Therapeutic / Adaptive Riding Program

We are looking for volunteers to support adaptive lessons!
Email me at laughingbuckfarm @ gmail  . com for more information.

Please read our policies and procedures so you can be prepared for your trip to the farm.
Click on the button to the left to see what you can expect from us and what we can expect of you during this time.

We currently have limited availability for adaptive riding lessons with our PATH certified instructors.
Scroll below for the details.

2021 ADAPTIVE LESSON SCHEDULE
Late Winter Session 2021  -- 8 WEEKS
January 11 - March 5
Private lessons- $360.00/Session
Group lessons- $320.00/Session
(Unless otherwise arranged)

Spring Session 2021--8 WEEKS
March 22 - May 14.
Private lessons- $360.00/Session
Group lessons- $320.00/Session
(Unless otherwise arranged)

The adaptive riding program at Laughing Buck Farm delivers equine assisted activities (EAA) and equine facilitated learning (EFL) to individuals with cognitive, physical and social/emotional special needs. Participants will experience horsemanship lessons with PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International certified instructors who are also PATH Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning. Along with instructors, students will work with equines in a safe, secured and private setting. Private or group (two or more participants) lessons are available and are designed to meet every participant's needs.

HOW TO BECOME PART OF THE ADAPTIVE PROGRAM
  1.  Fill  out EAA interest form:     EAA Interest Form
  2. Contact Laughing Buck Farm at laughingbuckfarm@gmail.com to set up a short visit to the farm
  3. Complete participant enrollment packet and return to Laughing Buck Farm
  4. Set up an evaluation- $45.00 fee due at time of evaluation
Therapeutic /Adaptive  Riding Lesson Cost:
1 hour private- $45
1 hour semi private / group- $40

Non Adaptive Riding Lesson Cost
1 hour private- $40
1 hour semi private / group- $30

Our Therapeutic / Adaptive Instructors:
PATH Certified Adaptive Instructor
Rachel


Rachel has been involved in the therapeutic riding community since she was a teenager and volunteered throughout high school at a PATH (then NARHA) program. Rachel now has 20 years experience in the EAA field. Rachel has a passion for all equines, but especially donkeys. She also runs a donkey training program. It is very difficult to out-stubborn her, as she is very patient! 
PATH Certified Adaptive Instructor
Amy


Amy has a BS in Physical Education and Coaching and an MS in Exercise and Sport Science. She's grown up around horses and loves to ride in the mountains. Amy has found great joy in her midlife career switch to a Path Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor and an Equine Specialist. She loves to travel and spend time outdoors. Her family includes 2 kids, 2 horses, 1 cat, 1 dog and 1 husband:)
We focus on building safe horse handling and riding habits  here at Laughing Buck Farm, as well as building a relationship with the horse. We start all students off on the ground, learning how to work safely around horses and ponies, understanding equine instincts and helping kids to recognize the temperament and personality of our lesson horses. Students learn to catch, tie, lead and groom their pony or horse before moving on to riding.

We embrace and incorporate many teaching techniques, but we are mostly geared toward Natural Horsemanship, putting emphasis on the relationship between horse and rider and always treating horses with respect.

During the lesson you can expect to
  • learn safety rules with horses in the barn and arena
  • gain an understanding of horse behavior and temperament
  • groom and tack up, mount and dismount safely
  • learn warm up exercises at the walk
  • learn to use aids ( seat, legs, hands and voice) to ask their horse to walk, halt, turn, trot, or canter
  • have fun and develop a relationship with their pony / horse
  • and much more!

What to Wear

Please come prepared for your lessons wearing long, comfortable pants and boots or shoes with a heel. Tennis shoes and open-toed shoes are not appropriate for riding. You may bring your own certified riding helmet or borrow one of ours. Bike helmets are unsuitable for riding. You may also wear riding gloves, which help the reins to stay firmly in your grip, but they are not a requirement.

Under Colorado Law, an equine professional is not liable for an injury to or the death of a participant in activities
resulting from the inherent risks of equine activities, pursuant to section 13-21-119, Colorado Revised Statutes.