Livery Equestrian Camp LLC

07/08/2024

We have an unexpected opening for the rest of this week!!!! Sadly one of our kiddos is sick. We have a very nice group of kids.
Six is our maximum this week so lots of riding time.

04/19/2024

Excited for next weeks camp!!!
April camp is always the best !!!
Summer still has openings PLUS we have opened up more lesson time, and can take new riders!!!

04/15/2024

We have a great IEA team right here!
If you want more information, please call or message

IEA provides competitions, educational programs, and scholarships for youth riders in grades 4-12.

04/15/2024

Check out RideIEA's video.

03/16/2024

Sign up for April Camp! 3 openings left !

02/23/2024

Camp sign ups are rolling in, it seems like spring might be coming soon 🙏🙏🙏🙏

The July 1st week for camp is prorated.
For younger kids it’s just Mon , Tues, Wed.
Thur is the 4th which is a non camp day.
Some kids like to join us in the parade. That can be arranged on advance, same price as a day of camp ❤️

01/14/2024

Happy New Year!!!
Big plans for camps, lessons . Leasing , showing and IEA coming soon!!!!
We have added a few horses to the farm, lost our dear Classy ❤️, it’s been a whirlwind of emotions around here! Camps are starting to fill.
If you want to do weekly lessons, we are taking sign ups . We do have some rare openings this year !!
Stay tuned!

Livery Equestrian camp is a full service horse farm that specializes in children's riding programs.

09/21/2023

I don't believe we ever say goodbye

Loosing a horse is so deeply personal and we all deal with the grief in different ways, we often have our hearts shattered many times but we always find a tiny piece that remains intact for some of us horses are a way of life and not a lifestyle

They are part of us, they are what makes us whole we are not complete without them

I don't believe we ever truly lose them, I think they set you on the path to find them once again it may be just a look a horse gives you that reminds you of the one you lost, it maybe you have that feeling that this is the right horse, there is a comfortable familiarity about them even though you may never have seen that horse before

Our hearts do mend but not completely for each horse lost leaves a tiny imprint that lasts eternal

Their time maybe done, the lessons they were here to teach you have been taught, and over the years each one will make way for new lessons to be learnt but they will always be with you

We are drawn to the horse that needs us and we to them, we can never explain we just know and maybe its simply because we already know them

09/01/2023

Idlewood Equestrian Foundation will help bridge the gap of my above post.
This non profit is working very hard to make this sport for everyone

I am blown away by what can be accomplished with the generosity of others. We couldn’t have done this without our partners, sponsors, all those who donated, and our wonderful community.

A massive thank you to HITS Horse Shows for their extremely generous donation and support that allowed us to run our program at the beautiful Vermont Summer Festival Horse Show.

Thank you Livery Equestrian Camp LLC for allowing me to borrow two of the most saintly horses that have every existed - I would be nowhere without your support over the past 5 years 🦄💕🦄

And thank you EquiFit for keeping our horses happy, healthy, and comfortable with our favorite shampoo and boots all week.

We can’t wait for the next one!!

09/01/2023

On the Insane Expense that has become Riding

I love horses. If you know me, you know I've always been a crazy horse girl. As such, I belong to several FB Groups that discuss all kinds of horse topics.

Today, one contributor was asking the group if it is possible to find a horse that could work toward the Green Incentive Finals for less than $100,000 dollars. One-Hundred-Thousand-Dollars. They were basically laughed off the page. She was told she might do better if she traveled to Europe, purchased a horse there and then imported it to the US. Then spend years of training to make it up. Or, be prepared to spend at least $200,000.

The Green Hunter Incentive Program, according to USHJA, was designed to encourage the development of green horses. Green horses, meaning not a seasoned pro. Fence heights for the GI Program range from 3' - 3'9". A three-foot horse is kind of the bread and butter of USHJA riding. A 3'9" horse is more "high-end." So, this person is looking for a green, 3' horse that could be trained and potentially move up to 3'3" or more. For $200,000?

This person wasn't looking for a horse that could win the finals, just go. The same forum explained to the author of this post that a semi-decent entry-level horse will cost about $50,000. If it can stay sound. I mean, it's just a $50K horse, what do you expect?

