Refugio Farm Equestrian Center LLC

01/10/2025

Things your riding instructor wants you to know:
1. This sport is hard. You don't get to bypass the hard…..every good rider has gone through it. You make progress, then you don't, and then you make progress again. Your riding instructor can coach you through it, but they cannot make it easy.

2. You're going to ride horses you don't want to ride. If you're teachable, you will learn from every horse you ride. Each horse in the barn can teach you if you let them. IF YOU LET THEM. Which leads me to…

3. You MUST be teachable to succeed in this sport. You must be teachable to succeed at anything, but that is another conversation. Being teachable often means going back to basics time and time and time again. If you find basics boring, then your not looking at them as an opportunity to learn. Which brings me to…..

4. This sport is a COMMITMENT. Read that, then read it again. Every sport is a commitment, but in this sport your teammate weighs 1200 lbs and speaks a different language. Good riders don't get good by riding every once in awhile….they improve because they make riding a priority and give themsevles opportunity to practice.

5. EVERY RIDE IS AN OPPORTUNITY. Even the walk ones. Even the hard ones. Every. Single. Ride. Remember when you just wished someone would lead you around on a horse? Find the happiness in just being able to RIDE. If you make every ride about what your AREN'T doing, you take the fun out of the experience for yourself, your horse, and your instructor. Just enjoy the process. Which brings me to...

6. Riding should be fun. It is work. and work isn't always fun.....but if you (or your rider) are consistently choosing other activities or find yourself not looking forward to lessons, it's time to take a break. The horses already know you don't want to be here, and you set yourself up for failure if you are already dreading the lesson before you get here.

7. You'll learn more about horses from the ground than you ever will while riding. That's why ground lessons are important, too. If you're skipping ground lessons (or the part of your lesson that takes place on the ground), you're missing out on the most important parts of the lesson. You spend far more time on the ground with horses than you do in the saddle.

8. Ask questions and communicate. If you're wondering why your coach is having you ride a particular horse or do an exercise, ask them. Then listen to their answer and refer to #3 above.

9. We are human beings. We make decisions (some of them life and death ones) every day. We balance learning for students with workloads for horses and carry the bulk of this business on our shoulders. A little courtesy goes a long way.

Of all the sports your child will try through their school years, riding is one of 3 that they may continue regularly as adults (golf and skiing are the others). People who coach riding spend the better part of their free time and much of their disposable income trying to improve their own riding and caring for the horses who help teach your child. They love this sport and teaching others…..but they all have their limits. Not all good riders are good coaches, but all good coaches will tell you that the process to get good is not an easy one.

01/09/2025

All of our winter camps have filled including Presidents' Day !
We do have our spring break camp and summer camp dates up and are at half capacity as of today ! Message us to sign up if you haven't already on the website! We are very excited this year to host over a DECADE and a half of summer camps !! 💕💕💕
We have 1 Space available for our Intro to horses class Pm us for details !

12/26/2024

We still have room left in our January 4th and January 6th 🐴 camp . Pm us to sign up ! All other camps have filled! Summer dates will be posted next week! Camp will have Riding lessons each morning followed by arts and crafts and activities in the afternoon . Each student will be assigned their very own horse or size appropriate pony for the day and will learn to groom, tack up (with assistance if needed ) , and correct and safe horsemanship skills. Get these kiddos outside and off the devices and a day of fun and Everything Horses!

12/26/2024

It was posted earlier this month but just a reminder Refugio Farm is Closed Dec 23- 29. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and we will see Everyone on Monday ! 🐴💕.

12/16/2024

One spot (or sibling spot )left in our Christmas 🎄 🐴 Horse camp !! Message me for details !!❤️❤️❤️

12/11/2024

We are currently building this ! But have been using Britney the Barrel!

12/11/2024

💕Barn Lessons today!

12/02/2024

Refugio Farm is running a few Christmas specials !!! $40 off your first lesson package or $15 off your first lesson .
We also have several events scheduled this month ! (Must be purchased and scheduled by December 23rd to recieve discounts )

❤️ Day on the farm (great way to experience the farm and our staff and meet all the animals ) pm, email, text ot call for details, price, and spacing .

💕 Intro to horses ( a wonderful way to see if lessons are something you or your child would be interested in pursuing ) pm, email , text, or call for details, pricing , a space.

🐴 Mommy and Me intro -intermediate Lessons ( a perfect activity for mom and child to interact together ) pm , email, text , or call for details , pricing and dates

🎁 Christmas Holiday Barn Riding Horse Camp 🐎🎅🏕️🎄🎁 DATES : Dec 19 Dec 23 9:30-2:30 $100 Jan 2 9:30-2:30 $100

11/20/2024

❌Barn lessons today ❌

11/15/2024

11/14/2024

❌ Barn lessons today ! ❌

11/05/2024

Refugiofarmequestriancenter.com is hosting a Day at the Farm Saturday the 16th and 23rd! We have 6 slots available for these dates . Students will participate in an experience on the farm ,learning to groom (brush),followed by a lesson each. We will also have fun activities and a bouncy house set up for the younger students. Come join us for a Fun filled day of ponies and horses ! Message us to sign up!

Refugio Farm Equestrian Center

10/28/2024

I am a lesson horse.
I am a horse that isn’t as recognized as the top hunter jumpers, the best western pleasure horse, or the 1D barrel horse, I am a lesson horse. I am the backbone of the foundation to do all of those things. I am a lesson horse.

