I take my clients at the Drug and Alcohol Rehab I work at here for Equine Therapy on Monday afternoon. I'm not too familiar with the whole horse stable/training/riding/etc thing, but this place seems pretty reasonable. It's $70 per client for a one hour Equine Therapy session. They (the client) learns how to take care of a horse, from walking and running it, to cleaning their hooves, to brushing it, to making the horse run laps and eventually riding the horse. It is a pretty cool process and I have learned a lot about horses myself just by showing up. The people that work here are very knowledgeable and helpful. The stables also seem very neat and clean and the horses seem happy enough. Pretty cool place to go if you're into wanting to learn to horseback ride or learn more about horses in general! Cheers! read more

I purchased a little Spanish Arabian named Hawk. I had horses as a child growing up and in the past 15 years had gotten away from it while raising a family. So when I purchased Hawk I was so excited to back into horses once again. I thought I had done enough by taking lessons a couple of years before I bought him to prepare myself for having a horse of my own. Although Hawk unfortunately was not as trained as I was told, I still believed he was the horse for me. The timing was really Good for me too. My dad just met Hawk just two days before my dad passed away. Having Hawk in my life at this time was very special and healing. Before I met Ann, Hawk and I while getting to know each other had a bad accident. While out riding early spring some sprinklers came on near us and spooked Hawk which resulted in both of us falling over and my ankle getting was crushed underneath him. After all of this Hawk and I really needed help. I needed to regain my confidence again and Hawk was still pretty green and needed some help as well. Before Ann I had been told by a couple of trainers here in Davis that Hawk may be to much horse for me, and to think of getting a horse more calm, older and experienced. I was devastated. I found Ann searching online in a desperate attempt to find another answer. I found Ann and she really is incredible! She was patient, listened to me and made me feel that with focus, dedication and time Hawk and I were not a wrong match. Ann is so professional. She is honest. Her approach to horse training is kind and assertive. She helped me regain my confidence. Everyday is still work and Hawk and I are doing well, but I feel confident knowing she is always there to help me when I need it. Sense I have been at the barn we're she teaches I have enjoyed watching her train other green horses. She is awesome to watch. Ann has also been giving my daughter riding lessons in hopes one day being able to ride Hawk as well. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for an honest person who really knows horses and has a lot of experience. Ann is really awesome and I am so grateful to have found her. Thank you Ann :) read more

Ann is the best!! I searched around for a while for a trainer that would work with my horse Reggie and help me sell him (we were moving out of state and couldn't take him). Reggie is a special horse with issues due to his previous owner being very abusive to him. I am a novice owner so I didn't know how to detect the signs that he had been abused. I knew something was wrong with him and that he needed a special trainer to work with him. Ann was wonderful, she took a lot of time with Reggie and really figured out what made him tick. She didn't just jump in to train him enough that he could be sold. She really worked hard with him breaking down what his issues were and what needed to be done for Reggie's best interest. After we moved she would text me pictures of him and give me weekly updates on his progress. I was so torn moving and not taking him with us, but in the end leaving him to train with Ann was the very best thing we could do for him. I can't say enough good things about how she really thought outside the box with his training and took him back to the basics to show him not everyone would beat him. Every time I saw a new picture or video of him I was amazed at how confident he had become. When he was ready to but put up for sale, Ann made sure he got the very best home for him. I was very impressed how she would tell me, after someone would look at him, that they just weren't the right home for him. She could of sold him to anyone but took the time to find him a GREAT home with a strong rider that knew how to work with him. Thank you, Ann, from the bottom of my heart. You were a life saver to Reggie and I will always appreciate all that you did for him. read more

Our son loves going every Sunday to ride Buster. He has gained so much self confidence since he started back in February 2011. His balance has improved, and his tolerance to a lot of things has improved. The volunteers are so happy to be there and help. (I think that they get as much out of it as the kids do!) I would recommend Helping Hooves to anyone who has a Special needs child. It is one of the best things that we have ever done for our son. read more

