Riding Program

Mill Swamp Riders do not learn how to win ribbons in the show ring. They do not learn how to sit up straight and demonstrate "classical riding skills." Instead they learn how horses think and how to develop real relationships with horses. They learn to train the horses and themselves for endless hours of riding on the trails. They learn how to safely and humanely control horses. They learn to control their emotions. They learn to demonstrate maturity. Mill Swamp Riders range in age from five to over fifty. They participate in educational seminars and have a first rate library of natural horsemanship at their finger tips. They work to save rare and endangered horses, like the Corolla Spanish mustangs. They understand that they are not just taking "riding lessons", but instead are part of a movement to promote natural horsemanship and natural horse care.

Monthly Fees

We have different packages to accommodate the needs of different families with packages beginning at $100.00 per month. Our fee structure is not hourly because there is no additional fee for extra hours in the saddle. In the summer, several of my riders spend between ten and twenty hours a week at the horse lot with no extra charge. Monthly fees can be paid online by following this link Membership and Boarding payments.

Article from Virginia Sportsman Magazine

Our program has been followed by quite a few reporters. Here is an article written by the Virginia Sportsman Magazine in 2008.

Boarding

Many of our riders own and board their American Indian Horses with us.

On my first day out to the horse lot, I told my Mom that she might not be able to get me to ever leave. And that was before I even got on a horse. For my 11th birthday, I got a month's worth of riding lessons and before that month was out, I had gotten myself a job in order to pay for more lessons. I have now been riding for 9 years. And 5 years ago one of my Christmas gifts was a young mustang colt named Owl Prophet. And it was because of all Steve's investment and generosity. Over the years of riding with him and now boarding my horse there, he has offered me so many opportunities to grow and learn. As a homeschooler, I was able to spend almost every Friday (as well as Saturdays), in Smithfield learning the basics of natural horsemanship while working outside in a community of people. I have grown in confidence and through learning self-control when working with wild and nervous horses. And because of Steve's commitment to finding the strengths of individuals and building his program on those strengths, I was encouraged to learn how to understand and love people more deeply and wholesomely through interacting and working alongside them. And I was able to learn as much as I wanted. Steve pushed me to overcome my shyness with courage in teaching me how to work with my nervous jumpy long legged colt. And because he was willing to let me learn and teach myself through practice and experience, I was able to train my horse completely by myself. He is now 9 yrs. old and even though I enjoy riding any horse I am offered, I can with confidence, always pick Owl Prophet to ride when I need a guaranteed reliable horse.

--Lydia Barr, Hampton Roads, VA