For ages six to 16, with or without any prior horse experience.

Lessons include hands-on learning about horses: safety around horses, grooming, haltering, leading, basic riding.

Equine Spirit Sanctuary provides the instructor, the horses, the facility, and the equipment.

Fee:
One hour lesson $25
Or
A one-hour lesson, with two children per class of similar ages and abilities, with two horses. $20 per child, per lesson.

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Before the season starts in May you can purchase a punch card for 6 lessons. Pay for 5, get the 6th lesson free. Children's card is $125. Adults, same program of beginner lessons, $175.

Must call ahead to schedule lessons. Lessons are offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays beginning in May.

Instructors for this program are Ellie Behrstock and Ruth Bourgeois:

Ellie Behrstock
Ellie is a horse-woman, writer, painter, and expressive arts therapist. Ellie grew up riding horses, riding in Pony Club and competing in regional competitions. In 1979 she won the North American Junior Championships in Three Day Event Riding. She has taught riding lessons and worked as a therapeutic riding instructor in the Boston area for many years.

Ellie currently works as a visiting artist in the Taos elementary schools, teaches creative writing classes at UNM, and runs "Seasonal Celebrations" for Taos children, an arts-based event celebrating the rhythms and ways of Nature.

Ellie is co-executive director of the non-profit "Open Hearth Arts." She and her husband David own the Taos Plaza Theater and are working to renovate and revive this important Taos gathering place. Ellie and David have a 5 year old son, Ian.





Ruth Bourgeois
Ruth is the founder and director of the Equine Spirit Sanctuary.

Her background includes a lifetime of working with horses, riding and training horses for pleasure, dressage, and many miles in competitive trail riding.

She has coached junior riders in dressage and Pony Club activities, and managed many horse shows and events.

She enjoys working with the disabled and overseeing the work of the Equine Spirit Sanctuary.