ABOUT THADDLEDO FARM
Mission
About Me
Lessons
Rates
Horse Training
Care and Management
Board
Blanket Repair
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Mission
To promote safe, humane and ethical equine training for students and horses.
To present a professional appearance and demeanor, and to enrich the lives
of those interested in learning multiple aspects of horsemanship. To conduct
personal and business affairs with honesty and integrity, to the highest
professional standard.
About
Me
Rebecca
began riding horses when she was 7 years old. She had read the novel "The
Black Stallion" by Walter Farley as a 3rd grader, and his entire series
by 9th grade, moving on to the “My Friend Flicka,” series and
of course “Misty of Chincotique.” She has read all the horse
books we loved as kids, and adults as well. Her library of books grows monthly,
as her desire to continually learn and stay abreast of the trends of horses
and training.
Rebecca moved to Gainesville in 1974 and quickly got involved in the local
pony club, north Florida’s U.S. Pony Clubs affiliate. The love of
horses never left her, even during her teenage years. "In 1994 I had the opportunity to own my first horse, and took advantage of
it. It's what I do second best, because I love the animals so much!"
Rebecca says. "Each of my horses has their own story and quirky,
funny ways. I love the smell of them and the sound of crunching oats."
As this site is built you will get to know them through their bios. Through
years of hands-on experience and a growing collection of her own horses,
she decided it was time that they make some money for her to at least help
offset the feed bill. She runs her own Graphic
Design Firm (since 1990) and has now implemented
her horses into her livelihood. Sharing them with other people to learn
about riding and owning a horse has been a wonderful experience for Rebecca.
"They are the love of my life... besides my daughter, Amanda”
- an upcoming rider and horselover in her own right.
Thaddledo Farm (TDF) specializes in teaching children, beginner adults,
and timid riders the basics of horsemanship as well as a balanced seat.
Students will have the opportunity to compete in local/regional shows, if
desired. The most common age to begin riding lessons is six years old. However,
pony rides are available by appointment to younger horse enthusiasts, who
want the opportunity for hands on experience. TDF instructors are creative
in holding students interest and challenging them to succeed, while building
stronger communication between horse and rider by teaching students with
positive reinforcement.
All students begin riding lessons in an individual lesson. Students must
stay in the individual lessons until they are able to properly tack up and
control their mount at a walk and a trot, after which time the student may
choose to go into a group lesson program. Groups are established based on
riding ability and age of the riders.
Beginner riders will have lessons in an enclosed area until they can walk,
trot and canter safely.
Students must demonstrate their ability to stay in a jumping position (at
the trot) over a series of cavaletti prior to learning to canter. Students
who demonstrate their ability to control their mount at a walk, trot and
canter may then be allowed to ride in the open area. Students must be able
to ride a training level dressage test (walk, trot, canter) prior to riding
in the OPEN (hacks on property, trail rides, etc.). This ensures both student
and instructor that the student has control of their mount. Patient, knowledgeable
and professional attitude of the trainer(s) will allow students to finish
their lessons with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Specializing
in children, adult beginner and timid riders. Lessons to be paid at time
of service.
•Scheduled individual 1/2-hour lessons are $25 per lesson
These 1/2 sessions are designed for young children whose attention span
is not long enough to "go the hour". This is for the beginning
younger rider with little or no formal riding experience. Beginners are
great! Typically age ranges from 4 to 9, however, there are acceptions to
this. Once the younger rider is able to tack up their own mount, and feels
the need for more challenge, they will move on to the one-hour lessons (private
or group will be determined at time of advancement.)
•Scheduled
individual one-hour lessons are $35 per hour lesson
This hour session is designed for the beginning rider with little or no
formal riding experience, age 10 and up; riders with some experience—are
confident at a walk (can steer, stop); working on posting trot; riders confident
and in control at a walk and posting trot; working towards a canter and
jumping small cross rails; riders confident and in control at a walk, posting
trot and canter. Working towards and/or jumping cross rails..
•Free time riding $15 per hour (once approved, must be scheduled in advance.)
DISCOUNTS
Pay for 10 Lessons (to be used up within 15 weeks) for $300.00
Six lessons per month for $150.00 payable at the beginning of each month.
Horse Training, Retraining & Conditioning
Training
and Conditioning is billed at $35/hour (ride time and on-ground)
Discount packages available.
The
training program is run by Ms. Burns. She continues her education in dressage
with German master Berieter Wolfgang Scherzer riding with him (since 1997)
in monthly clinics in Central Florida. (In classical horseback riding,
the ranks that may be achieved progress through that of Bereiteranwaerter
(student rider) to Bereiter (rider) to Oberbereiter (teacher). The Germans
are very, very particular and slow to award these titles. It may take 15
years or more to become an Obereiter.) Becky is positive, enthusiastic
and is thoroughly dedicated to teaching strong basics. With over 30 years
of horse experience, horses are brought in for training to address specific
needs. Focus is placed on trust issues, ground manners, willingness of the
horse, and physical conditioning. Retraining for retired racehorses is available.