My idea to go horseback riding for my daughter's 15th birthday first originated by me buying a groupon, elsewhere. They promised a horseback riding "adventure". but when I began reading reviews and obtaining more info I discovered all we would be allowed to do was walk the horses in a ring. Walking in a circle was not quit the "adventure" I was hoping for so I started calling around to other stables. When I spoke to Ann Simon of "Helping Hooves" and explained the situation, she offered us a special deal that sounded much closer to what I was looking for. I was so excited to know that this experience would be educational as well as a horseback riding adventure! The stables were large, clean and well laid out with plenty of parking. As we walked up to meet Ann we saw riders in a big arena and behind that there were other horses being exercised in a ring to the left and more stables on the right. There was a lot going on and it was all interesting to see. I found Ann to be very sweet, patient and professional just as she sounded on the phone. She had our day all planned out. After introductions Ann had us help with gathering the needed equipment. Then, she taught us how to groom, bridle and saddle the horses. She also had an assistant there to help, as well. The horses were beautiful, gentle and well-cared for. I found out later that "Slider", the horse I rode, had been hand-fed and raised by Ann because it's mother died during his birth, a testimony to her years of experience and knowledge. My daughter rode a gelding named "Turner" and her two friends rode "Ellie" and "Gibson" who can all be viewed on Ann's website. Once ready, we led the horses on foot into a very large arena where Ann taught us some do's and don'ts and some safety rules. Then, we mounted up and learned the basic commands of walking forward, backing up, turning around and how to stop the horses safely. We rode in the ring to get more comfortable and then Ann took us out on the trail and up into the foothills. When Ann brought us back down she led us inside a smaller ring where she taught us how to jog and lope a little, one of the girls' favorite parts! When our riding time was up we led the horses back to the stables, unsaddled them, brushed them once more and put them away. We had brought apples and carrots and were allowed to feed them to the horses after they were back in their corrals. When Ann and I spoke on the phone previously, and she found out it was Rachel's birthday, she invited us to bring our lunch and birthday cake and stay to watch the rodeo held after our ride in the big arena, which we did. She, too, was a participant and when she got the chance rode over to where we were to explain what we were watching. They were roping calves in a competition and working as teams. It was really fun and interesting to watch and everyone there was very friendly. Another special point of interest is that Helping Hooves provides horseback riding lessons led by a Certified Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl) Instructor to individuals with and without disabilities. Ann also offers summer camps and other activities that we will look into. They sound really fun! We had a great time and amazing experience! The girls absolutely loved it and so did I!!! We all raved about it on the way home! The girls talked about having their birthdays there, too! Thank you again, Ann! Our experience with you and your beautiful horses is one we will appreciate for a long time to come and would love to come back again! You could not have been nicer to us all and made everyone feel very comfortable and involved. Will be in touch soon! Warm regards, ~Lori H. PS~Send a "nay" to the horses for us! lol! read more

Our 4 year old daughter has many challenges with her trunk control and tightness in her legs due to her cerebral palsy. She even had to have surgery to loosen her leg muscles and her Dr recommended we get her into a horseriding therapy program as soon as possible. She began riding two months ago and loves it! Her trunk control continues to improve with every session. She sits up much straighter now on her own and has even started talking more. Anne is a wonderful instructor and has a huge bag of tricks to help the children achieve their goals on the horse. The volunteers are all very compassionate and sweet to the children who have a variety of special needs. The prices are affordable and if you can pay up front or volunteer a certain number of hours a week, you may be eligible for additional discounts. We always look forward our Sundays riding Buster or Simba. read more

Hands Helping Hooves is an awesome program. I have been volenteering with this program for coming up on two years now. This experience has enriched my life in so many ways. I have seen so much progress and growth among the students and volenteers alike and it is truly inspirational. Anne is an amazing instructor who has made major benifits in the lives of so many children and adults. Whether you are considering becoming a student or volenteering you should come check this program out at Anaheim Saddle Club. It is most definately a worthwhile venture. read more

Ann is the best teacher for Western horseback riding that I have had the privilege to work with. Ann taught my daughter how to ride. She is very patient when working with her students. She teaches them how to do everything with the horse from the beginning to the end. My daughter was fearful at first if the horse went to fast, but with Ann's expertise she was able to relax and learn how to ride correctly. I love Simon Horsemanship and Ann is the best. I wish she was still in Petaluma so we could continue riding with her. Anyone looking for a great riding experience should work with Ann. Thank you Ann for being the best! read more

There is truly something for everyone at Helping Hooves: Therapy riding, riding lessons from beginner to advanced - of any and all ages - and volunteering opportunities. With the owner, Ann Simon, leading the way, you will learn from her many years of combined experience in all of these areas. You will learn so much. As a volunteer, you get real-time, hands-on experience working with students and horses. There are also many exciting things going on at Helping Hooves. In the two years I've been going there, she's done all kinds of lessons - some in fun groups, volunteer trainings, parties and more. It's a great program, with great horses and fun, experienced people. One of the great things about Ann is her incredible calmness and patience with her students and horses. She has an endless amount of both. If you are looking for fun, safe and skilled lessons in Orange County, this is the place for you and your family. Two thumbs way up for Helping Hooves. read more

My husband and I spent almost 2 years riding with Ann when Simon Horsemanship was located in Anaheim Hills. I had some previous experience and my husband had very little, but after working with Ann and her terrific horses, we both greatly improved our riding and horse care skills. We are retired and in our 50's and 60's. Ann's teaching method is appropriate for all ages and skill levels, she is truly a talented, patient, and honest teacher. We also observed how wonderful she is with teaching children to ride and learn all aspects of horse care. I've never seen such healthy,happy lesson horses! If you are looking for a great instructor who will fully immerse you in the horsemanship experience, give Ann a call ! read more