The median US income is under $35,000 a year. Clearly, our sport is already an elitist pursuit. Normal people, college educated with a good 9-5, for example, can't begin to participate much less compete. The average household income for college graduates is between $60,000 - $70,000.

The middle layer of equestrians is being squeezed out. You know, those of us who don't have trust funds or four houses, private jets, or famous parents. The current level of expense isn't a sustainable business model for the industry. Without the middle level of owners, riders, and trainers, the entire system will collapse.

We are the ones who "fund" the shows that offer classes for the elite. We buy enough tack, meds, clothing, horse show entries, etc. to keep everyone working. Without us, everything falls apart. Tack stores will go out of business. Your vet won't have enough regular clients to maintain their practice. Shows that can't fill their lower level classes can't afford to run.

But, normal people can't drop two or three years' worth of salary on a horse. It just isn't responsible or frankly, moral. I understand that to produce a horse that can step into a finals ring at a national level event, you need money. People don't have to compete at that level. But, the astronomical prices at the top have filtered down. We are subsidizing the sport to keep the infrastructure in place, but we are being squeezed out.

Our sport needs a reality check. Bring back the B and C rated shows. Allow riders with a day job a chance to participate without having to pick between an IRA or horse ownership. Stop catering to only to the mega-wealthy.

08/15/2023

Corporate team building is our newest offering at the farm.

Our Implementation Team recently attended an equine-assisted teambuilding activity to learn more about using empathy and compassion in problem-solving…

08/14/2023

I am blown away by what can be accomplished with the generosity of others. We couldn’t have done this without our partners, sponsors, all those who donated, and our wonderful community.

A massive thank you to HITS Horse Shows for their extremely generous donation and support that allowed us to run our program at the beautiful Vermont Summer Festival Horse Show.

Thank you Livery Equestrian Camp LLC for allowing me to borrow two of the most saintly horses that have every existed - I would be nowhere without your support over the past 5 years 🦄💕🦄

And thank you EquiFit for keeping our horses happy, healthy, and comfortable with our favorite shampoo and boots all week.

We can’t wait for the next one!!

08/12/2023

Join our team! You do not need to own a horse to participate! this is open to any rider, ( the Livery does not have to be your home barn)

Check out RideIEA's video.

08/02/2023

One of my biggest frustrations in this industry is the lack of understanding and consideration for the role that lesson horses play. So often, I see riders complaining about lesson horses for a huge variety of reasons: for their perceived lack of quality or value, for having to ride one they don’t like, for not getting to ride the one they do like, for their trainer not having enough lesson horses, or for the lesson horses not being available at their convenience when their personal horse is out of commission. I’ve dealt with all of the above and I know I’ll continue to do so, but I think it’s important that people understand the reality of lesson horses, and that’s that they aren’t here for your kid to ride forever and climb the levels with your one or two lesson a week commitment. They’re here to get you started, safely and productively, while you decide just how far you want to take this.

Lesson horses are incredibly special creatures. They have to be easily caught by beginners who don’t know how to properly approach a prey animal. They have to stand like statues on the crossties while tiny kids take the better part of an hour to get them clean. They have to hold their head still while beginners jam the bit into their teeth for the fiftieth time in a row to put the bridle on. They have to stand still at the mounting block while someone stands for too long with all their weight in the left stirrup and then slams down on their back with no consideration for their comfort. They tolerantly teach riders who are unbalanced, uncoordinated, and unclear, who catch their mouths and bounce on their backs and kick at their sides, and every single time, they are expected to just come again without so much as a swish of their tail or pinning of their ears. And any time one of these horses has a moment where they act like a regular horse or force the rider to really ride, they’re labeled annoying or rude or bad or lazy or whatever.

