Equine Experiences & Horseback Riding Program
Program Mission
The H&S Equine Experience program educates people along their journey in horsemanship, and provides a supportive environment to enjoy the benefits of connection with horses in order to:
Build confidence
Allow people to challenge themselves in new ways
Strengthen mental and physical wellbeing
Our Curriculum
Our learning curriculum is focused on providing students a foundation in pleasure riding and a working knowledge of what it takes to care for horses as a responsible rider.
In respect for our rescue horses’ unique needs and histories, we do not do any jumping at H&S. We also do not progress up in gait (trot, etc.) until a student is very well balanced so as to not put physical stress on the horse. 
Our Instructor
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Riding InstructorMegan has been with Hope & Serenity since February of 2017. She has 14 years of riding experience and was a competitive jumper as a young child. Megan specializes in horse-rider connection, and has a strong working relationship with all the equines at H&S.
Riding Program FAQs
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Our lessons are open to all ages, abilities, and levels of experience.
Our program caters specifically to new and beginning riders, and those with specific needs, challenges, and goals for their work with horses.
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We seek to meet students where they are at right now. Besides riding (“mounted” work), we offer various opportunities for those not able, or not quite ready, for mounted lessons.
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Our lessons are custom experiences. Lesson length and pricing are tailored to each student’s needs. Please message us to get more information!
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Every new student will participate in an “introductory lesson”, where they will be introduced to a lesson horse, discuss goals, and learn about our program to determine if H&S is the right fit.
Recurring lessons are a month-to-month commitment. Lesson tuition is paid on the first of each month.
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Please arrive on time for your lesson. We are not able to accommodate lessons arriving 15 minutes or more late.
A horseback riding specific helmet is required. We provide this important safety item at each lesson. You may also supply your own equestrian helmet if you wish (bike helmets are not permitted).
Please dress in comfortable, fitted clothing that is appropriate for the weather. Layers that can be added and removed are best.
Closed-toe footwear is required. Any style will work for beginners, although boots are ideal. As a student progresses, we will recommend the purchase of boots specifically for riding.
Please note that mud may be unavoidable while visiting the farm. Please be prepared that any clothing, gear, or item brought to the farm may get dirty, footwear in particular.
Interested in learning more?
Our riding program is nearing capacity for the Spring/Summer 2023 session. Limited space may still be available.
Please reach out with any questions!
All participants in equine activities must sign the H&S Equine Activity Release and Waiver.
Virginia legislation provides that equine professionals are not liable for the inherent risk presented by participation in equine-related activities. Known as the “equine inherent risk law”, this legislation is excerpted below and in the waiver form. Safety is our priority and it is paramount that you read and acknowledge all possible risks of participation.
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Virginia Code Sec. 3.2-6200 Definitions. (Virginia Statutes (2016 Edition))
§ 3.2-6200. Definitions.
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
“Engages in an equine activity” means: (i) any person, whether mounted or unmounted, who rides, handles, trains, drives, assists in providing medical or therapeutic treatment of, or is a passenger upon an equine; (ii) any person who participates in an equine activity but does not necessarily ride, handle, train, drive, or ride as a passenger upon an equine; (iii) any person visiting, touring or utilizing an equine facility as part of an event or activity; or (iv) any person who assists a participant or equine activity sponsor or management in an equine activity. The term “engages in an equine activity” does not include being a spectator at an equine activity, except in cases where the spectator places himself in an unauthorized area and in immediate proximity to an equine or equine activity.
“Equine” means a horse, pony, mule, donkey, or hinny.
“Equine activity” means: (i) equine shows, fairs, competitions, performances, or parades that involve any or all breeds of equines and any of the equine disciplines, including dressage, hunter and jumper horse shows, grand prix jumping, three-day events, combined training, rodeos, driving, pulling, cutting, polo, steeple chasing, endurance trail riding and western games, and hunting; (ii) equine training or teaching activities; (iii) boarding equines; (iv) riding, inspecting, or evaluating an equine belonging to another whether or not the owner has received some monetary consideration or other thing of value for the use of the equine or is permitting a prospective purchaser of the equine to ride, inspect, or evaluate the equine; (v) rides, trips, hunts, or other equine activities of any type however informal or impromptu that are sponsored by an equine activity sponsor; (vi) conducting general hoofcare, including placing or replacing horseshoes or hoof trimming of an equine; and (vii) providing or assisting in breeding or therapeutic veterinary treatment.
