13433 Kretsinger Rd, Smithsburg, MD, USA
About Us
Riding Lessons
Lessons are $40 per rider. Lessons last an hour or so, 35/40 minutes of riding time and the rest is spent getting the horses ready and helping to put them away. We go over safety, basic horsemanship and riding skills. We are a western geared barn – with the occasional option to try English. We, however, are not proficient in that discipline. We usually offer group lessons but are open to private as well.
Lessons are offered on a week-by-week basis. A mass message is sent out at the beginning of the week (unless specific days/times are pre-arranged) with available days/times. Folks will just respond with a day or time they can come. Our goal is to provide a fun but safe environment for riders to learn about all aspects of being an equestrian. We have a nice variety of kids and adults riding. Some are working on beginner things such as seat, steering horses, etc. while others are working on more specific things such as cantering or doing more advanced riding outside of the ring or prepping for a showing. BTF is a very family-oriented atmosphere. We are all about having fun and loving horses! We believe and teach to love the animal first and the sport second.
What should I expect during my first lesson?
Riding lessons are designed to build your confidence gradually. Instructors typically begin with a warm-up that covers safety protocols and proper mounting techniques before moving to basic riding skills.
How should I prepare for a riding session?
Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Always check that your helmet fits snugly. Hydration and a light snack can help keep your energy up, especially during longer sessions.
What safety measures are in place?
Industry-standard practices include pre-ride safety briefings and continuous supervision by trained professionals. Emergency protocols are established, ensuring an informed response in case of unexpected situations.
Can riding accommodate various skill levels?
Absolutely. Lessons are tailored to beginners, intermediate, and advanced riders. Instructors focus on building confidence while progressively introducing more challenging maneuvers.
Horse Camps for Horse Crazy Kids
COST? $275 per camper – sibling discount of $50 from total price.
WHEN?! Evenings start at 4 pm and pick up between 730/8 pm.
WHAT?! Ride, ride, ride. We go over basic riding skills, horse related care and safety tips and tricks for handling/working around horses. Each day we do a horse related craft (horse finger painting, pool noodle horses, horse treat making and more) and have a horse related lesson along with plenty of riding time.
WHO?? Ages 4 and up are welcome!
What do We need?! Boots with a heel, a helmet (bike helmets are fine), snacks and a drink! We do always have water, juices and light snack such as crackers or chips in case anybody needs anything extra
FRIDAY- Every Friday of camp we offer Pizza or Ice cream party as a nice end to a wonderful week, along with a small gift for all the campers! Parents, grandparents, friends and family are welcome to join us for our closing party to see what all the kids have been learning all week!
Trail Rides
Our old reliable rides are $65 per person. Trail rides usually last around 1 hour or so but we always recommend folks block off 1 and 1/2 hours for the visit. Rides consist of some woods and field riding. We spend some time in our riding ring getting everyone one comfortable on the horses before we head out on the trail. Everyone can guide/steer their own horses. We do pony horses off a lead horse if needed for the smaller kids that may be nervous. Rides are very laid back and low key - we mainly only walk with exceptions for more experienced riders. Once we get back to the barn, we let riders feed the horses (horse cookies are always provided, but we always encourage folks to bring apples/carrots/peppermints). It’s a fun experience for all ages!
Birthday Parties
Looking for a horse-filled party? We offer birthday parties on farm. We provide horses and handlers, helmets, picnic tables, and a small craft for all the kids. Bring your pizza, cake, ice cream and excitement. We also encourage folks to bring carrots or apples for the horses – they will enjoy celebrating with you!
Price Varies by Group
Girl scouts
Join us for 2 hours of horse-filled adventures. Troops get to experience a typical day of owning horses including the fun of riding them. We go over safety, good horsemanship practices, the basics of starting to ride, horse-care requirements (feeding, grooming, care) and different aspects of owning and caring for your very own horse. Troops are typically divided into 2 groups. Everyone gets to jump in and help groom/tack up/untack horses. Once groups are split one will ride while the other does some routine farm chores (seeing how you clean stalls, check fence, clean buckets etc.) and then they trade so both groups get equal time to ride. Each group will also do a horse-related craft while they are with us.
