lesson Archives - Enchanted Hollow Stables

Posted on November 27, 2020December 3, 2020 by enchantedhollowstables

Riding Lesson Changes during the COVID-19 Restrictions (Executive Order 20-99)

At Enchanted Hollow Stables, we are so incredibly proud of our riding program and all of our riders, and we always do our best to operate our business as honorably and honestly as possible. That is why we make it a priority to respect the guidelines laid out by the Minnesota Department of Health and the Governor of Minnesota during these unique times.

We took a lot of time to thoroughly read through Emergency Executive Order 20-99 thoroughly, review guidance from the University of Minnesota written specifically for equestrian businesses, and discuss privately with our family what capacity we are comfortable conducting business in. We prioritize adhering to the Governor’s Executive Orders so that we are following the rules, doing our part, running our business honorably, and avoiding the fines and punishments that come from not adhering to the orders.

*Carson and a saddle club member riding this fall.*

According to the requirements laid out in Executive Order 20-99 Section 6.b., we are considered to be a business that offers an “Outdoor Recreational Activity” which DOES allow for social distancing. It’s easy to socially distance when you are on a horse!
Unfortunately, despite that fact, we do still have several changes to our day-to-day operations that will be in place until the Governor’s Order expires.
Please read this excerpt from the University of Minnesota’s website where they succinctly explain what is allowed and what is not allowed at equestrian businesses for the duration of Executive Order 20-99:

What is not permissible during Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions?
Livestock exhibitions, fairs, camps, clinics, shows, and group lessons are prohibited.
What is permissible during Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions?
Equine owners, barn managers and service providers are permitted to engage in activity that supports equine health and maintenance:
– Feeding
– Stall cleaning and manure management
– Turn-out and exercise
– Riding and training
– Breeding and reproduction
– Veterinary care
– Farrier care
Horse facilities may take these actions to effectively follow CDC guidelines:
– Schedule and stagger individual appointments to avoid person-to-person contact.
– Limit time at facilities.
– Sanitize commonly touched surfaces and shared equipment between uses.
University of Minnesota – “Caring for your horses during Minnesota’s COVID-19 restrictions”

*Riders socially distanced while riding during a horse camp this summer.*

WHAT IS CHANGING AT ENCHANTED HOLLOW DURING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER:

All regularly scheduled group riding lessons are cancelled until the end of the Governor’s Executive Order. Most of our program is based upon group riding lessons and group classes. Unfortunately, for the time being, we are unable to conduct group riding activities for individuals that are not in the same household. If you have a regularly scheduled group riding lesson time, that is put on hold until the Executive Order ends.
We ARE able to conduct PRIVATE riding lessons with individuals OR members of the same household.These will be scheduled in 50 minute increments to allow for 10 minutes in between each scheduled lesson in order to limit contact between riders. Pricing will be different for these private lessons ONLY for the duration of the Executive Order.
- $75 for one rider in one private lesson
- $50 per rider for 2 or more riders from the same household
- We will have LIMITED availability for private lessons but we will do our absolute best to fit anyone into the schedule that wants to be on it! We are blessed to have anywhere between 60-70 regular riders each week, and I worry about being able to accomodate so many riders on an individual basis, but we will do everything we can to accommodate everyone that wants to ride with us during this crazy time.
- You MUST contact Sam (612-559-3232) and Mary (612-386-0279) in a group text in order to get in touch with us and get on the schedule. You can also call 612-386-0279 directly to schedule over the phone if that is easier.
  - We have availability for booking individual riding lessons on weekdays Monday through Friday at the top of each hour between 10am and 5pm
  - This is a TEMPORARY schedule and once the restrictions are over, we will return to our regularly scheduled group riding lessons
  - Limited weekend hours will also be available on a case by case basis, please inquire if interested
SADDLE CLUB RIDERS will still have opportunities for additional time at the barn in assisting with caring for the animals.We are so thankful and appreciative of our many saddle club members that are so helpful in assisting with lessons, chores, and caring for the horses. Since caring for the animals and conducting farm chores is deemed an Essential Service, this is still something that they can do. Please get in touch with Mary and me as usual to inquire about them coming out to the farm during this time.

I think that while these are difficult circumstances, that a lot of our riders will really benefit from and enjoy some one-on-one private instruction! I am looking forward to making the best of the situation. This is also a GREAT opportunity to get your whole household out to ride together and do something fun and SAFE during a time when so many things are closed!
Please be patient and understanding with us during this stressful time! I am sad that we need to put in restrictions, because I love working with all of you and your kids every week, but I am so thankful that we are at least able to operate in a limited capacity and I am glad that we are able to do our part in the community.

