The MEPS vision: high-quality, accessible, affordable, safe and fun recreational and educational equestrian programs for youth and adults.

Riding Lessons
Riding Lessons will be taught at all levels with a special emphasis on beginners and youth.

Oakland City Stables has two arenas: a large outdoor arena and a covered arena. In addition, the site backs up to the extensive trail network of East Bay Regional Parks and offers prime access to the trail network. Lessons will be taught in diverse riding disciplines including: English, Western, Dressage, Hunter/Jumper and more. Trail riding programs may also be a feature.

A reduced fee structure for lessons will be offered for low income Oakland residents who qualify and reasonable regular rates ensure that anyone with an interest in learning to ride may do so at Oakland City Stables (space permitting). Certain programs will be offered free of charge in cooperation with organizations that MEPS will partner with. These organizations include inner city youth recreation programs, recreation centers, and other public benefit and charitable organizations.

Sponsorship
Sponsorhip is a great way to have regular access to riding a horse without having the responsibility of horse ownership. Sponsorship means that riders are matched with a suitable mount, and for a low monthly fee, may enjoy riding the horse for a certain number of days per week. Depending on skill level, riders may be required to take lessons. Rates may vary.

Public Boarding
The MEPS plan for City Stables will make a certain percentage of stalls and corrals available to members of the public wishing to board their horses. A high priority for acceptance to board at City Stables will be given to those individuals whose horses are made available and are suitable for use in public programs such as: sponsorship, riding lessons, trail riding or other.

 

Youth Programs and Special Programs
(run by qualified, experienced non-profit
corporations)

Featured Program—Oakland Range Riders
The Oakland Range Riders is an intervention program for inner city youth and first time juvenile offenders of non-violent crimes. The primary focus of the program will be youth who live within the Oakland city limits. Through the care and riding of horses the program seeks to positively impact program participants by:

  • Decreasing aggressive behaviors,
  • Teaching effective non-violent communication
  • Improving relationships with teaching adults,
  • Re-engaging students in learning processes, and
  • Improving self-control.

    "We believe that horses have a lot to teach people, especially youth. While riding skills are often the most visible focus of equine classes, the care of the horses is, in many ways, where the most valuable lessons are learned."

 

Featured Program—Vaulting
Gymnastic vaulting on horseback is a team sport that offers many opportunities for learning, physical training and competition. In vaulting, youth of varying ages and sizes help each other on and off a moving horse. Teamwork is essential and vaulting's benefits include: the estblishment of trust, self confidence, cooperation, leadership, sharing, mentoring and other valuable life skills.

Prior riding, gymnastics, dance or vaulting experience is not required.

 

Featured Program: Therapeutic Riding
Our chosen service provider will operate a horseback riding therapy program for children and adults with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and psychological challenges including mild to profound developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory integrative dysfunction, attention deficit disorder, and speech and language impairment, (partial list.)

Therapeutic riders learn at their own pace, with as much -- or as little -- help as they need. Theuapeutic riding has been shown to help participants by improving: self esteem, independence, receptive and expressive language skills, attention span, behavioral and emotional control, postural alignment, normalization of muscle tone, balance, fine and gross motor coordination to name a few.

 

School Age Enrichment Program — Baywood Learning Center
Utilizing the existing classroom and other areas on the property, Baywood Learning Center will offer enrichment programs during the academic year. This program serves children in Oakland and nearby cities, ages 8 to 14 who have been identified by teachers and/or parents as needing educational enrichment services and/or specialized instruction that cannot be provided in the child’s current educational environment.

 

Sustainable Agriculture—Environmental Science — Organic Gardening Program Provider: Alameda County Master Gardeners
UC Extension will be providing Master Gardeners with teachers, training, volunteers and curriculum for youth and children of all ages to launch this wonderful educational program at City Stables. Emphasis will be on organic gardening, sustainable agriculture, healthy eating habits and community gardening.

"Much education today is monumentally ineffective. All too often we are giving young people cut flowers when we should be teaching them to grow their own plants."
— John W. Gardner (American Writer and Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, 1912-2002)

"Between getting off and on a horse there is a world to be discovered... experienced — it is not so much a matter of one learning to control the horse as it is a matter of achieving his willing cooperation. The horse and rider who move in this way have accomplished much — true harmony."
—Lise Stampfli,
MEPS boardmember