~A place to experience the joy of horses & ponies!~
Welcome from Makendra Burns
Tsaheylu farm is a place to reconnect to nature, animals, and yourself. Whether you are rekindling the joy of horses as an adult or discovering it as a child. Makendra is incredibly experienced and teaches all the lessons, has competed successfully at the top level of 3 day Eventing, has been teaching riding for over 30yrs, and is the mother to 5 children. Your children and your inner child are welcome here to learn as much as you desire about really becoming a knowledgeable horsemen and an excellent rider.
Starting January 3rd 2026
?? A Very Merry Christmas Gift for the Little Horse Lover in Your Life!??
✨ Taz Pony Classes ~Session 1~
January 3, 2026 – March 19, 2026
? Tsaheylu Farm ✨ Philomont VA
Give your child a truly unforgettable experience—real ponies, meaningful learning, and pure joy. Taz Pony Classes are thoughtfully designed for children 18 months to 5 years old, offering a gentle, confidence-building introduction to horses in a safe, nurturing farm environment.
Classes are taught by Makendra, a lifelong horsewoman and mother who has taught her own five children—and countless others—how to safely handle, care for, and ride horses with confidence and kindness.
Each one-hour class includes a combination of:
? Hands-on pony care
? Brushing, leading, saddling & bridling
? Pony rides
? Fun, age-appropriate equine learning activities
Children will work closely with Taz (pictured below), our beloved miniature horse. Her calm temperament and perfect size make her an ideal first pony for young riders.
? Course Details
• Each session includes 11 hands-on classes for a package price of $550
• Four sessions are offered throughout the year to complete the full Taz Pony Course Curriculum
• Classes focus on horsemanship, confidence, and connection, and while not formal riding lessons, they do include some riding, and prepare children beautifully for future riding instruction
? Class Times
• Saturdays – 10:00 AM
• Wednesdays – 2:15 PM
• Thursdays – 2:15 PM
? Spots are limited to 4 children per class
Give a gift that builds confidence, responsibility, and a lifelong love of horses. Please reach out with any questions or to reserve your child’s spot—we can’t wait to welcome your family to the
farm!
Horseback Riding Lessons
Lessons are offered to riders of any age in english riding, western, jumping, dressage, natural horsemanship, groundwork, & lessons on the trail; all of which will enhance your overall horsemanship.
INTRO LESSON
- ages 7+ (1hr private intro) includes, catching, grooming, tacking up, riding, untacking and cleanup - $120
-ages 1-6 (30 min private intro) $80
Lessons are taught on Tsaheylu Farm ponies & horses or on your own horse. Trailer-ins are welcome!
LESSON PACKAGES
(2 month commitment with a weekly lesson time)
30min private or 1hr group lesson
$300/m
Single lesson prices:
-fit into schedule one lesson at a time
30min private- $90
45min private- $120
1hr private- $150
1hr group- $100 per rider
~(must be able to walk, trot, stop, & steer before joining a group)
Group Trail Ride or Lesson on your own horse- $75
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR SINGLE PURCHASE LESSONS:
-Please cancel with 24hrs notice to cancel or reschedule your lesson (1 reschedule per subscription lesson per month)
-Cancellations made within 24 hrs notice will incur a fee of 100% of the lesson cost.
-No-Shows will be charged a full lesson fee.
-There will be no fee for cancellations, due to very bad weather that is unsuitable for riding.
I understand that emergencies can happen. Please contact me as soon as possible to discuss potential exceptions to this policy.
As this pertains to my business continuity; I appreciate your understanding.
Payment Method
Packages: credit card
Single Purchase Lessons: Cash, Check, Credit Card
trail ride lesson
We are within driving distance of Aldie, Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, Middleburg, Haymarket, Marshall, Bluemont, Hillsboro, Harpers Ferry, and Chantilly.
&
we have clients from Bethesda, Arlington, DC, Alexandria, & Reston too
Contact Me
Makendra Burns
Tsaheylu Farm
36688 Philomont rd
Purcellville, VA
Tsaheylufarm@gmail.com
&
check us out on Facebook!
HOURS:
Sunday- no lessons
Monday- no lessons
Tuesday- open
Wednesday- open
Thursday-open
Friday-open
Saturday- open
`What's New?
