Both English and
Western styles of riding are taught at TELC, with an emphasis on the hunt
seat, as 90% of the students prefer this style. We enhance the rider's
skill with basic dressage movements and terminology, at the beginner and
intermediate levels, and teach at all levels through advanced on the flat
and over fences.
Therapeutic Riding Program
A therapeutic riding
program is available for children and adults with cognitive or physical
disorders, such as MR, ADD, ADHD, speech problems, and mild motor skill
difficulties.
TELC also joined teams with the Easter Seals during 2009 for a therapeutic riding program, which will continue in 2010.
Special Programs
Special riding
programs for local recreation boards are an important feature at
TELC. Currently we have programs with West Shore Recreation and
Leisure Services, Hampden Township Parks & Recreation, and Mechanicsburg Recreation Board. We do vacation
packages for international clients, and are involved with programs for
C.E.O. stress reduction. A very popular program with the younger children
is the first pony ride experience, The Mini Horsemanship Lesson.
The Girl Scouts and
Boy Scouts have taken our courses to earn credit for their merit
badges. Our riding program has also qualified for home school
physical education requirements.
Boarding
TELC is a full
service boarding facility, located in Lisburn, PA. We feature both an indoor
and a large outdoor riding arena, as well as trail riding on woodland
bridle paths and country meadow trails.
Boarding stalls
measure 10.5' x 11.5' with sliding doors, solid wall partitions, and
welded wire bite guards above the partition. The stalls area bedded with
sawdust, and cleaned regularly.
Horses are fed twice
daily, with the ration based on the horses level of work. Fresh water is
given 2-3 times daily, more often in hot weather.
We have a
veterinarian on call 24 hours a day, and a blacksmith who visits on a
routine schedule.
Joanne Hocker
Joanne Hocker, owner
and manager of Total Equine Learning Center, received her B.S. degree from
PSU as well as continuing education credits in riding for the disabled
through PSU training courses. She has owned horses since 1972, and has
been teaching professionally since 1977. Joanne has served on the
Animal Health and Diagnostic Committee for the State of Pennsylvania.
As a horse crazy
kid, Jo's only dream was to raise her own "champion" of some
kind. Her dream began to take shape when she started riding lessons one
summer at a local dude ranch in Lancaster County. Later, she started hunt
seat instruction. When she entered college, she decided that sharing
information and training others was the most important thing she could do.
Thirty-two years later she's still shaping her dream by opening the door
to others.
*Joanne was named Instructor of the Year by the West Shore Rec Board for 2008*
