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Welcome to the Empire Pony Pals!

OUR MISSION:

To provide affordable programs for local youth to be involved with horses

in a non-riding capacity that develops their understanding, knowledge and

proper stewardship of horses. 

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**We accept children ages 7 to 17.**

If you have a younger child, they may observe classes to gauge interest, but full participants must be able to hold attention, listen to instructors and communicate all without the help of their parent.

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We have updated our Classes for 2025 Season:

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Beginner Kids Class Sessions - 6 Weeks - $165

​Spring I: April 6 - May 11, Sundays 1:30 to 3:00

Spring II: May 18 - June 22, Sundays 1:30 to 3:00

Summer I: June 29 - Aug 6, Sundays 1:30 to 3:00

Summer II: Aug 10 - Sept 14, Sundays 1:30 to 3:00

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Advanced Kids Performance Troupe **

​Session starts March 30 through November 30th

Sundays 3:00 to 5:00, Tuesdays 5:00 to 7:00

​Costs:

Pay per Class: $35.00

Pre-Pay Monthly (4 classes): $125.00

Full Season Pre-Pay: $850.00
** You MUST have completed the Beginner Class 6 week session before being considered for the Performance Troupe.**

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We Accept the Following Payment Forms:
Personal Check (to Empire Hills Farm, LLC)
Cash
Venmo 

 
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Please fill out one sign up sheet per child and one waiver per child.
You can email completed pdf's to us at empirehillsfarm@gmail.com 
or Snail Mail to 13330 S. Coleman Rd
Empire MI 49630
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Meet Our Instructors

We have a great team of instructors ready to help you begin your journey with horses!

Owner, Empire Hills Farm

Horse Enthusiast

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Michele bought Empire Hills Farm about 10 years ago, with hopes of turning it into a working farm in the community, complete with produce, eggs, flowers and of course animals!

 

Michele has been involved with horses since she was a child, competing in various disciplines, both English and Western.

 

Her farm is home to her 5 horses, a donkey, a mini mule, goats, chickens, ducks, quail, Big Papa the turkey and of course, Alex and Napoleon, our mini horses!

Pony Pal Marketing

Horse Enthusiast

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Gretchen has loved horses since childhood, riding western strictly for fun. She purchased her first horse (a Tennessee Walker) in 1989, but work and life took her away from riding for 30 years.

 

In 2022, she started riding again with her two horses, Fiona (a Kentucky Mountain Horse) and Maestro (a Tennessee Walker).

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Pony Pal Curriculum 

Horse Enthusiast

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Leah has been involved with horses for many years, working with gaited horses, until recently making a switch to a new discipline, Western Dressage.

As an educator, Leah designs our lesson plans and our curriculum/activities.

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She enjoys spending time with her horse Maeven

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Meet Our Horses

Our growing herd of Horses is waiting to meet you!

Napoleon is our youngster. He is about 4 years old and came to us from a rough start. He was found living in a junk yard, and hadn't been handled properly. He has been living at Abraham Ranch through the efforts of Michigan Humane during his recovery and is still on the learning end of being handled and how to be a proper horse. He is as cute as can be, is full of personality and we are thrilled to have him at the farm!

Alex is an older horse, well into his 20's. He was found as a stray roaming the streets of Detroit. No one is sure where he came from, or what he's seen in his decades of lie, but he too was at Abraham Ranch and rehabbed by Michigan Humane. We were happy to bring him to the farm to be a part of our program and give him a loving home for the rest of his life. He's sweet and wise, and seen some things. 

Ginzy is not a Mini Horse. She is Michele's OTTB (Off-Track Thoroughbred) mare. Ginzy cannot be ridden due to an injury.

She now serves as the Pony Pals Mascot and helps our older kids learn about handling full size horses. She loves attention and is happy to have a job to do.

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