Fox Lake Hunt Club, located at 5813 Honert Road in Hadley Township, is in its fourth year as a full-fledged boarding lesson facility.
Owner Kim Palazzola is offering a new training technique to the lesson program at Fox Lake, the lunge line, which helps the trainer control the horse. The line is used primarily in training students ages 4-6 year olds, but is also used for lessons involving other students as well.
Fox Lake offers classes beginning with students ages 5-7, then from age 7 on up, including adult classes. Fox Lake offers classes at the beginning, intermediate, adult, and women’s adult jumping levels. Palazzola said classes are typically limited to 5-6 people each, and two trainers are available for all lessons.
She also said more experienced riders are allowed to go on a trail ride near the club, 1/4 of a mile from the trail.
‘We teach manners from the ground up, from grooming to getting on the horse,? Palazzola said.
One of the staff members on hand at Fox Lake is Gerardo Gonzalez, a fourth generation Spanish Vaquero style horse trainer. In his 30-plus years of experience, he has incorporated methods of communication with the horse that helps the horse understand more precisely what is asked of it.
He has traveled the United States extensively, demonstrating the time-proven ideas of the Spanish Vaqueros ? which all natural horsemanship methods originated from.
Under the Spanish Vaquero methods, Gonzalez said students will learn how to communicate with their horse and became their leader, as well as understand why horses behave the way they do and how to prevent ‘bad behavior? before it starts.
One of the students taking lessons at Fox Lake is Lisa West, 6, of Elba Township in Lapeer County. Lisa has been taking lessons since September 2004.
‘We’ve finally got her involved and working with animals,? Lisa’s mom, Jan West said. ‘She’s progressing a lot. She likes coming here, and enjoys working with Kim.?
When asked what the top rule of horse riding is, Lisa quipped, ‘Don’t run over your trainer.?
While some stables do not provide anything but the stall, Fox Lake is considered a full-care boarding facility. Palazzola said the staff at Fox Lake takes great care to make sure the horses are taken care of, and a staff member is on duty 24 hours a day to watch the horses.
Fox Lake offers many activities for children, including birthday parties and Friday night fun parties, in which children sign up for the horse they want to ride, and pizza is available during that time.
Fox Lake is offering a special for students in which five lessons will be provided for a cost of $125, Palazzola said. She added students can invite a friend to come along for the lessons, and they can ride for free.
5813 Honert Road, Hadley Township.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and
9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends.
Details: (248) 627-1416.