Our trusty lesson horses have their own strategy when the weather turns extra chilly.

Lesson horses take extra naps.

If you’ve ever walked through the school barn on a chilly day, you’ll see lots of ‘tails on the ground.’ Sleeping horses will be dead to the world, dreaming of summer days. You’ll see horses so relaxed that their snouts are in the shavings, creating fountains of bedding. If you’re extra quiet, you’ll even hear snoring and maybe even Fred whinnying in his sleep.

Oh, and we think Vaughn may have a sleep disorder. Does anyone have a sleep mask in horse size to save him from his sleep apnea?

Lesson Horses Eat and Sleep In Extra Hay.

Nancy makes sure the horses have all the hay they can eat outside. The hay keeps the horses warm and safe in the chilly weather.

You may never see Bee and Fiona’s heads come up from their hay tubs when the chilly weather arrives.

Lesson Horses Enjoy Hot Breakfast.

 That’s right, when it’s extra chilly, the lesson stars enjoy a hot bran mash to keep their bodies happy.

Watching and listening to them slurp their hot steaming breakfast is a highlight of your life once you hear it.

Lesson Horses Wear Stylish Clothes.

Our lesson horses have coats for when the temps fall below zero at night.

Some of their blankets have turtlenecks, some are in loud colors, and some are tastefully neutral colored, but they all keep our precious lesson horses toasty warm.

Attendance Increases at Bilbo’s Yoga Classes.

Chilly weather brings stiff bodies. Bilbo invites all his fellow lesson horses, regardless of body type, to join in stretching and spiritual growth.

While they’re in, the lesson horses enjoy their heated barn and lots of shavings, lots of attention from students and staff, and lessons in their heated arena.

We are grateful for our furnaces.

We take care of the horses in cold weather, and we want to make sure riders and helpers take care of themselves.

Riders should have gloves for their riding lessons, and warmer gloves for work in the barn.

Helpers should have hats for outdoor work, and dress in layers. You’ll want all the layers outside, but will get warm while working inside with the horses.

We appreciate our helpers, and want to make sure they stay safe and comfortable when the cold weather appears.

What’s Coming Up?

Knockout Banquet

Saturday, January 31

The Legend at Merrill Hills

160 Knockouts and  friends will gather for our annual celebration of all things Knollwood.

We’ll enjoy wonderful food and company, review 2025 with treasurer Susan, hear Scott’s State of the Farm address, award academy riders, learn who won the School Horse of the Year award, review the year with a slide show, and dance the night away with our DJ.

Please remember to follow the club’s dress code: No denim of any kind, and men must wear shirts with collars.

Enrolled Rider Camp Selection

February 1 – 28

Riders currently enrolled in our lesson program can pick their week of summer riding school before dates are opened to the public.

Be sure to pick up your list of dates, and fill out the form once you’ve made your selection.

All camps will be billed in March.

Order Your Jelly Bean jods!

Also February 1-28

We’re offering navy jods with tan patches and the Knollwood logo embroidered on the back of one pant leg.

We’re offering the jods in youth sizes XS – XL,  and the base price is $104, tax included. Jods can be customized by length or width, and belt loops can be added as well. These have a small additional charge, please see the order blanks for more information.

Size samples will be available in the school barn lounge.

Used Academy Clothing Sale

February 7

10:00 AM

Looking for academy clothing for the 2026 season? Come shop our in-house sale, and shop with seasoned academy parents who are ready to help with sizing and colors.

Trish Tailoring Appointments

February 21

9:00 AM

The amazing Trish will be at the farm to measure for alterations, or for new shirts and vests.

Please talk to Ann if you’d like an appointment.

Knollwood Spring Show Entries Begin

March  6

Our first in-barn show of 2026 is happening on May 15-17, and we’re taking entries from March 6-20.

Be sure to talk to your instructor to see if the show is right for you.

Academy Kick Off

March 14

6:00 PM

All academy show riders and their families are invited to join us for a fun and informative evening.   Karina is joining us to teach hair and makeup tips, and we’ll have other experts to help with packing, prepping, and how to tie the perfect tie knot.

IASPHA Spring Show

April 11-12

It’s our first academy show of 2026, and we can hardly wait.

Knollwood Spring Show

May 15-17

It’s time for our first in-barn show weekend.

Please plan on joining us!

See you soon at the barn.