Divinity Farm provide horseback riding lessons for all ages and diciplines, Horsemanship clinics custom tailored to suit the specific need of the individual.  We will offer vaulting, western, English, gymkana, jumping and more.  Don't want to commit? Try us out and be "A Cowboy for a Day"  a 2 hour personal private lesson on Horsemanship 101.  Or a "Cowboy for a day" makes a great gift idea, gift certificates are available.    Join us at one of our professional Clinic's, presentations by Licensed Instructors and Therapist's covering subjects such as natural horsemanship, ground training, hippotherepy and more.  Be sure to keep checking back.  Or email us mariahurley@divinityfarm.com

Hunt Seat, Dressage, On the flat as well as over jumps.  Basic western, neck reining and more. 

Mommy & Me Program - I have been doing this some time now with  background in child care, toddler, therapeutic hippotherapy.  The child and their guardian/adult person share 30 minutes of  quality,fun pony time both learning & incorporating fundementals of fine motor skills, song, games and puzzles. Teaching and learning with one another. A plan is implemented specifically for the learning challenges of the age of the child.  The guardian/parent/adult fully participates in the learning of texture, surroundings and fun play incorporating the use of the horse. 

Vaulting -  Divinity teaches the basic postion's of vaulting, it is fun and educational for all.  It's common goal is to build confidence and balance on the horse.  Vaulting is the foundation for Divinity's "Theraputic Riding Program".

Theraputic Riding:

Divinity offers this program to those who have the desire to ride and may have some dissabilites.  Vaulting is used as a technique to support this program.

Ground Training:

Round Penning - Student will learn the importance and fundamentals of round pen training.  This will build a strong foundation, trust and relationship between the horse and human.  Student will learn to "join up" with their horse.  Student will learn through energy how to train their horse in a natural approach manner.  Techniques used from Pat & Linda Parelli Monty Roberts & other Natural Horsemanship Mentors.

In recent years, "natural" horsemanship trainers have brought round pen training into forefront when it comes to training horses. This type of training employs the round pen to build a basic foundation or to re-train an older horse instead of using traditional methods. What's the basis of this type of training? Well, round pen training is actually derived from behavior modification principles used in training any type of animal, including horses. On a side note, these techniques also work with people.

Round Pen training uses rewards in the form of body language that mimic the horse's natural herd instincts to encourage the desired behavior. Results are usually seen very quickly and a strong bond is often formed between horse and human through these training methods.

A study at Michigan State University shows that by the seventh training session in a round pen, horses react with a predictable response in as little as six repetitions rather than the 60 it took in the first session (Nielson, B & A. Zanella). Once the behavior is learned, it is embedded for life as long as the horse receives the same consistent human responses.

Round pen training is an invaluable tool to teach a basic education for beginning horses or remedial work for older horses.

Horses have a natural instinct called “fight or flight”. Using a round pen, a handler can avoid the dangers of the fight response and maximize the benefits of the flight response. Round pens allow the horse to mentally escape from the pressure of the human, giving them time to think over what response they should be giving. If the handler were to use a lounge line in a pasture or arena, the scene often appears to be a struggle, while in reality, the horse is simple trying the flee.

The design of the round pen is yet another advantage in that it maximizes the horse's thinking capacity. There are no corners for the horse to “hide” in which limits his options for controlling the situation. This focuses the horse's behavior on the trainer. By having enough room to move away (flee) and think about what is being asked, the horse will learn that cooperating with people is the easier decision to make. The trainer must keep in mind, however, that there should be specific lesson plans for each session since mindless running of laps will actually give the horse time to “tune out” the human. Using round pen training with a calm focused plan, can afford a trainer and horse a safe environment for establishing a line of clear communication. Of course, every horse is different, but round pen training consistently produces positive results in a relatively short amount of time. Learning the appropriate techniques and working your horse in a properly built round pen are the keys to fast results and long term success.

Lunging - The benefits & necessity of lunging

Correct Leading & Ground Manners  

Desensitiving from the ground - Teaching your horse through trust how to become accustomed to it's surroundings and unfamiliar sounds and objects, that may initially cause fear, spooking and/or flight.  By learning the basics and giving your horse thorough exposure to elements your horse will less likely panic, spook or become frightened during training, riding, trail riding, trailering, showing and other activities. 

Ride to Music - Some of my lessons are performed using music, learn not only to ride, learn to dance..........................with the horse.  Riding to Music is a great way to learn the rythym of the horses footfalls and ride in harmony to the beat of the hoof. Learning to relax and enjoy the movement of the horse. 

Divinity Farm at Stone Ridge Farm is offering through Pentucket Community Education a "special program" called "Horse Back Riding with Divinity Farm" running for 2 week this summer.  July 12 - 16, 9 am - 12 pm and July 26 - 29, 9 am - 12 pm

Incoming camps - Fun for all!  We offer local camps and recreational programs the opportunity to visit our facility for "Horsemanship 101" a 2 hour visit, learn all about horses.  What they eat, daily maintenance, play the horse anytomy game, take a horseback ride and go home with some great info and neat stuff from Divinity Farm/ Stone Ridge Farm.  Buses are welcome. 

Divinity/Stoneridge Camp -  We are in the process of implementing our own camp for the summer, stay tuned for updates.

Divinity Farm offers Pony Rides with A & Z Pony Rides.  Come on down to Salisbury Beach Saturday and Sundays from 2 - 6 at Salisbury Kartland.  Book a birthday party for double the riding fun, pony rides & Go-Kart Rides.  Bring your Birthday cake and Pizza!  We'll do the rest! Call and book yours now! 781-771-1565.