Beginner riders, age 6 and up, learn both basic horsemanship and riding skills on safe and reliable riding school horses. Students will learn how to be safe around horses, properly brush a horse, tack a horse and feed treats while being fully supervised by their teacher or assistant at all times. They will learn how to ride with basic riding positioning under the watchful eye of their instructor who is fully devoted to their lesson and their safety at all times while in the ring together.
Our Beginner Riding School starts with individual one-on-one hour-long sessions for $60. These early lessons include the time it takes to properly groom and tack a horse/pony. Once a student shows proficiency in grooming and tacking (or with the help of a parent), our students are cleared by their instructor to come prior to the lesson time to groom and tack BEFORE the lesson begins so they get more saddle time as part of their lessons.
When a student shows basic proficiency in steering at walk and trot, they become eligible for package lessons at a discount which may take place with one or two other students in the same lesson. Rates are as follows:
5-Pack: $275 (must be used within 6 weeks)
10-Pack: $500 (must be used within 12 weeks)
WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR FIRST FEW LESSONS
Lesson 1 – Welcome and introduction to the barn. Safety talk and helmet review. Students spend the first half of the class on the ground learning how to work safely around horses and how to brush and care for them. The second half of class is spent riding and learning proper body position and basic cues such as walk, halt, and turning.
Lesson 2 – The riding portions expands on what was learned in week one with a review of proper equitation, followed by the introduction of the posting/half-seat position, steering/guiding a horse, and proper dismount.
Lesson 3 – Students, if able and comfortable, will trot and continue to build off the lessons from the previous two weeks. If necessary, for trotting the horse will be on a lead line guided by the instructor. If necessary, a lesson helper will guide the lead line so the instructor can jog alongside the rider for safety.
Lesson 4 and 5 – Relying on the knowledge learned from the last few weeks of lessons, students will begin to put it all together and if they are ready, they will work on trotting on their own, off the lead line, steering their horse around the ring at a trot. They will begin to work on their posting technique while trotting and their transitions from walk to trot to halt.
the fine print
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR BEGINNER RIDERS AND SPECTATORS
We strive to create a safe and friendly barn for all our riders and spectators. Please remember to be kind and respectful to each other at all times and follow these guidelines while on property.
Please bring a filled out liability form with you to the first class. These forms are available by clicking here: LIABILITY FORM. We will have blank copies here, but would prefer to have them filled out in advance. If you have two children signed up, you may put both of their names on one form. If you have taken the class already this year and have a liability form from the current year on file with us you do not need to fill out a new one unless your information has changed.
Riders MUST wear closed-toed shoes with a small heel. Acceptable options for beginner riders that work best include rain boots or hiking boots. For novice and advanced riders, riding boots are required. Please do not wear anything with a zipper on the inside of the leg for the comfort of our horses.
Riders must wear pants that completely cover their legs. NO capris, shorts, skirts, dresses (even with shorts underneath!). Riders are also not allowed to wear tank tops for safety reasons. Sleeveless collared shirts are acceptable.
Anyone on property that is not riding MUST wear closed-toed shoes that cover the entire foot for safety reasons. Parents or guardians included. Please NO Crocs or sandals.
Parents must stay with their child at all times. This is for their safety and the safety of our horses.
Outside dogs are NOT allowed off leash on the property. If they must come with you, they need to stay on leash at all times. Please keep dogs out of the barn if the horses are in the aisles.
Please do not pet or feed other horses aside from the one you are using in your lesson. Please do not stick your hands into horses’ stalls. Some of them do bite!
Indoor voices everywhere you go.
Walking feet only! No running, jumping, skipping.
You can pet the barn cats as they are very friendly. If they walk away, please leave them alone! Same goes for our barn pig, Bubbles. Please do not let your child chase any of the barn animals!
Please do not wander around the property or the rest of the barn before or after class.
If you would like to bring treats for to feed the horse you are riding in your lesson, you may. Treats may only be fed if your instructor is with you for safety reasons. Good options for treats are cut up carrots or baby carrots, apples cut into slices, peppermints, candy canes, or sugar cubes.
Weather permitting, lessons will be held outside. In colder weather or in the event of rain, we will be riding indoors. Please make sure as a rider you are dressed for the weather. Layers that zip on or off rather than get pulled over the head are best. You may also wear warmer gloves if it’s cold enough; thin, stretchy gloves rather than thick mittens or snow gloves are better (you need to be able to move and close their fingers!)
Please contact us if you have any additional questions or concerns .
