What is Hands on Horses™?
Hands on Horses™ (HOH) is our trademark pending Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) program. At Todd Hill Farm, we believe that horses are the best teachers. In all branches of HOH, participants and their equine partners work through thought provoking challenges, create meaningful relationships, and learn about themselves.
What Makes HOH Special?
Prior to putting together the program, our HOH co-founders, Dawn and Karen, dedicated themselves to the study of Equine Assisted Learning. They noticed a lot of repetition in different EAL training courses, as well as some things which were flat out dangerous! With this in mind, they set out to create an EAL program which was safe, could provide meaningful self insights, and was horse-centric. From this, Hands on Horses was born!
What is Equine Assisted Learning?
Equine assisted learning is a method of discovering and learning new tools which can help you in your day to day life. Our EAL programs pair small groups (2-4 people) with a horse for different challenges and activities. This program promotes self-reflection, non-verbal communication, verbal communication, teamwork, and more. EAL is also extremely fun! EAL is lead by the horses in partner with an HOH facilitator.
What is Equine Assisted Therapy?
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT) differs from EAL in that it is co-lead by a therapist, and is therefore better equipped to process larger emotions and experiences, such as trauma, anxiety, depression, etc. In EAT, the horses are still the main teachers and the activities still take place, but a licensed therapist is present and the activities are amended to allow for further emotional exploration.
For more information about current EAL and EAT programs, please visit the Dates, Times and Duration’s Tab or Contact Us for more information.
Who is HOH for?
Hands on Horses™ is for anyone who is interested in having fun, and learning more about themselves! We offer both EAL and EAT at Todd Hill Farm, for youth, teens, and adults. If you are unsure if you’d like to try EAL or EAT, we can help you evaluate your goals so you can make that choice.
THESE ARE NON-RIDING PROGRAMS
NO HORSE EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Hands on Horses™ Facilitator Program
We are now offering a facilitator training program for those interested in starting their own branches of Hands on Horses™. Please see the Dates, Times & Duration’s Tab or contact Dawn Josey for more information.
HANDS ON HORSES: youth 8 – 12, teen 13-17 and adult 18+. No experience is required.
HANDS ON HORSES FACILITATOR: Significant experience required. No certification necessary. Please contact Katelyn for more information.
Participants should dress for the weather and wear solid footwear. Helmets are required for children 12 and under.
HANDS ON HORSES: Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) – All programs run for 60 minutes and are 4 weeks in length
Program Name: Youth Leadership Groups
Next Program Run Dates: (Intro) August 7th – 28th & (Advanced) September 4th – 25th,
Session Time: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Instructor: Dawn Josey & Trish Pittman
Program Name: Walking with the Herd
Next Program Run Dates: September 14th – October 5th
Session Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Instructor: Dawn Josey & Trish Pittman
Program Name: Horse Play
Next Program Run Dates: October 5th – 26th
Session Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Instructor: Dawn Josey & Trish Pittman
Program Name: Hands-on Life Skills – Executive Functioning
Next Program Run Dates: November 3rd – 24th
Session Time: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Instructor: Katelyn McElman & an Assistant Facilitator
HANDS ON HORSES FACILITATOR PROGRAM
Program Length: 3 full-day program
Session Length: 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Next Program Run Dates: September 16th – 18th
Cost:
HANDS ON HORSES™:
All Equine Assisted Therapy Courses are $585.00 + tax (contact your insurance provider, this course may be covered)
All Equine Assisted Learning Courses are $ 295.00 + tax (Children’s groups are tax exempt)
HANDS ON HORSES™ FACILITATOR PROGRAM: Please contact us for pricing.
How to pay:
We accept the following methods of payment:
- EFT to lessons@toddhillfarm.com (we have automatic deposit, so no password is required)
- Cheque (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Cash (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Credit Card (Visa, MC, Amex) * $10 admin fee will be added
Grass Roots Horsemanship is where all beginning riders between the ages of 8 – 12 should start.  It is designed to provide a solid foundation for children new to the sport of horseback riding.
Grass Roots Horsemanship is a prerequisite for all new students between the ages of 8 – 12 who are not yet able to be independent on the back of a horse. Grass Roots Horsemanship will provide a solid foundation for children new to the sport of horseback riding.
