Horseback Riding in Laurel, Maryland (Prince Georges 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

Holly Stello competed for many years on the AA Circuit, also judging, training, and managing a show stable with a team of riders of all ages. She competed in many finals, including the USEF Medal Finals in 2004 and 2005, was Zone II Large Jr Hunter Champion with The Professor in 2004, and earned top ribbons in the indoors and at The Devon Horse Show. Now, she focusing on teaching horse and rider to work as a team in preparation for the show ring in hunters, equitation, or jumpers.... See More

CARRIAGE DRIVING LESSONS! Learn how to drive with my horse here . Teach your horse to drive with instruction. Consulting in vehicle & equipment needs & fit. Driving is a ton of fun but less forgiving that riding. Learn safely & avoid expensive mistakes from an experienced & Certified driver. Beginners welcome. Adults & Juniors. Consults, lessons, clinics.... See More

Lessons for all Ages
Children and Adults
IEA Equestrian Teams Middle and High School
Showing - Leases - Boarding Available
A-rated horses available for lessons
and/or shows
Family atmosphere and 15 minutes D.C.Hunt Seat, Lesson Horses, Hunter/Jumper, Showing, Young Riders, Group Lessons, Private Lessons, Boarding, Haul-Ins, Weekend Lessons, Beginning Riders, Adults, Horse Leasing, Family Oriented, Coaching.
In operation for 47 years with an impeccable reputation.... 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

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

Beech Grove Farm offers private english & western riding instruction in a low key manner. Our Owner/Senior Instructor Anita Baase has 36 year of equine & animal husbandry experience. It is our goal to prepare our students with the skills to become horseowners and successful competitors. Learning the skills to be the leader of their horse & rider team will insure their success in all equine endeavors. Our specialty is adults of any level of experience. Our instructors have numerous equitation,showmanship and performance championships among them from MSA, SMHA, and FSRC. We believe that your success will come from a successful learning experience.... See More

"The mission of LeCheval Stable is to educate the community about therapeutic horseback riding, provide counseling and equine-facilitated support services for the purposes of recreation, exercise, sport and rehabilitative therapy in an inclusive setting.”
LeCheval Stable, a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization, provides an opportunity for individuals and families to explore the equestrian experience. Riders ages 5 to adult learn basic standards necessary for safe riding. Lessons are geared to the strengths and needs of the rider after an initial evaluation. Horsemanship, skill progression and equitation are taught using the guidelines of the Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) and Maryland 4H Horsemanship Program. Beginning and intermediate riders work towards independence to build equestrian knowledge to support the ongoing process of skill progression. Riders learn to use the natural aids of voice, seat, hands and legs to influence and communicate with their horse.

Therapeutic riding instruction is provided by certified instructors through Professional Association Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International. Hippotherapy and consultation with occupational, physical or speech language therapists is available. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) scheduled by appointment.

Director and lead instructor is also state examiner for 4H Levels 1-4... See More

Lecheval stable l, 501 c 3 Jon profit organization. provides private and semi private sessions for riders of all ages as well as unmounted equine handling and learning sessions. Therapeutic riding program with opportunity to participate in horse shows.
Equine facilitated psychotherapy supporting individuals and families.... See More

With over 50 years experience teaching and training driving and dressage, Lynne takes an individual approach to each horse and rider combination focusing on their strengths and weaknesses to bring out the best of each pair whether on your horse or one of her many well trained horses. Elizabeth has over twenty years teaching and training hunters, equitation, dressage and eventing focuses the team, making the horse and rider bring out the best in each other. Both Elizabeth and Lynne have a passion for creating great equine and rider teams. Please visit us at www.statesmanfarm.com to see what we are all about!... See More

I am a certified equine behaviorist, and a positive method riding instructor. I train in Balance Seat and Dressage, but believe in working to keep your horses mind engaged and happy. I am positive and build confidence in all my clients. I travel to teach lessons, and work with client horses, but I often have boarding space available for clients at one of several locations that I frequent. I work with all levels of riders, I also work with vets, and other trainers to deal with sound minds in their equines.... See More

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

Camp Letts Equestrian Center is built on the belief that riders should excel in sportsmanship and horsemanship as well as riding. We believe that winning is the result of good riding, good horsemanship and faultless sportsmanship! All of our instructors are CHA certified instructors and our horses and riders compete at both the schooling and rated levels. Our Director has over 30 years of experience with Hunters, Equitation and Jumpers at all skill levels. Combining our belief and experience along with the YMCA allows all riders the chance to ride and compete at an affordable price. You don’t have to own a horse to be a great rider…you just need dedication! Kelly McCarley is the Director at Camp Letts Equestrian Center with Assistant Trainer Dawn Connell. Kelly and Dawn have over 30 years of experience in hunters/jumpers/equitation teaching, breaking and training, sales, showing at all levels (Local and Rated, judging and providing clinics. We offer group lessons with no more than 6 riders per group at a rate of $30 per hr and private 1/2 hr lessons at a rate of $35. We also offer summer residential camps, day camps, school break camps, Girl Scout badge programs, horse showing (2 traveling teams, horse leasing (for clients only), Junior Volunteers and much, much more! We are a fully licensed and insured stable and offer a family atmosphere with a loyal client following even after they go to college!! We teach beginner through advanced, ages 5-Adult on safe, reliable and show quality horses. Our horses are used in all of our programs whether it be lessons, camps, horseshowing, clinics or anything else we do with each horse only working 2-3 hours in the morning and/or two hours per evening and all of them receive a minimum of 2 days off per week along with a two week vacation each year - oh yeah...it's great to belong to our herd!! While we own quite a few of our horses, we also have rescued racehorses and slaughter house horses that we bring in, retrain and they become our show horse stars of tomorrow!! There's no need for any rider to own a horse...we have plenty and the best riders are those who ride many different types. Our riders and horses receive many Champion awards annually at the circuit year-end banquets we attend. So whether you are a serious show rider or a recreational rider, we have the program for you all in a family, fun-filled environment where there is no "Top Rider" only fellow riders! Sound interesting? Call today and come visit us...we offer evaluation rides at no cost to you...we just want to make sure we get you in the right skill group! Call today and get ready for the ride of your life! You can reach us at . We are located 5 miles south of Annapolis and 5 miles from Davidsonville/Harwood just past the intersections of Rt. 214 and Rt. 2 South. You won't find better instruction, better horses or better barnmates anywhere!... 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

SVE is a riding program that focuses on developing each riders innate ability at their own pace, fosters teamwork and horsemanship skills, offers private and group lessons for students wishing to ride two or more days per week or who are interested in leasing. All lease clients have the privilege of attending local and rated shows.... See More