming
it into glazed pottery or art. The shop also teaches
students how to fire their clay pieces manually. Even
though campers often leave the shop covered head-to-toe
in clay, they are taught to be clean and respectful
of their and other’s workspaces.
Gardening
We will work with the current flower, vegetable, and
fruit gardens. We will be planting, weeding, harvesting,
making compost, managing worm beds and talking about
it all. Participants will get to take home some of the
products, and help plan future plantings. Woodshop
We will get familiar with the tools in the shop and
help if we need any wood projects done for the farm.
All projects will be done for the farm, but students
would learn how to duplicate or make projects of their
own. Learn about the basic steps for creating. Think
it, Draw it, Build it.
Farm Hands
Managing a farm requires many skills and activities.
We will learn how to drive the tractor, make compost,
manage the worm bed and prune the fruit trees. Collect
rocks, and wood for projects. Manage the natural swimming
pool and the farms fence.
Our Junior Mentor Program
Each of our class or program areas has one or more
adult Mentor/Leaders who, because of their life experiences
and knowledge, are positive role models. They may
be assisted by one or more young people enrolled in
our Junior Mentor Training Program as a Junior Mentor-in-Training,
a Junior Mentor or an Assistant Mentor, depending
on their age and their abilities. Entry into our Mentor
Training Program is by application and interview.
It provides opportunities for teens and adults to:
- Apprentice in an area of interest
- Be good role models
- Receive credit vouchers for programs you
or your children can take
Don’t forget we have horses, pottery and woodshop
each day Mon- Sat. in our year round Enrichment classes.
Parent/Toddler Program
Spence’s Farm offers a program for 2 ½
- 5 year olds Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings
from 9:30- 11:00 and 11:15- 12:45. The program includes
horseback riding ( 2 levels Beginner and Advance Beginners),
and feeding the chickens and goats, beginners also
have an art project. Cost - $50 per 4 weeks.
Parent/caregiver is required to stay with preschool
children during the program.
Home School Fall Session I 2006 Schedule
Home School Fall Session I 2006 Registration
Pre-school Registration
Pre-school Registration Form – All Sessions
For more information, feel free to call us at 968.8581
or email
us.
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