Here are some answers to your questions about Boy Scouts, Girl Scout and Brownie Badges.

(We welcome Brownies,too!) We have 25 horses and use 8 horses in the arena at one time, (every scout rides!) We use two stations working on groundwork such as grooming, haltering, leading, tacking up and mounting. These stations rotate so that all scouts learn the required skill to earn the badge.

We are one of two stables in Contra Costa County approved by the Girl Scouts of the Northern California with a certificate on file for the required insurance coverage.

To reserve, just call to secure your date & time and place a $200 deposit  on the reservation. Your deposit is your reservation. You may pay either by credit card or a check.  We accept VISA, MASTERCARD OR DISCOVER CARD.

Full payment must be received one week in advance of each session.  If you add or delete one or two children from your reservation, please let us know 24 hours in advance and we will adjust the fee accordingly. 

A refund for cancellation of the event requires 48-hour notice. We will accept changes in dates but we do need 24 hours notice to notify our staff.  We will be happy to reschedule rain dates.

First Hour Session:

Learn the principal parts of a horse and what can be done to prevent the common ailments or diseases of horses.  Learn how to mount and dismount on our vaulting barrel, "Lumpy" before you actually ride.

Learn grooming and how to use a brush and currycomb. Learn haltering, clipping, combing and practice safe stall and barn behavior. Explain the care and use of each part of tack. Learn how to hitch a horse with a suitable knot and the correct length of lead rope and how to lead a horse safely, mounting and dismounting. See photo at right.

Second Hour Session:

Mount up and ride.  Scouts will learn the commands and aids.  These commands include: Stop, go, back up, turn and moving away from pressure. Guide a horse with supervision from the instructor. You will direct the horse at a walk and beginning trot-- tracking around the arena rail (if qualified to do this) directing a horse to turn in both directions.  They will review safe riding rules, ring manners and proper clothing to wear at the stable and while riding.

You will examine two new skills you want to learn and work with our instructor to perform them.

Dismounted instruction will include removing tack and putting away the horse. 

Finally, a barn tour and assist in feeding if appropriate.

There are other things required that we will discuss such as what kind of feed do we feed our horses and what kind of treats.

Siblings are ok to attend the session at the same price based on space availability.

Signed release forms are required for each student and must be in our possession before the session begins. No child will be allowed on a horse without a signed release from its parent.  To schedule your sessions and receive a release form, contact our office at (925) 937-7661.

Or you can Email us to inquire and ask for a copy of the form. We will send it to you as an attachment.

Dates are all open for the 2009 season! Get your reservation in now for best selection.

Girl Scouts learning how to groom
horses on their first session

Learning to lead your horse correctly is part of the Scout experience. This young lady is ready for a Western lesson. We will review both English and Western riding disciplines.

Mounting and dismounting safely will be covered before you learn the principles of riding.

Our horses are gentle and experienced with children.

What the scout leaders are saying about our program:

My name is Dayna Broussard and I am the leader of Junior Troop 2044, and as Claudia Bogumil, my Co-leader stated in her letter, it was a very enjoyable and knowledgeable day for me and my girls.  Most of all as not a mom of a handicap child, you are never sure what you are signing up your kids for and what they are going to learn, let alone knowing how a facility such as yours would incorporate a handicap child.  Your staff made all my kids feel great about themselves and helped them get over their fears of going near the horses, brushing, feeding, and riding.  The most amazing part for me was Heather and how she took Faith under her wings and treated her as just one of the girls.  In my years with Faith five or so now, this is a struggle her mom has that people do not understand limitations or strengths of Faith or any handicap person for that matter, and Heather was teaching her to be one of the girls and showing her what she could do and succeed.  Faith was grinning from ear to ear, as were all the other girls. 

This alone made for a great day and I cannot thank you and your staff enough.  I will get that picture to you shortly, and again, Thank you so very much for everything your staff did for all my girls last weekend. Dayna Broussard, Leader Troop 2044

"Thank you so much for the great day yesterday!  The girls had a FABULOUS time!!!  They couldn’t quit talking about it all the way home.  They were so excited to get to ride and earn their Girl Scout badge at the same time!!!  We will definitely recommend your program to other Junior Girl Scout troops!"  Sue Weiler-Doke, Martinez

"Dear Nancy:
We all had a great time learning about horses and riding at your ranch. The teachers were very good and the girls came away with a new understanding of horses. Best Regards,"
Lin Teichman Troop 1931