Gallop Again (OLD), Hamilton

Founder Sarah Rose McGuire dedicates her stable to rescuing and rehabilitating horses that may have been neglected or abused by a former owner. During lessons for children 3–12, both horse and child benefit from gentle interspecies interaction: the rescued horses learn to trust their pint-sized human partners and the children enjoy themselves or overcome their fears of riding or being recruited as a jockey. The 60-minute sessions illuminate the subtleties of equine grooming, tack, and proper riding form, with new riders leashed on a lead line until they demonstrate mounted mastery. An experienced trainer with a class A show pedigree conducts each lesson in a private one-on-one format, though two siblings may take their lessons together.

In addition to interactions with the on-site horses, Gallop Again offers children an opportunity to be surrounded by an array of other animals, such as donkeys, ducks, chickens, and rabbits. Other activities available through the farm-and-horse camp include obstacle courses and painting a live pony. While many of its lessons and camps are geared toward children, Gallop Again also offers lessons for teens and adults.