Seneca Valley Riding Academy

01/27/2026

Due to the overwhelming response requesting to reschedule, and the concern of negative temperatures and treacherous road conditions, we will be postponing lessons until next week. Stay safe and warm everyone!!!

01/26/2026

For most, riding lessons are not just about riding, it’s about spending time with the horse. It’s therapy for some, a place to not think about the chores of the day. The weather has riding instructors and students worried about their barn time and how to keep everyone involved.

Unmounted Riding Lessons: Horsemanship Beyond the Saddle

Looking to sharpen your horse skills—snow🥶 or shine? 🌦️ Unmounted Riding Lessons are a fun, hands-on way for equestrians of all ages to boost their horsemanship, even when you’re not in the saddle! 🐴

· Horse Care Basics: Learn about herd behavior, nutrition, grooming, and safety at the barn.

· Health Know-How: Get practical tips on wound care and building your own first aid kit.

· More to Explore: Dive into hoof care, tack care, and horse anatomy.

Unmounted lessons keep you learning and connected with horses—perfect for days when riding isn’t possible. You’ll grow your confidence and knowledge, all while having a blast!

01/22/2026

01/21/2026

12/13/2025

Our new website and phone number are now live! Check it out!

Discover Seneca Valley Stable in Harmony, PA. Horseback riding lessons available- contact now to book!

12/01/2025

11/30/2025

10/30/2025

10/26/2025

10/17/2025

I have known, and PREACHED this ALL my life. Finally, someone wrote an article and presented good photos.
ORIGINAL POST BY: Running T Horsemanship, Dana Lovell
We are big at teaching the "why" - this was too good not to share. It's the "little" things you do to help your horse that makes them happy and enjoy their time with you.
⬆️Pulling your saddle pad up into the pommel.
💪 It can can take a bit of practice with saddle shifting and pad pulling, but your horse will appreciate it.
🙁 Without being pulled up, when the saddle is cinched the pad presses down on the withers potentially causing discomfort.
😀 With the pad pulled up into the pommel the withers have room to move and there isn't a pressure point.
If you aren't already in the habit of doing this the next time you ride put your fingers between the pad and your horses withers while walking or trotting.
It's our job to make sure that they can comfortably carry us. This simple shift ⬆️ can help to make that happen.

10/01/2025

👀 Which one is the correct wrist position?

Most riders hear about the elbow-wrist–bit line… but very few really know what it means or how important it is. Once they do, they can start to make real, positive changes to their riding.

🧤 It’s launch week for our new SymmFit Insight Gloves… so we’re talking hands a lot this week!

The problem? This line is often never explained properly. Many riders just think it means “hands pointing at the horse” - without understanding how their wrist position affects it.

And most have never had a good visual to check their own position. That’s exactly why I designed the Insight Gloves.

👉 Look at the pink line on the photos - follow it from the forearm, down the hand, and to the bit. Which one shows a straight line (with no break or twist), and is therefore best directed towards the horse’s mouth with a neutral wrist?
Because it matters 👇

✅ When your wrist lines up with the rein in neutral, the contact feels soft, consistent, and elastic. Your fingers can make tiny adjustments without tension, and the horse feels clarity rather than noise.
❌ When the wrist dips down (ulnar deviation – 2), rotates forward (pronation – 3) or rotates back (supination – 4), the line from elbow to bit is lost and the horse gets mixed messages.
But it goes deeper than just the line:

🔹 A change in wrist position changes how your finger muscles engage
🔹 It changes how much “volume control” you have - whether your contact is subtle and adjustable, or just on/off
🔹 And it changes what the horse feels in the mouth, every stride

Small details like this are often overlooked, but they transform the quality of your contact and how your horse responds.

👇 So, be honest… which wrist position are you most guilty of?

Want to read more about wrist position when riding? Check out this blog post…

🔗www.pegasusphysio.co.uk/single-post/soft-hands-when-riding

09/23/2025