“Equine activity sponsor” means any person or his agent who, for profit or not for profit, sponsors, organizes, or provides the facilities for an equine activity, including pony clubs, 4-H clubs, hunt clubs, riding clubs, school- and college-sponsored classes and programs, therapeutic riding programs, and operators, instructors, and promoters of equine facilities, including stables, clubhouses, ponyride strings, fairs, and arenas where the activity is held.
“Equine professional” means a person or his agent engaged for compensation in: (i) instructing a participant or renting to a participant an equine for the purpose of riding, driving, or being a passenger upon an equine; or (ii) renting equipment or tack to a participant.
“Intrinsic dangers of equine activities” means those dangers or conditions that are an integral part of equine activities, including: (i) the propensity of equines to behave in ways that may result in injury, harm, or death to persons on or around them; (ii) the unpredictability of an equine’s reaction to such things as sounds, sudden movement, and unfamiliar objects, persons, or other animals; (iii) certain hazards such as surface and subsurface conditions; (iv) collisions with other animals or objects; and (v) the potential of a participant acting in a negligent manner that may contribute to injury to the participant or others, such as failing to maintain control over the equine or not acting within the participant’s ability.
“Participant” means any person, whether amateur or professional, who engages in an equine activity, whether or not a fee is paid to participate in the equine activity.
1991, c. 358, § 3.1-796.130; 2003, c. 876; 2008, c. 860
Virginia Code Sec. 3.2-6201 Horse racing excluded. (Virginia Statutes (2016 Edition))
§ 3.2-6201. Horse racing excluded.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to horse racing, as that term is defined by § 59.1-365.
1991, c. 358, § 3.1-796.131; 2008, c. 860.
Virginia Code Sec. 3.2-6202 Liability limited; liability actions prohibited. (Virginia Statutes (2016 Edition))
§ 3.2-6202. Liability limited; liability actions prohibited.
A. Except as provided in § 3.2-6203, an equine activity sponsor, an equine professional, or any other person, which shall include a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company, shall not be liable for an injury to or death of a participant resulting from the intrinsic dangers of equine activities and, except as provided in § 3.2-6203, no participant nor any participant’s parent, guardian, or representative shall have or make any claim against or recover from any equine activity sponsor, equine professional, or any other person for injury, loss, damage, or death of the participant resulting from any of the intrinsic dangers of equine activities.
B. Except as provided in § 3.2-6203, no participant or parent or guardian of a participant who has knowingly executed a waiver of his rights to sue or agrees to assume all risks specifically enumerated under this subsection may maintain an action against or recover from an equine activity sponsor or an equine professional for an injury to or the death of a participant engaged in an equine activity. The waiver shall give notice to the participant of the intrinsic dangers of equine activities. The waiver shall remain valid unless expressly revoked in writing by the participant or parent or guardian of a minor.
1991, c. 358, § 3.1-796.132; 2003, c. 876; 2008, c. 860.
Virginia Code Sec. 3.2-6203 Liability of equine activity sponsors, equine professionals. (Virginia Statutes (2016 Edition))
§ 3.2-6203. Liability of equine activity sponsors, equine professionals.
No provision of this chapter shall prevent or limit the liability of an equine activity sponsor or equine professional or any other person who:
1. Intentionally injures the participant;
2. Commits an act or omission that constitutes negligence for the safety of the participant and such act or omission caused the injury, unless such participant, parent or guardian has expressly assumed the risk causing the injury in accordance with subsection B of § 3.2-6202; or
3. Knowingly provides faulty equipment or tack and such equipment or tack was faulty to the extent that it did cause the injury or death of the participant.
1991, c. 358, § 3.1-796.133; 2003, c. 876; 2008, c. 860.