Lesson horses are not intended to take you up the levels and jump big jumps and win all the classes. If these horses were this beginner-friendly and this tolerant AND the hack winner with an auto lead change, you couldn’t afford them! That’s not to say these horses can’t be winners if you ride them well and pull your weight, but their ability to win in the show ring is not where their real value lies. Lesson horses exist to bring new riders into the sport. To teach them the ropes and get them started, lay a foundation and prepare them to make a bigger commitment to the sport by leasing or purchasing the next step horse. Lesson horses are not responsible for chasing your Olympic dreams for you. They’re responsible for getting them started in the first place. For riders to act like a lesson horse isn’t valuable because he isn’t the winner in any company is ignorant and unfair.

Every horse you ride has something to teach you. Whether it’s the crotchety old school pony who likes to root when you’re not paying attention, or the younger lesson horse who will only pick up the right lead if you ask *just right*, or the ultra reliable skip-change king, they all will add to your toolkit that you can one day apply to the fancier model you get to take you to the next level. Don’t forget about all the lessons you learn along the way and remember that without lesson horses, you wouldn’t be riding at all!

We have the best lesson horses of all!
( in my opinion)

07/02/2023

Thanks to a donor, next weeks camp which is Monday , wed , thur and Friday can allow two discounts . I can give 30 percent off for a few kids.
Our donor has done this once already, they wish to be anonymous but we sure do thank them!

07/01/2023

05/16/2023

Livery Equestrian Camp LLC still has a few space left in summer camp!

We can also take a few more kids in the Saturday 12-3 mini camp,

We offer group lessons,
Some private lessons
And a variety of different lease option packages for 1/4 lease/ 1/2 lease on our lesson horses ( this offer is very limited and child must be at a certain level to take advantage of this.

Thanks,

Kim Lambert Johansen

04/21/2023

Still spots for April camp! Not to late to sign up for 1 or all days!
Full or 1/2 days!

04/10/2023

No lessons today!
Sorry for the short notice, something came up on my end!

03/28/2023

For the better part of a year, I’ve been looking toward what is next. The Plaid Horse inevitably mimics my journey—echoing what I am personally going through as we put each issue together. Reflected on the pages are my growth as a horseperson and a human, and that of the many people who work alo...

03/25/2023

April vacation camp!!!!!
Come join us for a fun week of riding and horse care!
8-12
Or 8-2
We will be limiting the numbers for this camp to ensure lots of riding for each kiddo! Come get a start for the season!
450 full day
325 half day.
These rates are discounted thanks to a kind person in the community who make a donation to the farm. It allowed me to lower the APRIL VACATION PRICE

03/10/2023

Tomorrow We ARE doing a mini camp from 12-2 or 12-3.
If you would like to join, let me know 🙂
Kim

03/10/2023

In German, there is a saying: “Reiten lernt man nur durch Fegen”, which translates as “Riding is only learned by sweeping”. I have often thought about this saying.

Wherever there are horses, there is a lot of work to be done: Cleaning, sweeping, brushing, feeding, repairing…It’s not only the fun sides of pushing yourself off the ground and into the saddle. Learning to ride takes commitment and discipline, and we might have to do a lot of things which are not very glorious. Sweeping teaches us humility and keeps us grounded.

For me, this saying is also about apprenticeship. You start at the bottom, you sweep, you get off your high horse and you become open to learn. You admit to yourself that you don’t know everything. Sweeping is good for our ego. If you are an apprentice, the master can afford be honest to you. You don’t pay for lessons and s/he has nothing to loose if s/he scares you off. And that kind of honesty we need if we want to develop.

When we do chores around the barn, we also have the chance to develop a more natural kind of relationship with our horses, or with horses in general. We are not directly focused on them and can observe how they interact and what they are doing.

Sweeping is also my zen practice. Whatever my troubles are, I usually feel better after the morning chores at the barn are done.

02/24/2023

Camp sign ups are open!
A few weeks have filled, but many others still have a few openings. Beginners welcome, we also have an advanced track for those who can walk trot canter , and for those who want to work on jumping / showing.
We also have limited spots for “littles” age 5-7. Website Liveryhorsefarm.com

02/10/2023

Camps are starting to fill up.
If you have not signed up yet, I can give you a heads up on what weeks are almost full
Week of June 26
Last two weeks in August.

