Four Winds Farm

06/12/2024

Back to basics lessons are my favorite!

06/04/2024

If your last name is O’CONNELL and you dropped off a summer camp deposit check last weekend, please contact us directly. We need clarification on camp dates. 🐴

05/15/2024

🐴 Horseback riding summer camp 🐴 we still have a few spots available for this summer! Ages 6&up, no experience necessary. Monday through Friday 9-2. Daily mounted lessons, games, crafts, educational fun! $400. Nokesville Va.

05/07/2024

Vaccine and Coggins day at the farm! Two vets, one Tech, three amazing helpers, all horses done in 2 hours! ❤️🐴💉🌡️🩺

04/13/2024

Field lesson smiles

03/03/2024

Finale show today at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center for FWF’s NCSSEL Show Team! We are so proud of our riders this season! They worked hard, learned so much, had team spirit and had FUN! Keep up the good work, ladies! We are looking forward to next season ❤️

02/26/2024

Sign up is open and filling up for summer camp 2024! Please message us or email Shallon at [email protected] for more information.

02/19/2024

Worth their weight in gold ❤️

Thank your lesson horse

In this industry, we all too often see the average lesson horse viewed as lesser than or below other horses. Yet, they have the hardest job of any horse.

They do not complain when an unbalanced first time rider mounts for their lesson. They are a calming force for the most timid of riders, promising safety and security. They are patient and kind, allowing riders to grow and evolve in a safe space without fear of making mistakes.

They take the brunt of your “bad day” emotions, without complaint, even though the negative emotions should not be taken out on them in the first place. They would have every right to not perform or act out, yet they are gracious enough to be a shoulder to cry on.

They have the remarkable ability to sense your insecurities and needs, and provide you with the exact ride you need for the day. To teach the lessons you need in that moment, lessons you didn’t even know you needed to learn.

Even on the frustrating days, “when the lesson horse isn’t listening,” they don’t take your accusations to heart. They continue on with their masterful plans to instill humility, critical thinking, and grace in their partner - and you will finally understand that they’re always listening, and they’re always right.

And when you finally graduate to your own fancier horse, take a moment to think of all the lesson horses who brought you to this milestone. They gave you the knowledge, ability, and skill to be where you are right now. And they gave you their heart and soul in the process.

So next time you see a lesson horse, thank them. Give them a pat and a peppermint, a warm hug, and a promise to treat them with respect - for they are the backbone of this industry, and the foundation for all future equestrians.

01/22/2024

I’m posting this while there is snow on the ground and it’s 20 degrees but we are actually signing kids up for SUMMER CAMP already! Message us or email for more info 🐴

01/21/2024

Cold but fun day with the Show Team at today’s meet! Great riding, ladies!

01/18/2024

Weather cancellations
Several of you have been asking when we make the decision to postpone lessons in the cold weather. As far as temperature goes, if the temps are 35 or lower all riding gets drastically limited (walk and trot), temps 25 or lower there is no riding unless you want to just walk around.
The horse’s respiratory tract is designed to warm and humidify air by the time air reaches his lungs. Intense exercise (anything more than a walk) speeds up and deepens breaths so that air is not as warm or humid when it reaches the lungs which can cause damage to lower respiratory tract. If you wouldn’t want to be outside exercising in the cold air we won’t ask the horse to do it. We have a choice, they don’t.
There are always a lot of factors that go in to our decision, not just temperature. Wind chill, frozen ground, length of time they have been turned out, age and fitness of horse, etc, also play a big part in our decision.
We will always reach out to students directly if we need to postpone and you are always welcome to reach out to us if you have any questions.
**editing to add, the strict temperature number is not set in stone, it is our general guideline. If the temp drops during your lesson things will not come to a screeching halt. The instructors have the horses well being as top priority and will modify things if needed. Also, this was not suggesting people call out of their lesson if the temperature is going to be low just because you may not be jumping in your lesson. If lessons are being held lessons are being held. Remember, we teach all aspects of horses here so ground lessons are taught too! Stay warm everyone ⛄️

01/17/2024

Snow day fun! ❄️

01/08/2024

“Squat” don’t “tip” 👌

12/27/2023

This Saturday, Dec 30th -Holiday barn party! White elephant gift exchange and delicious pot luck food! 3:00ish at the barn. EVERYONE invited, boarders, leasers, students, friends and families! The more the merrier!

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas from all of us at FWF

12/14/2023

🎉It’s about to get UGLY around here!!! 🎉
FWF’ers all next week is “ugly Christmas sweater lesson week” starting Sunday the 17th through the 23rd! Show us your ugly sweaters and have some FUN!

12/05/2023

You saw an ad for “adult only” horseback riding lessons and decided to sign up. Maybe you rode when you were younger, maybe you just wanted to check it off your bucket list. You arrived excited and eager to learn something new. You developed an appreciation for the horse that carries you around the arena each week and strong camaraderie for those riding along with you. What started out as “something to do on Monday evenings” turned into fast friendship that extends beyond the barn walls. Cheers 🍻 to our Monday adult class, the AARP club…. (Just kidding about that last part, none of them are even near 50) ❤️ keep kicking on and don’t forget the Bengay 😘

12/03/2023

Four Winds Farm Show Team having a blast at their show today! ❤️

11/25/2023

🌟I have a couple open slots for this Sunday Nov 26 and plenty of availability in the upcoming weeks. 🌟

Back by popular demand! We are offering our “mini” photo shoots again! Families, individuals, pets, etc! 20 minute scheduled sessions. 15-20 digital images. $100, all proceeds go to Nadia’s Hope Equine Rescue! This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year for our rescue horses! Pick one of our available rescue horses to pose with for your shoot. Spots are filling up QUICK so message me to get on the schedule! Nokesville va. Or email ShallonT@ msn for more info! Spread the word ❤️

11/09/2023

Interesting visual on horse and human range of sight

09/29/2023

We have a couple spots available in our Friday 5:00 beginner class. Message us if you are interested

09/02/2023

08/23/2023

No words needed…

08/23/2023

Four Winds Farm in Nokesville offers full care stall board. We have various size stalls to fit every horses' needs. Nightly turn out in a mixed and well mannered herd. Quality grain and free choice hay. Professional staff lives on premisis with 24/7 monitoring. All disciplines and breeds welcome. Two outdoor arenas, one with lights, full course of jumps. Indoor arena. Limited ride out. Family friendly atmosphere. Lessons available, outside insured instructors welcome. Trailer parking, individual lockers and more! $450-$550 depending on stall size.

08/22/2023