Education and Riding Lessons - Hooved Animal Humane Society

Hooves and Hands

Education and Riding Programs

"THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURE OF THE HORSE IS ONE OF THE FIRST FOUNDATIONS OF THE ART OF RIDING, AND EVERY HORSEMAN MUST MAKE IT THEIR PRINCIPAL STUDY."

- FRANCOIS ROBINHO DE LA GUERINIERE

Photo taken by FreshLens Chicago student.

Hooves & Hands

Children's Program

For over 50 years, HAHS has served the equestrian community. In 2023, we expanded our community outreach to include children’s programming. In 2024, we formally launched our Hooves and Hands Children’s Program so that all children can experience the joy of horses and other hooved animals.

We hope you will extend a warm HAHS welcome to our community partners and the children they serve by donating to help us fund the children’s program. Below is a list of a few non-profit organizations we partner with. Time with the animals is free for children who come to HAHS with one of our non-profit partners. Our generous sponsors make this program possible.

Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County

Reduces trauma to child victims of abuse through coordinating a timely, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary response in reported cases of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or child witnesses of violent crimes.

Pioneer Center for Human Services

Helps improve the lives of individuals challenged by developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, and homelessness.

Children in grades 1 -5 can register at the Woodstock Library for our Rescue Readers program, where they can enjoy reading books of their choice to the animals.

The Children's Place Association

Empowers children and families in underserved areas to overcome barriers, foster resilience, improve health, and equip them with the knowledge to navigate life's challenges successfully.

Hooves & Hands

Junior Lesson & Riding Program

This program provides opportunities for students to learn more about and interact with horses. It is open to all children ages 7 to 17 who purchase lesson packages.

Our Juniors Club focuses on comprehensive horse care and education. Students will have the opportunity to engage both individually and in groups with our experienced instructors and well-trained horses. Through these interactions, students will learn essential skills such as horse care, grooming, tacking, and riding

Lesson Topic Examples

Horse Science
General Anatomy of the Horse
Basic Nutritional and Health Care Needs of the Horse
Horse Tack and Equipment – Tacking a Horse
Groundwork, Grooming, and Leading
Safely Handling a Horse

Age Ranges: 7-10 Years, 11-13 Years, 14-17 Years
The program is tailored to specific age groups for an optimal learning experience. Progress will be solely determined by the student’s ability and comfort level. Each lesson is approximately 45 minutes in duration.
Lessons are available on Saturday and Sunday.

We recommend a parent or guardian be present during the entire lesson. All visitors will be required to sign a waiver. Riders must wear long pants and boots with a heel. Helmets will always be required while interacting with the horses, including grooming, leading, handling, and riding. Helmets must be an approved ASTM/SEI helmet. Gloves are recommended while leading and riding the horses.

Photo taken by FreshLens Chicago student.

Four Sessions: $240.00

Hooves & Hands

Adult Lesson & Riding Program

This program allows adults aged 18 and over to learn more about and interact with horses. This program is open to all adults 18 and up who purchase lesson packages.

If you are interested in someday owning a horse and want to learn about all aspects of horses, their care, cost, etc., this program is for you.

The HAHS Hooves and Hands Education Program will provide sessions for adults ages 18+ with horses and our in-house instructor. Students will learn about horse care, health needs, grooming, and riding.

Lesson Topic Examples

Horse Science
General Anatomy of the Horse
Basic Nutritional and Health Care Needs of the Horse
Horse Tack and Equipment – Tacking a Horse
Groundwork, Grooming, and Leading
Safely Handling a Horse

Progress will be solely determined by the student’s ability and comfort level. Each lesson is approximately 45 minutes in duration.

All visitors will be required to sign a waiver. Riders must wear long pants and boots with a heel. Helmets will always be required while riding. Helmets must be an approved ASTM/SEI helmet. Gloves are recommended while leading and riding the horses.

Photo taken by FreshLens Chicago student.

Four Sessions: $240.00

Hooves & Hands

Hooves & Hands Volunteer's
Lesson & Riding Program

This program allows individuals that are 16 plus years of age and volunteer in our Hooves and Hands program to learn more about and interact with horses in an individualized lesson program. This discounted lesson program is only open to current and active Hooves & Hands volunteers.

The HAHS Hooves and Hands Lesson Program will provide sessions with horses and our in-house instructor. Students will learn about horse care, health needs, grooming, groundwork, and riding.

Lesson Topic Examples

Horse Science
General Anatomy of the Horse
Basic Nutritional and Health Care Needs of the Horse
Horse Tack and Equipment – Tacking a Horse
Groundwork, Grooming, and Leading
Safely Handeling and Riding a Horse

Progress will be solely determined by the student’s ability and comfort level. Each lesson is approximately 45 minutes in duration.

All individuals will be required to sign a waiver. Riders must wear long pants and boots with a heel. Helmets will always be required while riding. Helmets must be an approved ASTM/SEI helmet. Gloves are recommended while leading and riding the horses.

Photo taken by FreshLens Chicago student.

Hooves and Hands

Education and Riding Programs

"THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURE OF THE HORSE IS ONE OF THE FIRST FOUNDATIONS OF THE ART OF RIDING, AND EVERY HORSEMAN MUST MAKE IT THEIR PRINCIPAL STUDY."

- FRANCOIS ROBINHO DE LA GUERINIERE

Hooves & Hands

Children's Program

For over 50 years, HAHS has served the equestrian community. In 2023, we expanded our community outreach to include children’s programming. In 2024, we formally launched our Hooves and Hands Children’s Program so that all children can experience the joy of horses and other hooved animals.

Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County

Reduces trauma to child victims of abuse through coordinating a timely, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary response in reported cases of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or child witnesses of violent crimes.

Pioneer Center for Human Services

Helps improve the lives of individuals challenged by developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, and homelessness.

Woodstock Publick Libary

Children in grades 1 -5 can register at the Woodstock Library for our Rescue Readers program, where they can enjoy reading books of their choice to the animals.

The Children's Place Association

Empowers children and families in underserved areas to overcome barriers, foster resilience, improve health, and equip them with the knowledge to navigate life's challenges successfully.

FreshLens Chicago

Provides educational arts programming to students from under-resourced areas in Chicago while giving students an opportunity to develop skills and gain confidence through the vehicle of photography.

Hooves & Hands

Junior Lesson & Riding Program

This program provides opportunities for students to learn more about and interact with horses. It is open to all children ages 7 to 17 who purchase lesson packages.

Lesson Topic Examples

Four Sessions: $240.00

Hooves & Hands

Adult Lesson & Riding Program

This program allows adults aged 18 and over to learn more about and interact with horses. This program is open to all adults 18 and up who purchase lesson packages.

If you are interested in someday owning a horse and want to learn about all aspects of horses, their care, cost, etc., this program is for you.

The HAHS Hooves and Hands Education Program will provide sessions for adults ages 18+ with horses and our in-house instructor. Students will learn about horse care, health needs, grooming, and riding.

Lesson Topic Examples

All visitors will be required to sign a waiver. Riders must wear long pants and boots with a heel. Helmets will always be required while riding. Helmets must be an approved ASTM/SEI helmet. Gloves are recommended while leading and riding the horses.

Four Sessions: $240.00

Hooves & Hands

Hooves & Hands Volunteer's
Lesson & Riding Program

This program allows individuals that are 16 plus years of age and volunteer in our Hooves and Hands program to learn more about and interact with horses in an individualized lesson program. This discounted lesson program is only open to current and active Hooves & Hands volunteers.

The HAHS Hooves and Hands Lesson Program will provide sessions with horses and our in-house instructor. Students will learn about horse care, health needs, grooming, groundwork, and riding.

Lesson Topic Examples

All individuals will be required to sign a waiver. Riders must wear long pants and boots with a heel. Helmets will always be required while riding. Helmets must be an approved ASTM/SEI helmet. Gloves are recommended while leading and riding the horses.

Four Sessions: $200.00

Quick Links

Get In Touch

Hooves and Hands

Education and Riding Programs

"THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURE OF THE HORSE IS ONE OF THE FIRST FOUNDATIONS OF THE ART OF RIDING, AND EVERY HORSEMAN MUST MAKE IT THEIR PRINCIPAL STUDY."

- FRANCOIS ROBINHO DE LA GUERINIERE

Hooves & Hands

Children's Program

For over 50 years, HAHS has served the equestrian community. In 2023, we expanded our community outreach to include children’s programming. In 2024, we formally launched our Hooves and Hands Children’s Program so that all children can experience the joy of horses and other hooved animals.

Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County

Reduces trauma to child victims of abuse through coordinating a timely, comprehensive, and multidisciplinary response in reported cases of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or child witnesses of violent crimes.

Pioneer Center for Human Services

Helps improve the lives of individuals challenged by developmental disabilities, behavioral health issues, and homelessness.

Woodstock Publick Libary

Children in grades 1 -5 can register at the Woodstock Library for our Rescue Readers program, where they can enjoy reading books of their choice to the animals.

The Children's Place Association

Empowers children and families in underserved areas to overcome barriers, foster resilience, improve health, and equip them with the knowledge to navigate life's challenges successfully.

FreshLens Chicago

Provides educational arts programming to students from under-resourced areas in Chicago while giving students an opportunity to develop skills and gain confidence through the vehicle of photography.

Hooves & Hands

Junior Lesson & Riding Program

This program provides opportunities for students to learn more about and interact with horses. It is open to all children ages 7 to 17 who purchase lesson packages.

Lesson Topic Examples

Four Sessions: $240.00

Hooves & Hands

Adult Lesson & Riding Program

This program allows adults aged 18 and over to learn more about and interact with horses. This program is open to all adults 18 and up who purchase lesson packages.

If you are interested in someday owning a horse and want to learn about all aspects of horses, their care, cost, etc., this program is for you.

The HAHS Hooves and Hands Education Program will provide sessions for adults ages 18+ with horses and our in-house instructor. Students will learn about horse care, health needs, grooming, and riding.

Lesson Topic Examples

All visitors will be required to sign a waiver. Riders must wear long pants and boots with a heel. Helmets will always be required while riding. Helmets must be an approved ASTM/SEI helmet. Gloves are recommended while leading and riding the horses.

Four Sessions: $240.00

Hooves & Hands

Hooves & Hands Volunteer'sLesson & Riding Program

This program allows individuals that are 16 plus years of age and volunteer in our Hooves and Hands program to learn more about and interact with horses in an individualized lesson program. This discounted lesson program is only open to current and active Hooves & Hands volunteers.

The HAHS Hooves and Hands Lesson Program will provide sessions with horses and our in-house instructor. Students will learn about horse care, health needs, grooming, groundwork, and riding.

Lesson Topic Examples

All individuals will be required to sign a waiver. Riders must wear long pants and boots with a heel. Helmets will always be required while riding. Helmets must be an approved ASTM/SEI helmet. Gloves are recommended while leading and riding the horses.

Four Sessions: $200.00

Quick Links

Get In Touch

Hooves & Hands Volunteer's
Lesson & Riding Program