Golden Sun Riding School

Golden Sun Riding School Family friendly farm located in New Smyrna Beach, Florida offering English and Western riding lessons, boarding, horse camps, birthday parties, and more!

11/12/2025

When we first heard the words pancreatic cancer — and later learned it had spread — our world fell apart. I promised Jenna that we would never stop fighting for her, and we kept that promise through every high and low. There were moments when fear crept in, when the waiting felt unbearable… but never once did I lose hope.

And now, because of that hope, I get to say something I never imagined I would be able to say:

Jenna is going to California. 💛✨

This next step is something we’ve prayed for, hoped for, and fought for with everything we have. It’s part of a plan with Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and Dr. Sender — a team that truly believes in Jenna and is working with us to give her every possible chance. We are beyond grateful that doors are opening that we never imagined would open for our girl.

Dr. Patrick personally called to talk about Jenna, and together, they’ve created a treatment plan designed specifically for her. They submitted what’s called a Single Patient IND — a special request to the FDA asking permission to use an experimental treatment for one specific child. Today, the doctors from California called with the final authorization — the green light we’ve been waiting for.

As of right now, we are hoping to start treatment next Wednesday. We’re just getting all the final details in place, and of course we will keep everyone posted every step of the way.

As we move closer to this next phase, reality is setting in. I’ve had to step away from work to focus fully on Jenna’s care, and we don’t yet know how long we’ll need to stay in California. The truth is, it’s hard — not just emotionally, but financially.

So many of you have already shown up for us in ways I could never repay — through prayers, meals, Venmos, messages, hugs, and love. I’m not someone who easily asks for help, but right now your support is what allows we need to breathe a little easier and stay focused on our girl instead of worrying about travel costs and bills.

If you feel led to help again — in any way — whether it’s prayer, sharing Jenna’s story, or sending a small gift toward our travel and living expenses, please know it truly lifts some of the weight from our shoulders.

💛DoorDash / UberEats gifts are also so appreciated while we’re away from home.
💛 Zelle: [email protected]

💛 Venmo: please check to make sure

last 4 are 1423

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you — for never giving up on Jenna, for standing beside us through every unknown, for being our village when we’ve needed it most.
Hope is still here. And we’re holding onto it tighter than ever. 🙏💛

If you can, please share this post to help us spread the word and keep the prayers and support going. It truly means the world to us. 💛

⸻Howdy folks!We’ve recently heard there may be some confusion about our business relocating — rest assured, we’re not go...
07/30/2025



Howdy folks!
We’ve recently heard there may be some confusion about our business relocating — rest assured, we’re not going anywhere! We will remain right here at our Lettuce lane location and are fully committed to our wonderful community.

Please note, we are not affiliated with any new riding programs that may appear in the area.

If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out!👍🐴

Howdy!! What a long hot summer it has been. Come cool off with us (in the human’s pool 🤪)!! We’ve had 1 spot open up for...
07/24/2025

Howdy!! What a long hot summer it has been. Come cool off with us (in the human’s pool 🤪)!! We’ve had 1 spot open up for horse camp next week. Last spot, last week of summer camp!! Please message us ASAP if you have a camper interested in joining us next week!

Update: Horse camp is full!!Please reach out if you would like to be put on the waitlist!!Horse camp I What a great week...
06/22/2025

Update: Horse camp is full!!
Please reach out if you would like to be put on the waitlist!!

Horse camp I What a great week we had at camp! 🐴

We have just two horse camps left this summer—and only 2 spots remaining!

If you’ve reached out but haven’t received a confirmation email from us, please contact us as soon as possible to ensure your spot is reserved.

Don’t miss out on an unforgettable week of horse-filled adventure!

Camp Dates:
🐎 July 14–18
🐎 July 28–August 1

https://goldensunridingschool.com/pages/summercamp2025s

🌾 Join Our Fun Farm Afterschool Program! 🌞Looking for an afterschool option that’s active, affordable, and full of fun? ...
06/19/2025

🌾 Join Our Fun Farm Afterschool Program! 🌞
Looking for an afterschool option that’s active, affordable, and full of fun? Our Farm-Based Afterschool Program offers:

🚐 School Pickup from even more local schools
🍎 Snacks provided daily
🐐 Outdoor Fun & Farm Play – animals, nature, and open skies!
🐴 Daily Equine Activities – safe, hands-on time with our horses
🌲 Hands-On Nature Experience – unplug and explore
💲 Lowered Prices to fit your budget
🏇 Discounted Riding Lessons for enrolled kids!

Give your child a safe, enriching, and exciting place to grow after school — surrounded by animals, friends, and nature!

📞 Spots are limited – contact us today to enroll!

Happy Monday, it’s SUMMERTIME and we are looking forward to many fantastic “through the ears” memories!!  Just a quick u...
06/02/2025

Happy Monday, it’s SUMMERTIME and we are looking forward to many fantastic “through the ears” memories!!

Just a quick update, we only have 5 spots open all summer for horse camp so please reach out asap if you would like us to hold your spot!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DvEh4E5eE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
05/17/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DvEh4E5eE/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Turnout is one of the most polarizing topics in modern horse keeping. So, let’s skip the debate. We’ve gathered some results from veterinary science, peer-reviewed journals, and international welfare assessments. These are real numbers, from real studies, so you can make strategic decisions rooted in evidence, not tradition.

