Riding Lessons
Riding Lessons
Lessons are available for children and adults with a focus on balance seat, jumping, dressage, and low-level eventing. Our riding lessons focus on general horse care practices, safety with horses, and riding to educate our students in all aspects of horsemanship. In the lesson, students learn how to brush and properly saddle and bridle the horse. Our lesson horses are available to teach you from your first ride through jumping up to 2ft.
Lesson Rates
- Half hour private: $40
- One hour private: $65
- One hour group: $55
Horsemanship Lessons
Horsemanship lessons are available for people looking to enjoy the horse experience without riding. We have a variety of groundwork activities available such as leading, grooming, horse care practices, intro to liberty work, ground driving and more. If you want to spend time learning and enjoying horses without riding, this may be a great fit for you.
Patch Wood IEA Team
What Is IEA?
The Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting youth involvement in equestrian sports. IEA offers a unique draw-based team competition format where riders do not need to own a horse or riding equipment—making the sport more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for young equestrians.
At Patch Wood Farms in Sandown, NH, we proudly host a successful IEA dressage team and welcome new riders of all experience levels. Our team typically meets once a month for practice and participates in fundraising efforts to support clinics, competitions, and special events.
If you’re looking for a supportive and professional equestrian program in Southern New Hampshire, Patch Wood Farms is the perfect place to begin.
Learn more about the IEA at RideIEA.org.
Showing, Trail Riding and Beach Riding
Showing, trail riding, and beach riding is available to our current riding students only!
Hands On Fun for Our Younger Crowd
We offer Toddler Time Pony Fun. Come experience life on the farm, meet and greet with our donkeys, goats and horses. Learn to groom a pony and have a short ride, parent involvement is required.
Winter One Day Camp
December 14th 9am-1pm
Ages 6 to 13, no experience necessary.
Winter Farm Camp is on December 14th for ages 6 to 13, no experience necessary.Have your kids come play with our horses while you get some shopping done!
Bring your horse lover for an exciting hands-on experience at the farm. Kids will learn about horses and rescue, have a short riding lesson, create festive horse-themed holiday crafts, and arm up with delicious hot chocolate.
Patch Wood Perks
Patch Wood Perks is a volunteer club run by our beginner instructor, Carissa Krotz. Students ages 9 to 17 have the opportunity to become immersed in the day-to-day experience of running a barn and caring for our lesson horses and rescues.
Volunteers work directly with the horses and assist with their daily care. The club meets most Saturdays and is open to current lesson students who demonstrate responsibility, kindness, and respect toward both their peers and the horses.
Patch Wood 4H Club
Our 4H club welcomes youth ages 6 to 18. We currently meet on the first and third Monday of each month, though the schedule can vary slightly based on activities and seasonal needs.
The heart of our club is horse rescue. Each spring, we take in a rescue horse, and members work together to support its rehabilitation throughout the summer. This experience gives students the chance to build confidence, learn empathy, and gain truly meaningful hands-on skills.
By winter, the group helps find the horse an appropriate and loving home, completing a full cycle of care and transformation.
The club is offered at no cost beyond the yearly 4H dues and provides a unique, enriching way for young people to learn about horses, teamwork, responsibility, and the real impact they can make in an animal’s life.
Boarding
Boarding is available to our current lesson students only. Board is $850 per month and includes 24/7 group turn out, 24/7 hay and high quality grain.
All three forms need to be completed prior to your first lesson
Release Form
https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/61dda81547a6d/web/
Farm Rules
https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/61e1b3807823a/web/
Riding Lesson Contract
https://waiver.smartwaiver.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect at my first lesson?
We will talk about your goals and previous experience to pick the right horse for you to work with. You will learn how to brush and safely tack up a horse and begin your mounted lesson.
How long is a lesson?
Lessons are one hour long. We also offer a half hour private lessons, primarily for our younger riders that are learning to be comfortable and safe around horses or students with their own horses.
What should I wear?
All students are required to wear:
Long pants or britches along with an ASTM/SEI certified helmet and close toed shoes with a heel. We strongly suggest investing in a safety vest as you progress in your riding career. We provide helmets here that you can use for your first lesson.
At what age do you recommend my child starts lessons?
We recommend starting lessons around age five. We do offer pony rides for younger children that just want exposure to horses in our Toddler Time Pony Fun program, ages 2 to 5. We also have a Horse Care Club for our younger horse enthusiasts that meets once a month for children ages five and up.
How are lessons scheduled?
Once you decide to become a student at Patch Wood, we will pick a day and time that works for your lesson to occur each week. Lesson schedules are set up on a monthly basis. 30 days notice is needed should you wish to discontinue your lessons at the farm.
What is the cancellation policy?
We require 24 hours notice to reschedule a makeup during the same month. Lessons cancelled with less than 24 hours notice or lessons not made up within the month are forfeited. Please try to make your lessons as we schedule each day and time monthly and work hard to make it work for us all.
What if I only want to go trail or beach riding?
For safety reasons we offer trail and beach rides for our current students only.
Does your farm go to any horse shows?
We do several horse shows each year and welcome students to attend with our lesson horses or their own horses. We also have an IEA show team and a drill team.
What if I have my own horse?
We welcome truck ins and will also travel to your facility to help you get the most out of your lesson. Please contact us for pricing.
Where can I obtain your policy and agreement forms?
Release form:
https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/61dda81547a6d/web/
Lesson Contract:
https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/61e1b5c00e5f5/web/
Farm Rules:
Can I bring my dog to your farm?
We have plenty of our own dogs and don’t allow outside dogs unless boarding.
What if I have more questions?
Please call Rhea at (978) 998 1751 or email Kathleen at Kathleen@PatchWoodFarms.com