Children's Programs
Children are Precious
We believe that every child needs a place to feel special. We offer a safe, welcoming space for children to be appreciated for who they are. We do not focus on competition, mandatory skill development or elitism. Our program encourages community, empathy and meeting people where they are. Learning goals vary for each individual, but our focus is on enjoying our time together and enhancing confidence and social connection through working with horses. New Leaf Farms is a home for the children who maybe didn't fit well into team sports. We're here for the kids who love animals and want to spend meaningful time with them.
Alternate Methods
Our children's lessons focus on horsemanship and learning life skills. Through the use of obstacles (like scary giant spiders) we learn about confidence, problem-solving, patience and encouragement. Riding is a very small part of lessons at New Leaf Farms.
New Skills
We love using massage, music therapy, aromatherapy and energetic healing work with the horses. It allows us to calm our minds and connect to the horses on a deeper level. These techniques can also offer self-regulating lessons we can use on our own bodies. It's often easier to learn techniques to help an animal before applying it to ourselves.
Farm Life Is More Than Horses
Our lessons are great for those who have a big heart for animals and nature. We explore all of the farm and animals to connect and learn. Learning to patiently watch frogs without disrupting them is an incredible skill for those with impulsivity. Petting the cats according to their preferences is an effort of memory and focus. There are lessons hiding all over the farm. We endeavor to keep things interesting and engaging at all times. Perfect for busy brains.
Be Yourself!
In a world where we are expected to confirm to societal norms, it's great to have an escape to be your true self. We don't have strict dress codes or expectations. We work with what comes through the door that day. Sometimes it's a sensory-heavy or non-verbal kinda day. We adjust as needed to meet the needs as they arise.
Lesson Packages
Welcome To Horses (Ages 8+)
Welcome to Horses is a 4-week introductory course to learn about our amazing horses and programs. Perfect for those with little or no horse experience, we will learn how to be safe around our equine partners. We will try groundwork, learn how to properly groom and even try some basic riding. Our goal will be to get comfortable around these large animals. Classes are weekly and last 45 minutes. Participants must be aged 8+ to enroll.
This is a great way to try out a little of everything at New Leaf Farms and see if Complete Horse Lessons will be a fit for you. No special equipment is required. All you need is closed-toed footwear, a helmet (bicycle is fine) and appropriate dress for the weather as we will be in our non-climate controlled arena.
Cost: $220/ 4 week session
Little Hooves Program (Ages 5-7)
A passion for horses can start really early for some. Little Hooves is a program to teach children how to interact and handle our horses and other animal partners in a safe, engaging way. This program also helps younger children gain valuable skills such as increased focus and anxiety management. Lessons are 45-minutes in length and run monthly. There are up to 4 children per session.
Activities:
- safe handling of horses
- tricks and obstacles with horses
- liberty work and off-lead fun
- games and challenges to enhance communication skills, focus and self-regulation
- safe interactions with our goats, cats, guinea pigs and chickens
- development of self-calming techniques including breathing and somatic exercises
- a fun and inclusive way to meet other animal-lovers and make friends
We do not offer riding in this program due to the limited focus of children under the age of 8. Children must be able to follow basic directions for safety of humans and animals. Those who cannot will be offered a credit for private sessions.
Cost: $220/ 4 week session
Complete Horse Lessons
The goal of traditional riding lessons is to use your body to move horse's body in a prescribed way. At New Leaf Farms, we know that is a mere fraction of what horses offer to teach us.
Our Complete Horse Lesson Program is very different from traditional lessons. We always start by building a relationship with the horses. Getting to know that Jamie is cheeky and that Peter doesn't like to be forced to do things is essential for a safe and enjoyable experience. Relationship building is an essential social skill for horses and humans. By learning about each other, we can find the strengths of others and ourselves, building our confidence and the connection we have with the horse.
As the relationships form, we also learn about horse communication. What is the horse saying to you? How does the horse feel today? Would you want to work if you were feeling grumpy or tired? Being empathetic to others' experiences is a wonderful skill which allows us to better navigate the world and our own emotions. We explore motivational training techniques, anxiety management and how to manage emotions when things don't happen the way you want. Imagine learning all these essential social skills and you also get to pet horses!
As we learn about the horses and how to care for them, we identify valuable skills and apply learning to real life situations. Equine assisted learning and personal development play a huge part of our program, identifying client strengths and challenges. Through use of obstacles we work to increase the confidence of the horses and students.
In our lessons we do build basic riding ability as we progress, but riding is not our main focus. Learning to walk, steer and stop are important. But life isn't about running circles in an arena. Life is messy and has challenges; most of us struggle at times. We use our time in the saddle to enhance the confidence, communication, and coping skills of our clients while putting the needs and wellbeing of the horses at the forefront. It is a great skill for a client to put the horse first- rather than focus on their own wants. The skill of deferring gratification and being empathetic applies to almost every aspect of modern life.
Our horses come from varied backgrounds and levels of experience. We use the individual needs and stories of the horses to apply learning in a safe and encouraging way. Our focus is how to overcome challenges with healthy thinking and habits including communication skills. This allows us to honour the horses' experiences and ensure their well-being while creating deep connections with them.
Our lessons include:
- equine assisted learning
- energy work
- obstacle work
- basic riding skills
- ground training
- grooming
- horsemanship
- confidence building (horse and client)
- training techniques for horses
- fun and games with a focus on building social skills
Clients must be aged 8+ for semi-private lessons.
Lesson Packages
Semi-Private
Clients are normally paired with other students of similar age and ability. Lessons are either 45-minutes or 60-minutes. Children under 9 are eligible for 45-minute lessons only. Lessons are weekly at a set time/ day. Billing is monthly in either a 4 or 5-week package depending on the number of lesson days in that month.
Cost:
60-Minute Lesson (ages 9+) $260/ 4 weeks
45-Minute Lesson (ages 7-9) $240/ 4 weeks
Private Lessons
We offer 45-minute private lessons for those who benefit from one-to-one support. Lessons will be tailored to client goals and abilities. These lessons qualify for most funding options including agency funding, Jordan's Principle, SSAH and OAP. Clients must be age 5+ to adult.
Cost:
45-Minute Lesson: $300/ 4 weeks
Our Facility
All lessons take place in our barn, indoor arena or outside in the paddocks. Please dress appropriately for the weather- the arena is not heated or cooled.
Special Equipment
Horses can be dirty work, so be sure to wear clothing that can withstand dirt, hair and maybe a few kisses if you're working with Jamie. Helmets are available for use but students must have their own by the second month. Closed toed footwear is required. Boots with a small heel are ideal. Rubber boots are great!
Announcement
We are moving to Georgetown, ON April 2025