I am not loved by one person. I am loved by several people. I don’t have my person, I have my people. I am a lesson horse.

I will teach your child and yourself more than just to ride. I will bring your child out of their shell. I will teach your child about life. I will be yours and their shoulder to cry on. I am a lesson horse.

I will bring my family the joy of teaching kids. I will bring my families business growth. I am so loved by my family, even if they don’t express it everyday. My family allows others to show me love and enjoy me. I am a lesson horse.

At the end of your childs’ journey on a lesson horse, they will out grow me. They will find one that jumps higher, a horse that is show quality, a horse much faster than me. But, I will never outgrow being a lesson horse. I will be the one that loved your child and helped your child grow into the rider and person they are. I am a lesson horse.

At the end of my time as a lesson horse; I will be covered in grey hair. Each grey hair came from each hour I spent as a lesson horse. I will be in a field of green grass, I will be taken care of as I was when I was a lesson horse. I will watch your child from across the pasture love her new horse. But, I will love your child more than any horse can. I will be the backbone of the business, the family, and your child. Don’t forget about me, I am a lesson horse.

I am a lesson horse.

*stolen from a friend *

10/16/2024

Parents this is sooo IMPORTANT!!! This is also why we teach Lessons Rain or Shine !!!

Make Them Carry Their Saddle

A father of a darling girl and I were talking last week and he said that he wanted his daughter to ride more and not have to do the work part of the catching, grooming, and saddling. I smiled as I explained.

Riding horses is a combination of strength, timing, and balance. Kids in this country are physically weak (unless they are actively involved with weight training and physical conditioning 4+ times a week.)

When you walk out to the field, you are clearing your stress from being under fluorescent lights all day; feeling the sun soak into your bones. As your body moves on uneven surfaces, it strengthens your legs and core.

When you groom your horse (especially currying), you are toning your arms and stabilizing your core.

When you carry your saddle, your arms, chest, and back are doing isolated strengthening work.

Being near horses, calms and makes you tune into the splendor of these empathetic animals.

When you ride at a posting trot, it’s equivalent to a slow jog calorie burn wise.

After a lesson, the riders are physically tired and mentally quiet and balanced.

Horses feel your heart beat and mirror your emotions back.

Riding large and somewhat unpredictable animals makes you resilient and pushes your expectations.

Working with horses is so much more than learning how to ride.

So parents, make your children carry their saddles. Don’t do the hard parts for them, as long term it actually hurts them. To advance with their riding, they must get stronger. You can help by doing the high parts.

I love having you all at the farm, and am so grateful to get to share these fascinating animals with you.

10/15/2024

Refugio Farm Fall festival /horse camp Halloween Camp clinic Saturday Oct 26 !! Horse riding , pumpkin painting, activities , haunted barn and more ! Message us to sign up and for more Details!!

09/24/2024

Refugio Farm has one opening for lessons and a Sibling spot opening up in October message us for more information and details . We also have our Halloween /fall festival pony camp date ready!

We have 10 available friends looking for their next BFF.

Here is our current horse /pony lease options and requirements. All lease prices are for on-site if interested in offsite please message for price.

"Maya Bear " 13.2 13 year old POA walk trot canter X-rail packer show mileage as well as trail pony deluxe $6500 onsite lease

"My name is Willow " 13.2 (a tad bigger ) 14 year old walk trot canter jumper trail pony deluxe has tons of show mileage onsite lease $6500

"Peanut Butter Jelly Time" 14.2 hand 17 year old Quarter horse bomb proof walk trot canter x-rail packer show mileage ,hunter ,beginner safe,old lady safe $6500 onsite lease

"Poppy" 4 year old Percheron/ Welsh cross 14 hand (big barrel big enough for a small adult )does need an experienced rider but has a good foundation and could really be a top quality pony if brought along. Great ground manners , quiet, not spooky trail pony onsite or off site care lease

"A perfect Storm" Connemara 14.1 hand 8 year old pony Perfect pony has auto changes lots of show miles trail rides Hunter Deluxe places every time
$10,000 onsite lease

"Catch a spirit" 7 year old 14.1 Quarter pony walk trot canter Jumper needs an intermediate or confident rider trail and show safe $4,000 onsite or offsite lease

"Talk of the Town" 14.2 hand Quarter pony 15 year old hunter pony slow and steady in the top 3 ribbons every time on $7500 on site or offsite local lease

"❌sold ❌Chocolate chip" 13.1 hand 17 year old paint trail pony deluxe rides in the mountains crosses bridges creeks ditches $3500.

"Daisy Dukes" 12.2 hand Welsh 24 year old pony best first pony ever ! Babysitter walk trot canter an absolute one of a kind unicorn 🦄 pony $6500 onsite only.

"Snip" 14.2 mare trail pony deluxe excellent ground manners . $3500 on site lease

"50 shades of Grey " 16.1 Connemara/TB
12 year old Gelding has evented up to training and dabbled in Jumpers .
He's an in your pocket horse loves cuddles and treats excellent ground manners . $10k onsite lease only

In addition all on site leasees will cover one vet visit per year, shavings for their ponies stalls if applicable and regular worming schedules 1-2 times a year ...
In addition RFEC will cover all food , Hay , supplements ,board and all care for each leasee including blanket changes, as well as routine farrier services (unless pony needs shoes) then leasee will be responsible for paying for ponies shoes or any chiropractic work that needs to be done .