-A 25% reduction in soft tissue injuries was found in adult horses turned out for at least 12 hours daily, compared to those kept in stalls greater than 12 hours daily. (Reilly & Bryk-Lucy, 2021)

-Comparing turnout duration, a study found that horses with only 2 hours of turnout exhibited significantly higher energy levels, anxiety, and behaviors such as rearing, bucking, and fence running, whereas horses receiving over 12 hours of turnout were more likely to walk, graze, and remain calm. (Hockenhull & Creighton, 2010)

-Foals receiving inconsistent turnout (9 to 23 hours per day) had 4.6 times more musculoskeletal injuries than those with 24/7 access to turnout. Furthermore, for every extra acre of turnout, there was a 24% reduction in injury risk. (Brown-Douglas et al., 2022)

-A study on 2-year-old horses found that those kept in individual stalls required more time to get used to training activities and showed more unwanted behaviors, like resistance or agitation, than horses kept on pasture. The stalled horses needed an average of 26 minutes of training time, while the pastured horses needed only 19 minutes, to complete the same task. Additionally, the stalled horses were more likely to show unwanted behaviors during training (8 instances on average compared to just 2 for pastured horses). (Rivera et al., 2002)

-Stall-kept livestock experience a higher incidence of hoof-related issues, including uneven hoof growth and lameness, while those with access to turnout demonstrated healthier, more balanced hoof development. (Black, R.A. et al., 2017)

-A European welfare study using the AWIN protocol assessed 315 horses in group-housing turnout systems. Only 2.3% of these horses exhibited signs of lameness, compared to lameness rates as high as 33% in stalled horses across various studies. (AWIN Welfare Assessment, 2023)

-Within just one day of moving from group turnout to individual stalling, equine cortisol levels spike, and their white blood cell count shows significant changes, including a 25% increase in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) and a decrease in infection-fighting cells like monocytes and T cells. Additionally, behaviors indicative of stress, such as oral manipulation, neighing, pawing, and apathy, became evident in most horses within a week. (Schmucker et al., 2022)

-Horses with regular turnout showed higher heart rate variability, indicating improved balance in their autonomic nervous system and greater stress resilience. (Rietmann et al., 2004)

-Welsh ponies who received daily pasture turnout in a herd exhibited fewer stress-related behaviors, were significantly calmer, less fearful, less reactive, more interactive with humans, and more adaptable in learning tasks compared to ponies housed in impoverished environments (stalls with limited turnout). Even three months after the study, ponies in the enriched group retained these positive behaviors and demonstrated higher curiosity and superior learning performance. (Lansade et al., 2014)

Can you find a single peer-reviewed study that shows horses kept stabled 24/7 are sounder, healthier, or happier than those with regular turnout? Even the most finely tuned, performance-focused horses are still horses. Just like any other, they require room to roam, stretch their legs, and engage in natural behaviors such as grazing and socializing.

It’s important to recognize that no horse truly dislikes turnout. If a horse resists going outside, it’s due to improper conditioning, previous negative experiences, or being overwhelmed by a sudden change in environment: what’s known as "flooding." Horses who’ve been confined for extended periods or who’ve never had proper exposure to outdoor spaces may react with anxiety or reluctance. These reactions stem from fear, not from an inherent dislike of turnout. With patience and gradual exposure, every horse can be reconditioned to embrace the outdoors. After all, instincts tell them to roam, graze, and move, it's in their nature.

Of course, there are times when limiting a horse's movement is necessary, such as during health issues or transportation. In these instances, it’s crucial to understand the physiological and psychological changes that occur so we can minimize stress and discomfort.

Turnout is a biological necessity. To support our horses’ overall health and well-being, we must prioritize their freedom to move. After all, a healthy, happy horse is one that has the opportunity to be just that: a horse.

Happy Monday!!Camp updates:We only have 1 full summer spot left for our field trip camp with a few openings on individua...
05/12/2025

Happy Monday!!
Camp updates:

We only have 1 full summer spot left for our field trip camp with a few openings on individual weeks available, please reach out ASAP to reserve your spot!

https://goldensunridingschool.com/pages/farm-field-trips-camp

Horse camp is almost full too!! We have adjusted the dates/rates, don’t miss out on your chance to join us for some FANTASTIC horse time!!

https://goldensunridingschool.com/pages/horse-farm-adventure-camp

We are also having day camps on May 29th and 30th to kick off summer break, please message us asap if you are interested in attending as this camp is almost full too!!
Looking forward to the best summer ever filled with friendship, horses and good old fashioned fun!! 🐴👍🌳

Happy Monday!!Camp updates:We only have 1 full summer spot left for our field trip camp with a few openings on individua...
05/12/2025

Happy Monday!!
Camp updates:

We only have 1 full summer spot left for our field trip camp with a few openings on individual weeks available, please reach out ASAP to reserve your spot!

https://goldensunridingschool.com/pages/farm-field-trips-camp

Horse camp is almost full too!! We have adjusted the dates/rates, don’t miss out on your chance to join us for some FANTASTIC horse time!!

https://goldensunridingschool.com/pages/horse-farm-adventure-camp

We are also having day camps on May 29th and 30th to kick off summer break, please message us asap if you are interested in attending as this camp is almost full too!!
Looking forward to the best summer ever filled with friendship, horses and good old fashioned fun!! 🐴👍🌳

Get ready for a super fun summer packed with adventures, time with friends, farm fun, and more! Weekly Activities Movie Day Ice Skating Farm Friday – a full day at the farm with horse-related activities, including the chance to ride Two field trips each week to exciting locations like the Museum o...

Address

3742 Lettuce Lane
New Smyrna Beach, FL
32168

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