Round pen, open field, and access to the forest for working trail rides,
make the farm an ideal area to school horses for new careers. We work with
young and problem horses, with horse owners who are timid, fearful or uneducated
about how to handle or care for their horses. We also "come to you"
and work with your horse at your farm.
TRAINING TIME TABLE (example only)
•Young Horse Ground Training - Approximately 60 days.
The young horse-training program is the first step in assuring that a young
horse becomes a well-adjusted, respectful, and willing partner. Ground manners
including leading, tying, bathing, body control and movement, standing for
the farrier, clipping, and obstacles are addressed.
•Starting Colts - Average of 60-90 days.
Once the horse has demonstrated good ground manners, work is geared towards
riding. Complete acceptance of the saddle, bridle, and successful ground
driving sessions are conducted before mounted sessions begin. Once under
saddle, the emphasis is placed on creating light, supple, forward movement
that will have a good foundation for discipline training. Horses will demonstrate
the walk, trot, canter, halt, and back readily before graduating the Colt
Starting program.
•Greenbroke Horse - 30 day intervals.
Once the horse has mastered the basic skills of the Colt Starting Training
Program, riding discipline techniques begin to be taught while finishing
the horse to a pleasure horse ride ability status.
•Finishing - Minimum of 60 days.
Finishing takes the pleasure horse to the more advanced levels of riding,
and is geared toward showing. Technique training is continued from the green
broke horse-training program and is designed for a particular discipline.
The finished horse will demonstrate: a willingness to please, a love of
his work, and the required skills and finesse to succeed in the show ring.
The above programs are approximate times. Speed training is not what we
strive for; instead we want a quality, obedient and willing horse for clients.
Training times vary according to inherent temperament, history and willingness
of each horse. Respectful, skilled, willing and fun horses for our client
are what we strive for.
Care
for your horse is essential while you are away for business or pleasure.
With over 30 years of horse experience, we offer feeding services for your
horses (dogs, cats, etc.) $25/day within a 10 mile radius (then mileage
fee of 44 cents/mile applies) and limited to 4 horses. We will feed, check
for injuries, clean stalls, change out water, tidy up, turn in and turn
out, and blanket. Additional horses and animals will be quoted for a daily
fee.
Spring Cleaning! Have you ever had a case of strangles
or heard of anyone who has? It is a horrible thing to have happen to your
horse(s), farm and yourself. Six weeks quarantine is what it will get you,
not to mention the vet bills! Becky knows first hand, at her old farm, a
neighbor shipped a sick weanling in from the north, and five weeks later
her pregnant mare had a horrible case of the strangles. What a nightmare
- literally! For this reason we offer barn cleaning and sterilization
services. We come in clean the cobwebs, strip the stalls,
wash down stalls with a bleach solution, then again with a disinfectant.
All your neighbors will know your barn is clean, they'll be able to smell
the freshness of it, and you will love walking into your clean barn too!
Jobs are quoted with a 50% deposit required for work to commence. We also
can wash, reseal/repaint exterior, check for rotting wood and replace it,
inspect wiring, clean electrical outlets, wipe dust from fans and lights,
and replace blown bulbs. With over 25 years of construction experience to
back that up, we can quote on any farm/home repair project you might have.
Board
Pasture Board (limited space)
Boarders are fed horse quality coastal hay and quality sweet feed.
100% Pastsure turnout. No Stalls. $400.00 per month due on the first of
month.
Any other supplements, hays or feeds are at owners expense and delivery.
Other boarding services offered:
•45 minute hand walking & graze ($25.00/per)
•Blanketing and sheeting ($2.00 per on/off)
•Holding for Farrier $12.50 per horse
•Medications and bandaging. (price varies for degree of care.)
Available upon request: mane pulling, ear and whisker trimming, daily grooming,
daily tack up services (scheduled).
Farm policy
All horses must have current coggins. Shots and worming programs must be
kept current to barn standards. Owners are responsible for damages caused
by their horses. Turnouts and paddocks are available for supervised usage.
Dogs must be kept on a leash. Release forms mandatory.
Over 25 years of sewing experience, coupled with safety for your horse in mind. Blankets are evaluated and determined fixable or not, then price quoted before repair. 15% down to begin work.
Goin' Up Construction, Inc. - specializing in construction of barns, cracker houses, remodeling, docks and decks, seawalls, etc. Located in Gainesville and St. Augusine, FL. 352.505.0879 or 904.669.6997.