Lesson PLAN |
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|---|---|
| Week One |
Registration and Horse Handling
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| Week Two |
All About Prep
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| Week Three |
Balance, Horse parts, and Equipment
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| Week Four |
Intro to Riding & Unmounted Games
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| Week Five |
Gaining Independence in the Saddle & All About Tack
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| Week Six |
Intro to Trot, Eyes, Rein aids, and the Healthy Horse
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| Week Seven |
Recital Prep
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| Week Eight |
Recital
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This program is for beginner riders between the ages of 8-12. No experience is necessary for this course.
Children participating in this program will be required to wear appropriate and safe attire, including a safety helmet specifically designed for riding (ie bike helmet would not be acceptable), boots with a small heel (rubber boots are fine), comfortable pants or breeches and gloves in cold weather. Todd Hill Farm does have helmets available to borrow.
Program Run Dates: April 9th – May 28th (2023) – This program is full and no longer accepting wait list registrations – Check back soon for new dates
Program Length: 8 Weeks
Session Length: 120 Minutes
Week Day: Sunday
Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Cost:
$485.00 is the cost of the 8 week program. A non-refundable deposit is required to hold the spot.
All participants will receive a certificate of achievement and will participate in a Grass Roots Horse Show to show off what they have learned.
How to pay:
We accept the following methods of payment:
- EFT to lessons@toddhillfarm.com (we have automatic deposit, so no password is required)
- Cheque (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Cash (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Credit Card (Visa, MC, Amex) * $10 admin fee will be added
Thank you for your interest in the Grass Roots Program. Please fill out the form below or, if you are looking for registration information or have questions about the Grass Roots program, please Contact Us.
As a reminder, Grass Roots is only available for children aged 8-14.
This program is full – Please check back soon for new dates
Our Short Stirrup program is perfect for young riders who are new to the sport but have acquired some independence on horseback. Students must be able to groom and tack up on their own, as well as adjust their tack, mount, steer, walk, trot and halt safely. If they are not quite at this level, we recommend our SHORT STIRRUP PREP CAMP.
Short Stirrup Prep Camp is an intensive but fun 6 hour camp held over a week-end (3 hours on Saturday and 3 hours on Sunday).  It is designed to give recent Grass Roots graduates the final touches they need to be secure and confident in riding and controlling their horse. Â
The camps will be offered over several week-ends to be able to accommodate as many students as possible, while still maintaining the low numbers necessary for the best learning experience.  This camp is also recommended for students who were not able to participate in Grass Roots because they were older than 12 (we are offering this camp to children up to the age of 15).
During Short Stirrup Prep Camp, students will be riding a variety of horses, practicing proper position (equitation), balance and stability, learning to effectively steer and control the horse, learning about the riding aids (how the rider communicates with the horse).  Obstacle courses and games will be used to challenge the riders and keep the experience fun.  Students can attend more than one camp if needed.
This program is for riders between the ages of 8-15. The Grass Roots Horsemanship program must be completed before enrolling in the Short Stirrup Camp. Previous graduates of Grass Roots will be contacted for enrolment.
Children participating in this program will be required to wear appropriate and safe attire, including a safety helmet specifically designed for riding (ie bike helmet would not be acceptable), boots with a small heel (rubber boots are fine), comfortable pants or breeches and gloves in cold weather.
Program Run Dates: November – December & June – July (Short Stirrup is currently full)
Program Length: 2 days
Session Length: 240 Minutes
Week Day: Saturday & Sunday
Time: 9:00am-1:00pm
Cost:
$200.00 is the cost of this camp. A non-refundable deposit is required to hold the spot.
All participants will receive a certificate of achievement.
How to pay:
We accept the following methods of payment:
- EFT to lessons@toddhillfarm.com (we have automatic deposit, so no password is required)
- Cheque (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Cash (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Credit Card (Visa, MC, Amex) * $10 admin fee will be added
The Short Stirrup Lesson Program follows a similar structure as all regular Todd Hill Farm Lessons. There is no “start date” or “end date”. Once enrolled in Short Stirrup, students are required to give 30 days notice to end or suspend lessons. Short Stirrup is what we call the beginning rider level and is approximately equivalent to Equestrian Canada’s Learn to Ride Level 1.Â
To be accepted to the Short Stirrup program, students must be able to tack up their horse with assistance and walk, trot, steer and halt independently (without a leader). Short Stirrup lessons are 1 hour in length. Students are asked to arrive 30 minutes before lesson start time to bring the horse in, groom and tack up.Â
The first 15 minutes of the lesson will be spent going over basic reminders, practicing tack adjustment and mounting and doing some mounted exercises. The remaining 45 minutes will be spent on helping students progress in their riding skills, including their equitation, control of the horse and riding over and through obstacles. Once students are learning to canter, they can progress to the next level – called Level 2.
