Bella Oaks has the funnest, friendliest, most energetic, most attentive, safety conscious staff in the world! Something special happens when kids find a place away from the stresses of everyday life to experience and learn about the magnificent creature we call horse. Students will cherish this memory for a lifetime. Due to an overwhelming number of home school requests Bella Oaks is offering a mounted and an un-mounted class. Parents are invited to attend the horse show that begins a half an hour before the end of each 6-week session. Safety is our main priority.

All students gain knowledge and respect for the horse. They will receive private and semi-private instruction throughout the session. Groundwork skills learned will include leading the horse, riding aids, correct reign position, safety knots, lunging and cooperation with the horse. They will learn proper grooming, health and anatomy. Additional things on the schedule may include specialists in many fields who stop by to share their knowledge on a variety of subjects form veterinary medicine and equine dentistry to farrier work.

Some items included in the lessons:

Horse sense, haltering & tying a safety knot, grooming, basic gates, parts of the horse, stable chores, horse breeds, history of the horse, horse behavior, feeds & feeding, insect & fly protection, care of equipment, hoof care, keeping your horse healthy, basic first aid for horses, selecting a good horse based on suitability, conformation & soundness

Written tests, arena tests and score sheets

~ We provide a workbook, lesson plan and homework

Mounted Students will also learn English & Western riding, horsemanship, safety and groundwork are the main activities. We teach skills that build confidence. They will play horseback games that will improve their skills to prepare for our trail ride at the end of the week.

Each week Bella Oaks has an increased emphasis on a variety of horse disciplines from vaulting to dressage and driving. Introductory private lessons may be purchased during their session to be taken before or after their class hours for a discounted rate of $40 per 30 minute session. Please add this to your registration form if you are interested.

Additional items included in the mounted lessons:

Mounting & proper dismount, basic seat and hand positions, ask-tell-demand, the trot, trail riding, balance of horse & rider, preparing to canter, preparation for jumping, trail obstacles, rein aids, leg aids, the trot & transitions, western patterns, games on horseback, performance skills, stops from the lope, simple and flying lead changes, leg yielding & jumping.

Students may not be ready for all items discussed in the lesson plan. Bella Oaks instructors always teach at the level of each individual child.

~ Day school sessions are also available for participants 3½ to 5 years of age (Little Cowpokes Horse Class) and instruction is geared towards their interests and abilities.

Fees & Schedule:

Each session lasts 6 weeks and it requires 3 sessions to complete the course.

Mounted (ages 7-17) $600 a session, Tuesdays from 10-2 (you provide lunch)
Unmounted (ages 7-17) $450 a session, Thursdays from 10-2 (you provide lunch)

Little Cowpokes (ages 3 ½ to 6)

Mounted Tuesday from 2-4pm for $600 per session.
Unmounted Thursdays from 2-4pm for $450 per session.

Discounts: Entire course of 3 sessions paid for in advance will save 10%

Sessions:
Semester I: Session I: September 13th to October 20th, Session II: October 25th to December 8th (closed the week of November 21st.) Session III: January 10th to February 16th
Semester II: Session I: Feb 21-March 29, Session II: April 3rd to May 10th, Session III May 15th to June 21st

Answers: Yes you may enter mid-session for a prorated amount. Yes we will work with your schedule. (We are able to do this because we are always working with your child on their individual skill level.) Yes we are licensed and insured. Yes we will take care of your child as if they were our own.
Before and after class care is available at the rate of $15 per hour and must be arranged and paid for in advance. Students will play games, read and make crafts during this time.

What all students need:
· Lunch, Water Bottles & Other Drinks for the Day
· Sunscreen
· Any Necessary Medications Clearly Labeled, thick leather shoes or boots please (you may get stepped on- it happens!) .
· Names Marked on Clothing, Lunchboxes, Helmet, Etc.

Mounted Students:
· You will wear a helmet, Bella Oaks provides the helmets
· Riding Boots, western boots or shoes with at least a ¼ " heel! (This is a must! No sandals or open-toed shoes.)- Leather is a must to protect the feet.
· Jeans or English Riding Pants Only (No Sweat Pants)

You won’t need:
· Gum
· iPods, Gameboys or Other Electronic Entertainment Devices
· Jewelery
· Inappropriate Clothing

Bella Oaks follows CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) guidelines.

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