Frequently Asked QuestionsBeth Hartka

Q: What is the best way to contact you?

If you are interested in any of our offerings, lessons/birthday parties/leasing etc, complete the form at the bottom of this page – this will ensure that your message is routed to the correct person.  Our instructors have very full schedules, so please allow 48 hours for a response, and see below for other information that may help you.

Q: Do you offer trail rides?

A: We do not offer horse rentals, guided trail rides, or self-guided trail rides.  Trail rides are available only as part of a lesson for continuing students.  For a list of places that do offer trail rides in Maryland, please see the website for the MD Horse Industry board, and look for a guide called Saddle Up Maryland (you can try this link but as we do not control the MHIB website this link may break).

Q: Can I trailer to the property to ride the Gunpowder Falls State Park trails?

A: Yes, you can.  Due to limited parking please contact us ahead of time so that we can instruct you where to park.  People riding the trails are not allowed to use the barn or riding arenas, and please do not allow your horse to ‘talk’ to ours over the fences due to the possibility of spreading disease.

Q: Do you offer gift cards?

A: Due to our current waiting list, we are only offering gift cards to families of existing students for gifts. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Q: Do you have openings for boarding?

A: We do not currently have any openings for boarding.  Due to the size of our lesson program, boarding spots, when available, are only available to people who are interested in having their horse used in our lesson program, assuming that the horse is suitably safe and sound, and fits the type of horse that we are in need of at any given time.  Lesson Board Horses pay less than half of our current full board rate.  If you have a horse that you think is a candidate please contact [email protected] – we do have horses entering retirement age, so if it is a good fit we could potential retire an existing horse in our program to make room for you and yours.

Q: Can I just show up for a lesson?

A: No, our instructors have a very full schedule, and we take every measure to ensure that our horses are not overworked, therefore lessons must be scheduled in advance.  New students are required to take an introductory lesson that covers safety considerations and general horse information.  Even experienced riders are required to take an introductory lesson – though depending on the amount of experience discussed with the instructor, the introduction portion may be shorter.  Please visit our lesson introduction page for more information and to contact us.

Q: Do you offer western lessons?

A: Yes!  Please be sure to state that preference in the lesson interest form so that you can be paired with the right instructor.

Q: Do you accept credit cards?

A: Yes, we accept payment with debit/credit cards onsite as well as PayPal for lessons and boarding.  Please be aware that credit/debit card payments incur an additional $5 fee.  We also accept checks and cash.

Q: Do all lessons involve riding?

A: No, we offer horsemanship lessons which start on the ground, becoming comfortable around horses and understanding how to communicate with them and understand them.  We can also accommodate lessons for people who may be nervous around horses or who are simply interested in them without the pressure of being expected to ride.  Just state your needs/expectations in the Lesson Interest form to be paired with the right instructor.

Q: Can I come to the facility just to see the horses?

A: Yes, as we are part of the Gunpowder Falls State Park, the grounds are open to visitors dawn to dusk.  We are happy to show you around the facility and you are welcome to take pictures or pet the horses over the fence.  However for safety reasons please be aware that some of the fences are electrified, and visitors are not allowed to enter the fields/pastures.  Visitors should not enter the barns or outbuildings without being accompanied by a staff member or volunteer.  Do not feed any horses!  We have some horses with different diets or metabolic issues who can’t even have apples or carrots.  Also: they may bite you trying to get more food from you.

Q: Do you do birthday parties and/or pony rides?

A: Yes, special events can be organized through our Program Director, please call 410-663-4445 and press 1, or submit the contact for at the bottom of this page..  We can also accommodate Girl Scout/Boy Scout troops, field trips and other types of outings for organizations.

Q: Do you offer horses for lease?

A: Yes, we do offer lease ride packages on our lesson horses.  Our lease packages required weekly lessons with one of our instructors.  For more information please submit the contact form at the bottom of this page.