7/2024- Grove Point Adult horse camp 2024- the sunflowers are always so joyful! Finn & Nugget camped out, trail rode, and swam in the bay. Meals were catered and we participated in many fun off horse activites too. The horses seemed to enjoy the adventure of as much as we did.
July 2023- Adult Riding Camp at Grove Point Stables in MD.
~Sunflowers, trails, riding in the bay, yummy food, ax- throwing, and horsemanship were part of the fun for Makendra with her horse Nugget and Angela (a Tsaheylu boarder) with her horse Langley. After lots of preparation to get our horses fit, and logistics to get there, we ended up having a wonderful time!
Jan 7 2023
6 Horse & Riders completed at the Loch Moy Rock n Roll XC Derby. So Much Fun and ribbons to boot!
1-25-2020
After welcoming my son's arrival in November, lessons are starting back up as the weather has been wonderfully warm. The footing in the ring has been perfect. As you can see you're never too young ( or too old) to start riding!
8-1-2019
Tsaheylu Farm moved from Marshall to a lovely horse farm in Philomont August 2019. The entire operation is run by Makendra and the emphasis is on teaching. Lessons are taught on either Makendra’s personally trained horses, or your own. There is limited boarding for student’s horses. The farm boasts a large outdoor ring, access to trails, 13+ acres of pasture, airy aisle way & stalls, 2 wash stalls with warm water, an organized heated tack room, and heated office, picnic tables with shade cover, and most importantly a wonderful, supportive community. The Philomont General Store is a 30sec drive or 2min walk down a gravel road, along with the Philomont Playground & Community Center. Easy access from rt7, rt50, or rt267 (the toll rd).
1-20-2018- Roo competed in his first real show, 2'6 Green Hunters at Frying Pan Park. He earned a 4th & 6th but truly it was about dealing with the atmosphere and get his show legs. He's pointed to the jumpers, but starting in the quieter hunters. Plus he's quite a stunning show hunter.
Jan 6 2016- Ribbons and Lace is tied for 1st place nationally in the 2015 RPSI filly inspections. Here she is in the most recent Warmbloods Today issue. So excited about this filly's future!!
Oct 6 2015- Rubichez won the 2015 USEA FEH inagural Free Jump Championship. He impressed the judges with his smoooth, powerful canter and breezed over the jumps. This is his photo in Eventing Magazine
August 15 2015- Lacey's newest filly Ribbons & Lace (aka Roxette) was amazing at her RPSI inspection, winning Site Champion Foal and Gold Premium with a score of 8.6! Lacey has a huge trot but Roxette was passing her in trot that just floated across the ground. Plus Roxette is sweet, kind, and has a wonderful sense to her. Love this girl!
May 16 2015 Lacey had her baby and it's a girl! Beautiful markings, this girl is vibrant and well put together. I wouldn't change a thing about her. Labor went great, although Lacey tried to sneak out to pasture to have her baby and I caught her just before her water broke. We will name her soon.<
Nov 5 2014
Faith and Juliet both got 6th place over all at the Redgate Farm Horse Show Year End Awards banquet. It was a wonderful time and the girls felt very proud. Plus they got a great goodie bag and a big ribbon!
Nov 2 2014
Rubichez competed at the USEA FEH East Coast Championships. He placed 4th in the 2yr old Colt division and was very well behaved. I will most likely be heading him towards the jumper or dressage ring in the future but the FEH program is wonderful to get the young ones out and used to the show atmosphere.
June 7 2014
Upperville Horse Show- Leadline
Twinkles took both Juliet and Faith to Upperville leadline this June. Both girls got a coveted rainbow ribbon and had a blast. On to walk/trot classes for Faith.
April 25 2014
Juliet and Faith Burns rode in the Lead Line division at the Philomont Horse Show. Faith placed 2nd, and at Juliet's first show she placed second and third, but the lollipop was the most appreciated prize! Twinkles was a star too!
April 24 2014
Freestyle x Nabiola Filly is Here!
Nabiola had a black filly by Freestyle at 1:40AM Friday morning! She has two hind socks, a large star, and a super sweet disposition. The labor went smoothly and Nabiola is a wonderful, attentive mother. The filly loves racing back and forth in her pasture, until she plops down for a rest with her mama standing guard. The other broodmares, who will have foals next spring, look jealous:)
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