*Horse camp riders on the trails during the summer.*

If you’d like to support our farm during this time, I also encourage you to check out our merchandise on our website! Every dollar goes toward the purchase of grain and hay cubes for our lesson horses. We have lots of cute shirts, sweatshirts, and other items that are perfect for Christmas. We will be updating with more in-stock items throughout the next couple weeks so keep an eye out! http://enchantedhollow.org/store/

Thank you,

Samantha Sansevere

Barn Manager & Riding Instructor

Posted on October 21, 2016October 21, 2016 by enchantedhollowstables

Trail rides, pony painting, and more at the MEA Weekend Camp!

Enchanted Hollow Stables just wrapped up Day #2 of our MEA HORSE & PONY DAY CAMP with a fun pony painting competition.

What a whirlwind the last couple of days have been. Day #3, which starts later today, is going to be the biggest group we’ve had and the busiest day yet!

Samantha, Spencer, Shane, Alaina, Brynn, Aubrey, Ann and Kaden have been so great. They’ve all pitched in and helped out in so many ways and made these days a success – either in the barn – or one-on-one helping the riders and their horses. The kids also had fun meeting Alaina’s new draft horse and donkey, our pig, goats, chickens, ducks, cats and dog.

Best of all…. by popular request … they’ve spent most of their days riding. They started the morning helping with feeding and grooming and taking horses out. Shane brought some minis in and showed the kids how to jump and do in-hand obstacles with them. Then they helped tack up their assigned horse or pony and worked on their riding skills – first in the indoor arena – and then they went out trail riding & exploring our woods and fields. We could barely get them off their horses long enough to eat their lunch today – and then we had to bribe them again with promises of finger paint and painted ponies.

If you are interested in organizing for your child to attend a day camp or mentoring day, please contact Samantha Sansevere at samanthasansevere@yahoo.com.

Posted on October 18, 2016October 19, 2016 by enchantedhollowstables

MEA Weekend Horse & Pony Day Camp

Enchanted Hollow Stables is offering a mini horse & pony camp over the MEA weekend. It is open to beginners to intermediate riders of all ages. Participants will be broken into age, size and ability groups and will have the option of working with either a miniature horse, pony or a full-size horse depending on what is appropriate and safest for them depending on their age, size and experience level so that they get the most out of their camp experience.

Each camper will be paired up, taught, guided by and mentored throughout the day by several experienced teenagers here at our barn that been riding, driving & working with ponies and horses their whole lives and have won multiple national championships in both driving & riding.

Each small group will work on age-appropriate farm chores, riding skills, games, equine nutrition and care with their mentor time during lunch break to make a fun horse-theme craft they will get to take home along with handouts about what they’ve learned during the day.

EQUINE EDUCATION: will cover equine feed and nutrition, how much hay and other types of food horses eat and need.

FARM CHORES: They will learn about about cleaning horse stalls top to bottom, re-filling water buckets, re-filling hay nets and preparing grain and supplements for each horse and pony for the next feeding.

GROOMING: They will learn to properly use each grooming tool and groom a horse top to bottom.

MASSAGE & TOUCH THERAPY: They will learn the basics of how to stretch and massage horses and create a bond and friendship with them during this process.

RIDING EDUCATION:
They will learn how to tack up those horse or pony. Learn about getting on and off your horse safely.
Asking your horse or pony to stop, go, turn and back up.
Learning an “emergency stop” and the situations that may require it.
Working on the gait transitions. Walk, trot, canter (if ready) and whoa.
Riders will get to work their horse or pony over ground poles and small jumps if they are able to do this independently. Otherwise they will be assisted and supervised by their assigned mentor on a lead line) Fun obstacles will also be set up to ride over and through in order to challenge their hand and eye coordination and bond more with their horse or pony. We will also play some team games on horse back. If everybody is doing well on there horse or pony the instructors may take them on a short trail ride though our beautiful trails and woods at the end of the day.

The ENCHANTED HOLLOW STABLES MEA HORSE CAMP is being offered Wednesday, October 19th, Thursday, October 20th & Friday October 21st. From 930AM – 230PM. (Yes it starts tomorrow)

If notified in advance we can be flexible about an earlier or later drop of and pick up of children in order to accommodate parents work schedules.

You can sign up for 1, 2 or all three days of MEA PONY CAMP.

[su_heading size=”14″]One Day: $90 Two Days: $165 Three Days: $250[/su_heading]

For safety and for being able to work one-on-one as much as possible with the kids we are limiting each day to no more than 4-5 camp participants. Please message, call or text 612-386-0279 to see what days we still have spots and instructors available and to confirm your child’s spot. You can pay via check, cash or PayPal. A barn liability waiver must also be signed prior to participation and it can be emailed to you in advance if you provide an email to us in order for you to read and sign it it in advance.

Participants should wear a sturdy boot or shoe preferably with a heel, old jeans and dressed for the weather. Layers are best. A shirt, sweatshirt, hoodie and jacket that they can take off if warm. A light-weight pair of gloves are a good idea to have along as well. If they have a riding helmet please bring it – if not we have several here. They should also pack their own lunch, water bottle and a snack.