A free first step toward a lifetime with horses.
The HERD gives children the opportunity to become part of the ranch, learn practical horsemanship, and discover what it means to care for horses—at no cost to their families.
This is where committed young horse lovers begin.
More than time with horses
The HERD is a hands-on, ground-based horsemanship program. Children do not simply visit the horses; they learn how to contribute to their care and become trusted members of the barn community.
Saturday activities may include:
Moving safely around horses
Grooming, haltering, and leading
Learning to recognize horse behavior
Feeding and basic horse care
Cleaning stalls and maintaining shared spaces
Horse anatomy, health, and equipment
Ranch-inspired Saddle & STEM projects
Teamwork, problem-solving, and barn responsibilities
Children build confidence by doing real work, practicing new skills, and discovering that they are capable of making a meaningful contribution.
A pathway into Riding Club
The Herd is the gateway to our HERD Scholarship Program.
Children who successfully complete The HERD earn a full scholarship to continue into Riding Club. As long as they remain actively engaged and meet the program’s attendance, behavior, and participation expectations, their scholarship continues throughout their Riding Club journey.
Our goal is simple: family finances should never determine how far a committed young horseperson can go.
What does “successfully complete” mean?
The Herd is free, but it requires genuine commitment. Participants are expected to:
Attend consistently and arrive ready to participate
Follow safety instructions around horses and tools
Treat horses, people, equipment, and shared spaces with respect
Participate in all parts of the program—including barn work
Demonstrate kindness, responsibility, and teamwork
Show continued interest in learning and contributing
Scholarships are earned through participation and demonstrated readiness—not riding ability or prior horse experience.
Is The HERD a riding program?
The Herd is a non-riding horsemanship program. Its purpose is to give children the knowledge, safety skills, responsibility, and horse-care foundation they need before entering Riding Club.
Children who complete the program and are ready to advance will be offered an appropriate Riding Club placement as space becomes available.
Program details
12:30–1:30 p.m. Saturdays (September 2026 - December 2027)
Morning Star Ranch · 1450 Sunshine Valley Road, Montara, California
Cost: Free
A free first step toward a lifetime with horses.
The HERD gives children the opportunity to become part of the ranch, learn practical horsemanship, and discover what it means to care for horses—at no cost to their families.
This is where committed young horse lovers begin.
More than time with horses
The HERD is a hands-on, ground-based horsemanship program. Children do not simply visit the horses; they learn how to contribute to their care and become trusted members of the barn community.
Saturday activities may include:
Moving safely around horses
Grooming, haltering, and leading
Learning to recognize horse behavior
Feeding and basic horse care
Cleaning stalls and maintaining shared spaces
Horse anatomy, health, and equipment
Ranch-inspired Saddle & STEM projects
Teamwork, problem-solving, and barn responsibilities
Children build confidence by doing real work, practicing new skills, and discovering that they are capable of making a meaningful contribution.
A pathway into Riding Club
The Herd is the gateway to our HERD Scholarship Program.
Children who successfully complete The HERD earn a full scholarship to continue into Riding Club. As long as they remain actively engaged and meet the program’s attendance, behavior, and participation expectations, their scholarship continues throughout their Riding Club journey.
Our goal is simple: family finances should never determine how far a committed young horseperson can go.
What does “successfully complete” mean?
The Herd is free, but it requires genuine commitment. Participants are expected to:
Attend consistently and arrive ready to participate
Follow safety instructions around horses and tools
Treat horses, people, equipment, and shared spaces with respect
Participate in all parts of the program—including barn work
Demonstrate kindness, responsibility, and teamwork
Show continued interest in learning and contributing
Scholarships are earned through participation and demonstrated readiness—not riding ability or prior horse experience.
Is The HERD a riding program?
The Herd is a non-riding horsemanship program. Its purpose is to give children the knowledge, safety skills, responsibility, and horse-care foundation they need before entering Riding Club.
Children who complete the program and are ready to advance will be offered an appropriate Riding Club placement as space becomes available.
Program details
12:30–1:30 p.m. Saturdays (September 2026 - December 2027)
Morning Star Ranch · 1450 Sunshine Valley Road, Montara, California
Cost: Free
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