Adaptive Riding Lessons

All of B.O.K. Ranch’s Adaptive Riding Lessons are group lessons. The maximum amount of riders in a class is four. During each lesson, riders are taught how to work together as a team with their horse and with their classmates.

Maximum Support Lessons

A maximum support rider is a rider who requires two side walkers (a person on both the right and left side of the horse) and a horse handler (a person walking at the head of the horse). Riders may need additional help with balance, fine motor skills (holding the reins), and following directions.

Minimum Support Lessons

A minimum support rider can control their horse independently under “normal” circumstances. They are assisted in lessons by a spotter or potentially a horse handler who is in place in case of an emergency. Minimum support riders are usually beginning to trot their horses with assistance.

Transition Lessons

Transition riders are able to groom, saddle, and ride their horses independently. Some transition riders are beginning to learn how to canter their horses. These riders could potentially begin riding at a main stream riding center, however, for the time being may need to take instruction in a more structured and individualized environment.

Rider Criteria

• All B.O.K. Ranch riders must be able to sit up independently on a horse without any type of head, neck, or back support.

• Riders can not exhibit any behaviors that would make riding dangerous (i.e. hitting, kicking, biting, screaming).

• All riders must be able to wear an approved riding helmet, during all lessons.

• Riders must weigh under 180 lbs.

• An intake packet including a physicians release form must be completed before lessons can be scheduled.

Enrollment Process

First Step:

Call the Program Director to discuss eligibility and current lesson availability.

Have initial intake packet sent out.

Second Step:

Fill out intake packet, including having the physicians form filled out and send it all back to the B.O.K. Ranch main office.

Third Step:

A 30 minute intake assessment; consisting of a brief evaluation to help determine the most appropriate riding lesson group (Maximum Support, Minimum Support, or Transition).

Fourth Step:

Start attending once a week, one hour riding lessons. The B.O.K. Ranch is currently conducting 7 week sessions. Riders attend once a week for one hour.

Enrollment process and associated costs are subject to change. 

Please call the office about current lesson rates.

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Volunteer Lesson Program

The B.O.K. Ranch offers riding lessons to its volunteers!

After a lot of feedback from both past and present volunteers, the B.O.K. Ranch began offering 1 hour group lessons at a reduced rate as a THANK YOU to all qualifying volunteers.

Riders are grouped and taught at all riding levels’ novice through advanced. The techniques taught can be applied to any discipline of horsemanship from reining to jumpers.

Volunteer lessons are currently being offered weekday evenings, scheduled immediately after the therapeutic riding program.

These lessons are offered to volunteers who are actively contributing a minimum of one full volunteer shift each week.

Riders must weigh less than 180 lbs.

Although volunteer lessons are taught to a wide variety of different skill sets, these lessons are not therapeutic riding lessons.

Riders must be able to follow and respond to multi-step instructions, and be able to safely control their horse in an enclosed arena with other riders. All volunteer lesson participants must be able to ride completely independently (horse handlers and/or side walkers are not provided during these lessons).

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Interactive Vaulting

Vaulting is a gymnastic based, team sport that is performed on the back of a moving horse.

Interactive vaulting is one of three different types of vaulting, recognized by NARHA.

The first type known as “Developmental Vaulting” can be seen practiced in therapeutic riding, buy more commonly used during hippotherapy sessions (to learn more about Hippotherapy, please visit our news page). Developmental Vaulting takes place when the person on the horse is put into various developmental positions, i.e. air plane arms, kneeling, standing, etc. Side walkers and horse handlers are in place.

The second type known as “Interactive Vaulting” can be found at many therapeutic riding centers throughout the US. In this type of vaulting the horse is on a lunge line and there are usually no side walkers. There is up to 6 vaulters in the class working together as a team. All of the vaulters are able to assist one another onto the horse. The vaulters practice both their compulsory and freestyle moves (known as kur) on a barrel before trying them on a moving horse. Interactive vaulters must be ambulatory and able to follow multi-step directions within seconds. This includes emergency dismounting independently. Vaulting moves may be adapted and modified to meet the needs of an individual vaulter. In Interactive Vaulting, helmets are worn unless there is a specific release signed stating otherwise.

The third type known as “Sport Vaulting” also known as competitive vaulting is the most advanced level of vaulting. There are vaulting clubs through the world who compete against each other in individual and team competitions. Competitive vaulters mount and dismount at the trot or canter. In Competitive Vaulting helmets are never worn, as the weight and the bulk of a helmet may actually cause an element of risk to the vaulter. These vaulters can start as young children and continue competing through adulthood.

American Vaulting Association

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Therapeutic Driving

The B.O.K. Ranch has purchased a Quarter Horse mare named Idgie, who is well trained to drive, for the purpose of becoming our new therapeutic driving horse.

The B.O.K. Ranch wheelchair accessible carriage has been completely refurbished and is ready for service.

Therapeutic driving is a wonderful addition to the many recreational programs offered by the B.O.K. Ranch. This unique equine assisted activity can potentially bring the world of horses into the lives of many interested parties that may not be able to physically sit astride a horse in the traditional way.

B.O.K. is now taking applicants for this program which will be starting in 2008.

NARHA Driving Program

Peninsula Carriage Driving Club

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Working Student Program

The B.O.K. Ranch offers work exchange programs for dedicated and hard working equestrians. Working students must be at minimum of 15 years old with a strong knowledge base in general horse care, stable management, and equine first aid.

Scheduling is flexible; working students commit to helping the equine director for a mutually decided upon number of days per week in exchange for no cost riding lessons with a B.O.K. instructor.

Job responsibilities may include such tasks as: feeding, grooming, applying standing wraps, bathing, clipping, mucking, assist in running errands, and schooling horses.

To become a working student please contact Tish Callos, Program Director at

(650) 366-2265 or at tishcallos@yahoo.com.

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FHAR Program

Twice a week a group of three FHAR day program participants come to the B.O.K. Ranch for one hour to learn the different aspects of horsemanship.

These adult horse enthusiasts learn about a wide variety of equine assisted activities including: grooming, bathing, breed and color recognition, lunging, different types of feed, stable maintenance and cleaning, horse confirmation, identifying and cleaning tack and other horse related equipment.

FHAR participants also learn the correct way to lead a horse in a halter, tie a quick release knot, how to approach a horse and catch a horse in a multi-horse pasture, and the different ways to read a horse’s body language.

Other activities have also included watching and talking to both veterinarians and farriers. The FHAR participants enjoy helping out while the horses receive their medical check ups and their new shoes!

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