Horseback Riding in Hunt Valley, Maryland (Baltimore 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

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

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

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

I am interested in helping people become better riders, i would be more than happy to come to you and share with you what i learned and how i got to be such a good rider. Please feel free to shoot me an email and id be more than happy to meet you.

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

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

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

Butler Equestrian is a hunter/jumper/equitation farm located on 20 acres of rolling hills. Our Equestrian Director and Trainer, Jennie Garraffa is a certified trainer with the United States Equestrian Federation. We have access to miles of trails on Seneca Park and an indoor and an outdoor riding ring. We are relaxed and focused on having fun. We teach ages 6 through adult, this includes some Mom and Children teams! We not only teach riding skills to all ages but also horsemanship skills and focus on the partnership between horse and rider. We offer lessons, partial leases and attend local horseshows.... See More

We provide horseback riding lessons for all ages and disciplines, and introduce you to all different types of riding. Had a bad fall, and want to get back in the saddle again? We can help you with that. Don't know what you want to do with your riding? We can help you with that! Here at Opening Number Riding Academy, the spotlight's on you!... 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

Family-oriented Barn! We teach year around. We have an indoor riding ring, heated observation room, 2 outdoor lighted riding rings. Call us for more information!

Jaralyn Gibson Finn - Finesse Dressage. Freelance dressage trainer specializing in adult amateurs and junior/young riders.

Here at Free Spirit Stables Horse & Pony Sponsorship enables an adult, child or numerous children to sponsor a horse or pony. Each person will be paired with his/her horse or pony and our farm will dedicate time and effort to teaching how to ride and care for the horse or pony properly.

Monthly Sponsorships includes a weekly Two-Hour session where our farm teaches FULL HORSE CARE which includes grooming, tacking, riding and feeding the horse or pony. We accept students from age three (3) through adult into the Program.

We have two horse shows at our farm each year, we also participate in other schooling shows. If your family or child dreams of having a horse or pony but in our back yard this is the place.

We are a 501(c)(3)so you will be giving back to these wonderful rescue horses and ponies. Trail Rides, Summer Camps, Girl Scout Programs, Homeschooler, Extra Practice Times. Easter/Halloween/Christmas Parties. Pick-up at many schools. We offer a family fun place!... See More

Feelgood Farm is a friendly “A” circuit equestrian facility located in Frederick County, Maryland specializing in Hunter/Jumper training. We offer sales, boarding, leasing, training, instruction and career management to all ages and abilities. We also launched a breeding program in 2013. We would love to meet anyone interested in our program and would be thrilled to discuss any goals you may have that we can help you to accomplish.

Feelgood Farm is conveniently located in Frederick County, Maryland, within driving distance of Washington, Baltimore, and Middleburg, VA.

Two large indoor and outdoor rings with clinics, shows and off farm events.... See More