Lessons are invoiced monthly at a flat rate that includes tax:
Regular Lessons (One lesson per week): $225
Twice-as-Nice (two lessons per week): $400
Thrice-as-Nice (three lessons per week): $600
This program is for riders between the ages of 8-15. Independent Rider Status is required.
Children participating in this program will be required to wear appropriate and safe attire, including a safety helmet specifically designed for riding (ie bike helmet would not be acceptable), boots with a small heel (rubber boots are fine), comfortable pants or breeches and gloves in cold weather.
Program Run Dates: Year-round
Program Length: Ongoing
Session Length: 60 Minutes
Week Day: Various
Time: Various
Cost:
$250.00/month is the cost of this ongoing lesson. Taxes included.
How to pay:
We accept the following methods of payment:
- EFT to lessons@toddhillfarm.com (we have automatic deposit, so no password is required)
- Cheque (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Cash (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Credit Card (Visa, MC, Amex) * $10 admin fee will be added
Thank you for your interest in the Short Stirrup Program. Our program is currently full and our wait list is closed. We will make an announcement prior to re-opening registration.
The Todd Hill Farm English Riding Program follows Equestrian Canada’s Learn to Ride model from Level 2 through Level 8.  Level 2 is the next step above Short Stirrup and so on.  Students are not required to have Equestrian Canada certification; their placement in a lesson will be based on their actual riding experience and ability.  Each lesson is assigned a Level and we make our best effort to have students in each group riding at the same level.  This allows the lesson structure to flow smoothly and ensures that all students are progressing at a similar pace and are sufficiently challenged.Â
We also like to keep age groups together whenever possible and have separate adult-only lessons. If all students in a lesson are advancing to the next level, their ride time may stay the same and the instructor will assign that lesson a new Level (IE – a Level 2 lesson may become a Level 3 lesson).  If one student progresses faster than another, they will be invited to move up to a higher level lesson group.
Students coming to Todd Hill Farm from another facility are required to have an Assessment lesson. This is a one hour private session that will include stable management, grooming, tacking up and riding.  If a student is riding at a higher level than their stable management level, they will be placed into a lower level group until they develop the skills in stable management to move up. Assessment lessons are $75, tax included. Â
Regular lessons are 1 hour in length and can usually include 3 – 5 riders.  Students are asked to arrive 30 minutes before lesson start time to bring the horse in, groom and tack up. We do not offer private lessons. Lessons run all year long and 30 days notice is required  to end or suspend lessons.  All new students are provided with a program guide book that includes our lesson program policies, farm rules and dress code.
Lessons are invoiced monthly at a flat rate that includes tax:
Regular Lessons (One lesson per week): $225
Twice-as-Nice (two lessons per week): $400
Thrice-as-Nice (three lessons per week): $600
This program is for riders 8-adult. Independent Riding Status is required. Please contact us for details.
Students are required to wear appropriate and safe attire, including a safety helmet specifically designed for riding (ie bike helmet would not be acceptable), boots with a small heel (rubber boots are fine), comfortable pants or breeches and gloves in cold weather.
Program Run Dates: Year-round
Program Length: Ongoing
Session Length: 60 Minutes
Week Day: Various
Time: Various
Cost:
$250.00 per month is the cost of this ongoing program. Taxes Included.
How to pay:
We accept the following methods of payment:
- EFT to lessons@toddhillfarm.com (we have automatic deposit, so no password is required)
- Cheque (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Cash (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Credit Card (Visa, MC, Amex) * $10 admin fee will be added
Todd Hill Farm is pleased to offer the Equestrian Canada Learn to Ride Certification, also known as “Rider Levels.” Equestrian Canada has a well organized skills progression program where participants can demonstrate the skills and knowledge they have acquired and be tested to a standardized level.Â
These levels run from  P’tit Trot though 8 and are progressive. A good comparison would be to swimming levels or piano levels, which most people are familiar with. Todd Hill Farm supports Sport Nova Scotia and the NS Equestrian Federation as well as the national governing body of Equestrian Canada. Rider Level testing is done by an outside, unbiased tester. There are 3 components to the test: a written test, a stable management test and a riding test.
