Nickel-O Farms- Review! #RNYMBucketList

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post as Nickel-O Farms is a directory member.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Pleased to be checking items off of our #RNYMBucketList this early in the year, here is installment 1.  Horseback riding.  Its a great skill, one I loved as a kid at camp, and my brother even pursued.  So excited that I was able to share it with my kids, that they weren’t scared (actually LOVED it), found a great place to go, and look forward to going again. 

RNYM recently had the pleasure to begin working with Nickel-O Farms. They have joined our camps directory, and became one of our spring/summer bucket list options as one thing my kiddos wanted to do was to learn how to ride a horse.  They always enjoy the “pony” rides at events we attend, but wanted something more.

Nickel-O has lessons, as well as scouting events, camp, and animals available for birthday parties. It is located right in West Nyack and Lisa (the owner) is more than sweet.

 

We headed over for a riding lesson with the kids and didn’t know what to expect. We had been told that long pants and boots or something with a hard sole would be best so that’s what we wore.  Safety is most important at Nickel-O so the first thing we did was get fitted for helmets.  Then we were brought over to Sara who introduced us to our horse for the day, Small Bear.

I thought that it would be a little lighter than it was but the kids were thrown right in (I’m glad) and (A) was taught how to walk Small Bear Bear right over to the stables. After a few pointers (A) was able to get right onto him.  I figured (having literally no background in riding other than the lessons we had at my sleep away camp when I was 10) that they would ride around a few times and they would get the hang of it but nope.  They did a ton!!!

After a few basic lessons on the reigns while going around the corral I was shocked that Sara started explaining to (A) how to steer Small Bear to do a zig zag through the cones. Without a lead line or anything!  It took him a few seconds to get the hang of it and he was doing it on his own!!!  I honestly would have been impressed if we stopped right there.  They had already blown my expectations away, but then Sara brought (A) and Small Bear into the adjoining corral.

There they worked on walking over obstacles, including cavaleties in the ground, and also a bridge. THEN THEY GOT TO JOG!  This was the highlight of the experience if you ask (A) or (E).  They LOVED it!!!

When ½ hour was up (A) was instructed how to get off Small Bear ‘like a cowboy’ and came out all smiles. At this time (E) was heading in for her lesson.  Being 5 I assumed it would be drastically different.  NOPE!  She did all the SAME things that (A) had done (but with a lead line held by Sara).  She too enjoyed every moment, and Sara told us at the end that for most kids her age they would have only started with 15 minutes, but that she did so well that she got to do the whole ½ hour.  When it was completed she was instructed how to walk Small Bear back to the cross ties and hook him up.

At this point Sara told them a bit about how to care for a horse, and about how riding lessons are about more than just the “riding” it’s also caring for the horse, and having a relationship with them where they trust you. You have to take care of them.  The kids got to brush him a bit, and were given a lesson on the difference between the grooming tools.

At this time I pulled the kids aside to ask them a few questions about the experience (it’s really cool that they are old enough to do that now). Both reported that they would LOVE to do it again, or go for a trail ride in the future.  They also reported that they LOVED jogging, and recommend that others try it.

Nickel-O was a fabulous experience for my guys. They wanted terribly to learn more about horseback riding, and to do more than be led around a pony area.  This was the second item we were able to cross off of our #RNYMBucketlist.  If you are interested in going for a ride, camp, lessons, a scouting event, birthday party or anything else, please contact Lisa Owens at:

Nickel-O Farms
369 Strawtown Road, West Nyack, NY 10994, USA

Phone:     (845) 353-8006

​Fax:        (845) 348-8178

E-mail:    nickelo123@aol.com

As always we appreciate your mentioning that you read it here :o)

Upcoming Events or Programs:

CAMP