Sweet River Farm Whately, MA

12/07/2024

Open barn volunteer hours tomorrow, Saturday, Dec 7th from 9-11 am. Dress warmly!

We will clean the barn, pick paddocks, groom ponies, and generally do what needs doing. Students who have earned their RED RIBBON OR who are 10 or older may attend without an adult. Students who are in Rainbow or Red Level will need an adult to attend with them to assist.

Send a message to learn more

12/03/2024

Spots available in ALL levels of our Equine Academy programming that starts this week. Red Level (Wednesdays 4-5:30) is the perfect place to start learning about horses. For ages 7+. First session begins Dec 4th. Reach out with questions or to sign up! (Also offering sessions on Tuesdays for older kids and Thursday mornings for adults)

11/30/2024

11 years ago, this sweet horse came into our lives. He is the backbone of our therapy program and has been the one horse with us consistently throughout this journey. We are so grateful for Jasper and all the joy he has brought to so many! If YOU love, Jasper, tell us why in the comments.

11/30/2024

We ARE open for volunteer hours today, Sat Nov 30th, 9-12. Stop by if you want to help get the farm ready for winter. Lots of simple jobs for kids and grown ups along with some horse time!

11/29/2024

Equine Academy spots are filling fast! Only 2 spots remain in the Red Level on Wednesdays from 4-5:30.

11/28/2024

Do you know of someone in need of a holiday meal on Thursday? We will have just over 100 Thanksgiving meals to give away on Thursday from 11am - 1pm. We will be set up just outside the entrance to the store (the store will be closed, but some volunteers will be there), handing out meals to those in need until those 100 meals are gone. We are very grateful to be able to do this and to all the people who made this possible! Truly if you or someone else you know is in need of a meal, please come down! We don't want leftovers!

11/26/2024

Our Equine Academy is designed for this! All the unmounted skills are so important to becoming a well rounded, competent horse person who can then develop a positive, mutually respectful relationship (and if you are lucky bond) with a horse.

BY DAPHNE THORNTON OF TWO BIT TRAINING When it comes to riding lessons, I understand that riding is the overwhelming desire, as well as the underlying principle, guiding most participants. However, sometimes riding is not possible, or even advisable. On those days, I am a fan of unmounted lessons.....

11/26/2024

Equine Academy Registration is OPEN! Red Level (Earned Rainbow ribbon OR new students 2nd grade and up) on Wednesdays 4-5:30, Yellow Level (earned Red Ribbon OR previous experience and age 10+) Tuesdays 4-5:30, and Adults on Thursday mornings 9:30-11. ALL classes start the week of December 2nd and run for 6 weeks (3 in Dec skip 2 weeks and 3 in January). Cost is $180 for the session.

11/26/2024

Due to popular demand, we are pleased to be offering
ADULT Equine Academy
Thursday Mornings 9:30-11
December 5, 12, 19 and Jan 9, 16, 23
Cost $180 for the 6 week session
During this primarily unmounted program, you will learn the basics of horse care using the HorseSense Learning Levels curriculum. Grooming, basic horsemanship, horse health, and ground exercises. A great way to either get an introduction to horses or deepen your knowledge all while spending time in community with other horse lovers! Message us for more information or to sign up!

11/10/2024

According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the longest longitudinal study in history, people who did more chores during their childhood tend to be happier and healthier as adults. Visit the blog to learn how we seamlessly integrate joyful, purposeful work into our daily rhythms at Green Meadow.
https://www.gmws.org/blog-news/moving-day-for-a-chicken-family/

11/09/2024

At the Equine Affaire PATH international booth today! Stop by and say hello. Better Living building booth 744!

11/09/2024

Do you struggle with depression? Anxiety? The impacts of trauma? Sign up for the next Therapeutic Skills group starting in December. Run by LICSW and PATH certified instructor, Annie Sexauer, who has years of experience with equine assisted psychotherapy. Spending time with the horses will help release tension and practice skills that can be applied in all areas of your life. Insurance accepted with a co-pay for each session.

11/02/2024

Saturday morning volunteer hours off to a great start! Stop by between now and 11 and I’ll put you to work!

11/01/2024

Open Volunteer Hours: Saturday, Nov 2nd 9-11. Students need to be accompanied by an adult unless they are 9 years old AND have earned their red ribbon. We will do barn chores and groom ponies. Paddock picking and general jobs around the barn. RSVP by email or messenger, or just stop in! Picture of a foggy farm this week!

10/25/2024

Hmmmm… sounds like a good one! Get ready!

If you're planning ahead for No-Stirrup November, this exercise is seriously underrated (and can involve a rubber duck 🐥):

Toe touches without stirrups. Basic, right?

But oh so challenging when you explain to students that their leg SHOULD NOT MOVE. As a matter of fact, their leg position should look identical to their in-stirrup leg position, and they should be able to touch both toes (and/or the horse's poll and croup) without any change.

Are you feeling the burn yet?? There are three levels to this challenge:

🥉 Halt
🥈 Walk
🥇 Sitting trot/jog

You can do this with diving rings on the rider's toes, or - our personal favorite - place a rubber duck on each student’s left toe and ask them to move it to their right toe, and vice versa. Get some reps in if you have a lot of ducks. 😈

10/15/2024

Beautiful double rainbow over the farm during the Pony Pals Rainbow Riders’ lesson yesterday!

10/12/2024

Finished up this Saturday session with a fall themed obstacle course: a bridge of flowers, pumpkin patch, and witch’s cauldron! So proud of all these students and all that they learned in this session!

10/01/2024

Pony pals showing great team work to untack Rosie. They did it all without grown up assistance!