Students should test at the skill they are currently ride at or even one below, as the testing process can be stressful. The instructor will be required to sign off on the level being tested at or challenged. If a student has never been tested before, they can “challenge” a Level.  They would be required to do the written test up to and including the Level they are challenging, but would just be test on Stable Management and Riding at the higher level. Todd Hill Farm encourages all students to participate in the Rider Level Lecture Series which will occur over a 6 week period prior to test day.
PLEASE NOTE: We are pleased to announce upcoming Rider Level Prep Camps for existing students. Please check back for more information.
- Demonstrate good position & knowledge of aids
- Adjust tack
- Mount and dismount properly
- Know safe horse handling practices
- Post the trot even if they don’t know diagonals
- Know how to change diagonal when asked
- Slow down, stop, turn
- Demonstrate independent seat
- Know parts of horse & equipment
- Clean tack and put bridle away properly (figure-8)
- Lead correctly and take off / put on halter
- All of the previous level plus;
- Know face markings
- List food eaten by horse and why
- Know how often farrier should visit
- Know reasons for and methods of cleaning tack
- Know how whip/crop should be held
- Know posting diagonals – even if they get it wrong sometimes
- Effective and efficient transitions between halt/walk/trot
- Canter safely even if they don’t understand leads
- Accuracy in riding patterns
- Riding 20m circle
- Demonstrate 2-point position
- Demonstrate independence of seat, leg and hand
- All of the previous level plus;
- Disassemble & assemble snaffle bridle
- Recognized & describe basic horse ailments
- Put on and remove blanket with leg straps
- Tying up hay net
- Safety knot
- Knowledge of equipment
- Steady & sympathetic contact with horses mouth
- Proper ring reverse
- Describe and demonstrate a half-halt
- Accuracy in transitions
- Rising & sitting trot without stirrups
- Canter independently and know leads
- Change rein on short diagonal
- Consistent knowledge of diagonals
- Jump a cross-rail with straight approach & departure at the canter
- Canter a course of cross-rails while maintaining control
- Demonstrate solid base of support over fences
- All of the previous level plus
- Identify 6 different snaffle bits
- Explain bits and their uses
- Know how to clip ears and bridle path & pull mane
- Know how to measure a horse
- Explain and demonstrate proper warm-up
- Demonstrate bend
- Jump a course of 2 feet
- Use aids independently
- Drop & regain stirrups at canter
- Canter an accurate 15m circle
- Simple changes
- Demonstrate short, medium & long releases
- Count and control strides
- All of the previous level plus
- Know how to take temperature, pulse & respiration
- Know how the body uses water
- Know some skin conditions & possible treatments
- Demonstrate standing wrap and polo wrap
- Know how to maintain rhythm and relaxation
- Know how to make a horse track up
- Know 5 different rein aids and how to use them
- Jump a height of 2’3”
- Turn on the forehand
- Non-progressive transitions
- Use of body language
- Jump gymnastic without stirrups
- Lunge a horse at all 3 gaits with control
- All of the previous level plus
- Demonstrate neat braiding
- Discuss various lamenesses, how to diagnose and treat
- Demonstrate first aid bandage
- Explain how to load and transport horses safely
- Ride forward from leg to hand
- Maintain rhythm, regularity & evenness of pace
- Jump a course of 2’6”
- Demonstrate stride control
- Consistent bend and pace
- Correct position with and without stirrups at all paces
- Simple change through walk
- Correct shape and changes of bend
- Smooth and accurate transitions
- Turn on the haunches
LECTURES |
Written Tests |
Stable Management & Riding Tests: |
|---|---|---|
| February 14 – March 21, 2022 | March 21 – March 27, 2022 | P’Tit Trot – Level 2: Sunday March 27 |
| Monday: 6:00pm – 7:30pm | Various Times Available | Level 3: Saturday April 2, 2022 |
| Levels 4+: Sunday April 3, 2022 |
The Rider Level Certifications are available to any current rider that wants to challenge it with Independant Rider Plus Status.
For current THF students only.
Program Run Dates: February – April
Program Length: 2 Months
Session Length: 90 Minutes
Week Day: Various
Time: Various
Cost:
To be announced. Please contact us with any questions.
How to pay:
We accept the following methods of payment:
- EFT to lessons@toddhillfarm.com (we have automatic deposit, so no password is required)
- Cheque (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Cash (in a sealed THF payment envelope placed in the secure lockbox in the barn)
- Credit Card (Visa, MC, Amex) * $10 admin fee will be added