Chasing Laurels / Horse Boarding Farm in Des Moines, Iowa

CHA Certified Instructor
Riding lessons and training, Insured for Professional/General Liability Insurance

Chasing Laurels enjoys providing a variety of programs for children, teens, and adults. There are riding lessons, day-camps, birthday parties, unicorn parties, public & private school visits, trail rides, camp-outs with horses, hang outs at the barn, Girl Scout Badge Clinics, boarding for ponies & horses, volunteering opportunities and more.

We are located in East Des Moines. Within walking distance of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. There is a small indoor arena, outdoor riding area(s), a 1/4 mile training track, and limited road /trail riding for the more experienced. We often visit the Jester Park Equestrian trails and the Elk Rock Equestrian trails.

The lessons last one hour. They include grooming, tacking, and riding. We teach both the English and Western disciplines. Along with some gaming. We have Jumps, poles, barrels, trail equipment, and more on site. We focus on safety, center of balance, and knowledge, while having fun on horseback. Lessons are provided on Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Most students take regular lessons on a reoccurring weekly schedule. Weekend lessons may be requested to shift or reschedule to accommodate events.

The day camps are coordinated during Des Moines Public School breaks. There is a 1-3 day camp during spring break, a 1 week camp in June, a 1 week camp in July, 2 weeks in August, and then 1-3 day camp during winter break. All the day camps start at 9AM and go till 5PM.

Quite often we also camp out with the horses during spring break and again the last weekend of October. Camp outs include- the horses /tack, 2 days of trail riding, meals, wood for the fire, entertainment in the evening, etc… There are also options for day time riding without the overnight(s).

Hang outs at the barn are from 11AM-5PM when scheduled. The hang out is supervised but, unstructured. Students often groom and ride the lesson horses, play horse board games, socialize, chill out, etc… We have had people come to the barn to do nothing more than homework or read books, while sitting on a horse.

We also allow volunteering. This usually begins at 13. However, we do occasionally make exceptions based on knowledge, safety, focus, and ability.

Specialties

All Breeds And Disciplines Are Welcome All Disciplines and Riding Levels Welcome AQHA Arena Beginner Lessons On Own Or School Horses. Board Boarding Broodmare And Foal Care CHA Certified Colt Starting Daily Handling Of Horses Daily Individual Turnouts Daily Stall Cleaning Dressage Education English English Pleasure Equitation Excellent Care Full Service Boarding Facility Geriatric Horse Care Gift Certificates Group Activities Group Instruction Horse Leases Available Horse Retirement Care Horse Summer Day Camp for Kids Horse Training Horse Transport Available Horse/Pony Birthday Parties Horseback Riding Lessons Horses for Sale Hunter Jumper Individualized Care Indoor Riding Arena Insured Jumping Leasing Lessons Natural Horsemanship Open 7 Days a Week Outdoor Arena Pasture Board Pastures Personal Attention Given To Each Horse And Human Personalized Care Pole Bending Private Riding Lessons Retirement With Full Care Riding Clinics Riding Lessons Riding Lessons for Adults Riding Lessons for Children Round Pen Stables Stall Boarding Trailer Parking Available Trainer On-site Wash Rack Western Western Pleasure Young Riders Welcome Youth