Friendly Trails
Center for Equine Assisted Leadership
 Holistic Training for Horses and Humans

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Home  Summer Camp  Programs & Services  News & Events  About Us  Client Area

 

Training Programs    

Training for horse and owner can be focused on any of these areas: starting younger horses, working with horses displaying specific vices, working with troubled horses, general tune-ups, and providing horse-owner support. All training clients are highly encouraged to participate in up to two training sessions each week at no additional charge.

  •     Half Training is $390 a month and offers 3 training days per week.
  •     Full Training is $515 a month and offers 5 training days per week.

* Please note these fees do not include ranch boarding charges.

Capability Curriculum

We foster and hold in high expectation these abilities in the members of our community:

  • DEPENDABILITY—You will do what you say you will do
  • CAPABILITY—You can do what you say you will do.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY—We can count on you to take responsibility for your actions, remaining mindful and not placing blame.

.... read more about the Capability Curriculum.

Progress through the Capability Curriculum is self-paced and monitored by Friendly Trails equine-assisted learning instructors. The levels are:

  • Level I – Balance

  • Level II – Confidence

  • Level III – Independence

  • Level IV – Teamwork (in the co-op and with your horse)

  • Level V – Leadership

  • Level VI – Apprenticeship

Lesson Programs

  •     Trailblazers (Ages 4-14)  View Trailblazer contract here
    • This popular program offers the chance to ride 1 day a week in a weekly private or semi-private lesson (at instructor's discretion once students have progressed). The fee is $265 a month for the first family member. Payment for the first and last month are required at time of enrollment: $530. Enrollment may be terminated with 30 days notice. For families with more than one Trailblazer, the monthly fee is $515 for two members and $765 for three.
  •     Sponsorship (Ages 9 and Up) View the Path to Sponsorship here
    • Friendly Trails usually has a few wonderful horses available for sponsorship. This three day/week (about 3 hours each day) program includes riding two days a week (once is in a group lesson and all rides are supervised) as well as a third participation day each week where horse care, barn management, and  horse ownership tasks are taught and shared. Sponsors and their parents participate in the Friendly Trails co-op with a time commitment roughly equivalent to two hours/week per sponsor. The fee is $415 per month for first family member. Families with two sponsors pay $800 per month.
    • Sponsorship half-training is a three day/week program that does not require parent involvement. Half-training Sponsors are at the ranch three days/week for two hours. $640 per month.
  •     Individual Lessons (All Ages 2 to adult)
    • One hour private lessons are $75 on a Friendly Trails horse; $65 on your own horse. Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance.
    • Adult lesson programs combine horse training and equine assisted leadership. View details here.
    • Parents with children ages 2-5 may attend Mommy/Daddy and Me private lessons. Half hour lesson fee is $45.
  •     Kinderhorse
  •     Equine Assisted Learning

    All Friendly Trails Students are welcome to participate in the summer schooling shows that happen in the local area, and play days and other fun events are held on the ranch itself throughout the year.

*** Click here for Dress Code for the various programs ***

Evaluations

Alane will be happy to assist you to evaluate the suitability of a horse you may want to purchase.  The right match between owner and horse is critical, as is understanding the natural strengths, limitations and personality of each animal. Rates for evaluations are $65 per hour and travel time will be charged outside of a 10 mile radius. You should plan on at least 2 hours for an evaluation unless the animal shows obvious issues.

Click here for Summer Programs

Members Co-op Program

Friendly Trails offers an exceptional co-op program for horse owners.  A small investment of time and energy that pays off BIG for your horse(s).

How it works: Owners pay standard board rates directly to the ranch owners, and then are responsible for $40 a month to the co-op program, plus occasional special assessment fees for one-time purchases (which have to be pre-approved by a majority of co-op members); and then owner is also responsible to contribute horsekeeping "labor" to the co-op each week. This includes a horse moving shift once a week, sometimes supplemental feeding, hoof cleaning, blanketing, etc., plus assistance with manure management throughout the week. In all, it is usually a time commitment of a couple of hours a week to the co-op per horse in the co-op.

What co-op members get in return: Simply put, a level of care for your horse that is almost impossible to duplicate outside of a home facility! Your horse gets all day turnout, to be moved in between herds for exceptional socialization, to be blanketed as needed, fly masked as needed, have the feet cleaned every day, groomed on a regular basis... all in addition to what you do with your horse on your own!  Additionally the horses are offered a high quality organic garlic and vitamin/mineral nutritional supplement 6 days a week.

If you are like most people that board horses and have a busy family life, you typically get to the barn between 3-5 days a week.  By actively contributing to the welfare of the entire co-op herd when you can come out, you assure your horse is getting wonderful attention 7 days a week.

Co-op membership is open to clients of Friendly Trails. This includes students, sponsors, and owners with horses in part or full-time training. There is a one-time $175 fee to join.

Friendly Trails Vacation Policy Reminder

Friendly Trails Riding School is closed for 6 Bank Holidays and 4 vacation weeks in each calendar year.

The Holidays are:

  •  Memorial Day
  •  4th of July
  •  Labor Day
  •  Thanksgiving/Day After
  •  Christmas
  •  New Year's Day

The 4 weeks of vacation are:

  • 1 week at Christmas
  • “Spring Break” April 12-17
  • 2 weeks in Summer

These holidays are incorporated into the annual fee for each program.

Contact Information

Mailing Address: PO Box 1092, Woodacre, CA 94973  
Ranch Address:  700 Nicasio Valley Blvd, Nicasio CA 94946
Telephone: 415-203-6600
E-mail: friendlytrails@sbcglobal.net
 Webmaster: mybandwidth@yahoo.com (website issues only please)