Dun-Pikin Farm
4808 Mountain Road
Pasadena, Maryland 21122
(next to Chesapeake High School)
Home

Riding Lessons

Calendar of Events

Pony Pals

Free Manure!

Photo Album

Trophy Show Series

Training

Call now to register for lessons, pony pal sessions and use of our combined training facilities
 (410) 255-3918 or email us at rholt@erols.com

FREE HORSE MANURE!!!
 We almost always have a good supply of fresh
 and composted horse manure.
 (It's the nature of the business.)

Call the farm at 410-255-3918
If you would like us to call and discuss joining the lesson program please email us with a phone number and appropriate time to call

 

Lesson Information – Dun-Pikin Farm

 On our school horses I offer private lessons and group lessons. Half hour private lessons are recommended for new riders. Learning to groom the horse and tack it up (put on its saddle and bridle) are part of the lesson program. I recommend children to be 7 years old before they start regular riding lessons. We offer another program for little ones called “Pony Pals”

 The pony pal program at Dun-Pikin is very unique. Not many farms will teach riders younger than 7 years of age. We have designed a special program to help prepare younger horse lovers to enter our lesson program.

 Pony pals are for children 4- 7 years of age. They learn about horse behavior, how to groom the horse and prepare it to be ridden. Then they get a lead line ride.

 During the lead line ride they learn how to hold the reins and how to sit correctly. This is a great confidence builder and we have found that children that start in the pony pal program have a good confident foundation for riding independently. A few riders have even moved into regular lessons before they turned 7.

 

Pre-Pay for 4 lessons at your first lesson and your first lesson each month following.

 Lesson Rates - Month Pre-Pay (4 lessons)

 Half Hour Private                                                                   $140

Semi Private (2 riders/hour lesson)                                          $140

Group (3 or more riders, hour lesson)                                    $120

Pony Pal lesson(1/2 hour lesson)                                           $100

 

Every effort will be made to establish regular scheduled lessons times for Pre-Paid riders.

 Anyone not pre-paying will be charged an additional $5 per lesson as indicated below:

Lesson Rates - Pay as you go (1 lesson at a time)

 Half Hour Private                                                                    $40

Semi Private (2 riders/hour lesson)                                         $40

Group (3 or more riders, hour lesson)                                    $35

Pony Pal lesson(1/2 hour lesson)                                           $30

 

Regular lesson times may not be possible for riders not pre-paid. Pre-paid riders will have priority for lesson schedule slots.

 

 

Make-up policy

 

Only one make up lesson will be allowed per month for missed lessons that are not due to weather or other barn cancellations. Make up lesson must be scheduled in the same month and will depend on instructor/lesson slot availability. Make ups not rescheduled within the same month will be lost. No refunds or credits.

 

 Weather policy

 We will ride when weather permit us to do. Cancellations due to weather are at the discretion of the instructor. Please call if there is any question. Please come dressed appropriate for the weather.

 

 Refund policy

 All lesson payments are non-refundable and cannot be used as credits toward camps, parties or other barn activities.

 

Gift Certificates

 Gift certificates are available for lessons. All lesson policies apply.

 

  

For more information on the lesson program and Pony Pals please contact Katie Holt at 410-320-3091 or email at Katie@rickholt.net

Lessons must be scheduled at least one week in advance and availability of lesson slots will depend on demand and weather.

  

Horse Care

Please be ready to ride at the scheduled time of the lesson. Then plan on staying 15-20 minutes after your lesson to clean your horse and tack before putting away. Horse care is a part of learning to ride and there will usually be a helper in the barn to assist riders.

Safety

Lesson horses are usually safe to work around, but you must still practice safety around the barn and horses at all times. Horses can bite, kick, move suddenly if frightened and by virtue of their size and strength even hurt you by accidentally bumping into you or stepping on you. Be careful! You must wear proper footwear at all times. This is a boot that covers the ankle and has a heel. Hiking boots are not safe to ride in while in the stirrup, so you need a riding boot. Also use quiet voices and walk when in the barns. When walking or leading the horses always have a lead rope or bridle on him. Please keep plenty of distance between horses in the barn and when riding. Also keep horses tied on cross-ties when tacking and grooming in the barn. All riders must wear an approved riding helmet when mounted. Remember it is you we are trying to protect with these simple rules. Please be careful!

Pony Pal Information

Young aspiring riders (generally age 6 and under) may enjoy our pony pal program. Riders learn about riding, grooming and general horse care at a very basic level and enjoy a lead-line walk under saddle during the 1/2 session. As their coordination, strength and confidence build many of our pony pals advance to our regular lesson program. Your Pony Pal instructor will monitor your progress.

Dun-Pikin Do’s and Don’ts

 Do’s:

  • Wear an approved helmet when mounted at all times

  • Wear appropriate riding shoes with a heel

  • Dress for the weather

  • Stay out of the barn aisle while others are tacking up.

  • Arrive early for your lesson

  • Call at least 24 hours in advance to re-schedule a lesson

  • Leave gates the way you find them

  • Let the staff know if you need help

 Don’ts:

  • Do not smoke in the barn area

  • Do not run or make loud noises

  • Do not feed the horses treats without permission

  • Do not bring your dog to the farm

  • Do not allow young children to play or roam unsupervised.

 

Return to Dun-Pikin Farm Home Page

 
 


The Instructor
Katie Holt (left) is our lesson program manager.


Learn to Ride
Children and adults are welcome in our lesson program.


Pony Pals

Do you have a young aspiring rider? Sign them up for our  'Pony Pal' program. Children too young for independent riding lessons are introduced to horses, horse safety and riding, and each session includes a lead line walk under saddle.