Horse Encounters

The Horse Encounters riding academy is designed to teach self esteem through love and respect.  Horse Encounters is a place where a child learns much more about a horse than just a riding lesson.  The riders learn how to be safe around a horse, grooming, different kinds of feeds and feeding, anatomy and general health maintenance.  We try to illustrate all aspects of caring for a horse, so the child knows what is expected if ever they want to purchase a horse of their own.  The students also learn that the horse is a living animal and needs to be respected.  With that respect the horse/rider  bond is formed as the horse also learns to respect the new rider.  Communication is a much needed tool while riding at Horse Encounters.  We do not make horses "DO" anything.  We always ASK our horses to do a task - walk, trot, canter.

My interest in horses started the ripe age of four on top of a Welsh pony named Gypsy in Mesa, AZ.  From that first ride with my father beside me I was hooked.  I have not been without a horse since.

My life long dream has been to work with children and horses; to give back what I have found to be so rewarding.  Riding is more than being on top of a horse's back.  It is the relationship, the trust and the self esteem that horses have taught me.

I graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources and Family Science.  I was on the UNL horse judging team in 1993.  I became a 4-H horse leader in two different states; Nebraska from 1993-1995 and Montana from 1998-1999.  After graduation I worked for a veterinarian on a horse ranch as an After Care Provider, taking care of the seriously injured horses.  In the fall of 1999, I moved to Texas and soon after started working for Barnes Therapy, a hippotherapy clinic for children with disabilities where horses are used for physical therapy.  I started the Horse Encounters riding program in the fall of 2002 and became a certified therapeutic riding instructor through NARHA and started working for Riding Unlimited as an instructor for the disabled.  All in all, I have approximately 36 years of owning, caring, showing and teaching with horses.

If you are interested in private or group lessons for your son or daughter (or yourself!), call or email me today.
(910).604.2890
Lori@HorseEncounters.com