Priority sign up is now 🙂

02/05/2023

I have had a few conversations with parents lately that strike to the heart of what we are trying to do.
After chatting with one parent who came to pick up his kid who had been at the barn much later than he originally anticipated because she had lost track of time grooming, cleaning tack, helping us, etc, he said to me: “well, at least I know if she’s here she’s not getting into trouble.” And he’s absolutely right!! All that time spending afternoons at the barn, playing with the ponies and chatting with her friends into the evening means that there’s little time left for anything other than the essentials when she gets home (eating, homework, shower, bed). There just isn’t time for anything that may have a negative impact.

I had another parent tell me that when her kid has a bad day, she’s able to come to the barn and she’s able to forget all about her bad day. The barn has that effect - a calming place where working with the horses and spending time with friends can heal the soul.

And I say it all the time: Barn Friends are the Best Friends. Barn friends get you. They understand the thing that makes you tick, without ever having to explain it. They usually come from different towns, schools, and grades, which means they are not involved in the drama that goes on at school. They are that safe support system that can listen, offer an outside perspective to life’s challenges, and because of all this, Barn friends will always have your back. That kind of face-to-face support system is so rare in today’s world of digital friends and so much time spent “connecting” on screens.

So the moral of the story? Let your kid spend more time at the barn. Let them putter, and chat, and lose track of time. If you have the means, add in the extra lessons, let them lease the pony, buy the horse, half lease. Those extra hours and days at the barn mean they are creating the tools for how to build resiliency, problem solve, take responsibility, act with kindness and empathy and they are building a support system of friends and cheerleaders, as well as building a safe space in today’s crazy world. So please, let your kid spend more time at the barn.

COpied from Capston Farm

01/28/2023

Camp tomorrow 12-2
Come ride !

01/27/2023

BY JESS ZUURBIER Becoming successful in the equine industry is nothing short of phenomenal. This is not a job, it is a lifestyle. Horses will take every penny, minute, and joule of energy that you have. It’s why many professionals are burnt out and broke. Other fields don’t understand why we giv...

01/25/2023

Recipe for raising a “horse girl”…….

You bring them home from the hospital and instead of keeping them home you let them breathe in the smell of horses every chance you get….

Then at a few months old you prop them up in the saddle and hold them there to just sit in the saddle….

When they are 3 they say they can’t pick up the horse’s hoof …you help them but then tell them they need to finish themselves…..

You let them lead the 23 yr old faithful gelding because leading the big horse makes them feel so proud….

At 4 yrs old you teach them that the horse depends on them for water, hay, grain….Dinner might be almost ready in the house, but ponies eat first …..

At 5 years old, when she falls off for the first time, you check to make sure nothings broken, wipe her tears, then you give her a leg up and tell her to get it done, because you KNOW she’s a great rider…..

At 10 years old when she doesn’t place in her class at the horse show and she’s falling apart, you ask her if her horse worked hard for her, and then you tell her that to her horse she is #1, and to keep riding, because her horse depends on her……

At 12 years old she comes home from school and tells you another kid said something mean at school to someone she knows. She then tells you she told that kid to shut their mouth and keep it to themselves…. Then she walked off with the kid that was being made fun of……

At 13 years old her friends at the barn are as close as siblings……they support her in her wins and her falls…..the barn has created relationships that are thicker than blood….

At 15 years old her first “boyfriend” breaks up with her ….. you can tell she is upset so you both head to the barn. She wraps her arms around her horse’s neck, breathes him in, and the tears flow. But you can see that resolve emerge when she’s cantering around the ring…. She tells you her horse is better than that boy any day.

You heard others say over the years…..

“Horses are too expensive!”
“She’s going to get sick from all the germs.”
“She’s going to fall off and get hurt.”
“She spends too much time at the barn.”

When she is a young woman and leaves your home, off on her next adventure, you head out to the barn. You thank her horses, you breathe them in, you wrap your arms around them because ….

Horses helped you to create a confident, self-assured, responsible, kind, nurturing, outdoors-loving, tough as nails, throws her shoulders back and stands tall, strong woman.

To all the parents raising “horse girls” keep going, you are giving them more than just riding lessons…..

By Kara LaBrie Fitch

01/04/2023

Fancy Baby Bentley