What to expect from Your Lessons

Step 1: Start Comfortable

Your instructor will introduce you to the horse you will be riding; help you brush and bond with your horse; teach you some basics of horses, horse care, and how to prepare a horse for your ride. None of this will be rushed. Once your horse is ready, your instructor will lead you to our private arena to begin your lesson.

Step 2: Build Confidence

Your instructor will help you mount your horse and begin to teach you the basics of mounted horsemanship. You will learn to steer; to stop and go; correct positioning of body, legs, and hands and overall confidence on an animal that is much larger than any human.

Step 3: Find Balance

You will begin to be able to trot, steer around cones and barrels, and sit correctly without constant reminders. This is where everything you've been working on will begin to click and you may begin to find your rhythm and what you enjoy.

Step 4: On To The Races

Once you can trot independently, lessons become more about your personal goals. You may get to work over small jumps; around obstacle courses set up with poles, barrels, and cones; or you may begin to learn to lope or canter. At this point, you should feel comfortable at both a walk and a trot and be able to steer the horse confidently and comfortably at both speeds.

What to Expect From Your First Lesson

For young or first-time riders, the first lesson focuses on comfort and confidence. Riders learn how to safely approach, groom, and lead the horse before mounting. We move at each child’s pace and prioritize positive early experiences. Do not expect to be spending the full hour on the horse the first day. Instead, expect to get a feel for the property and our horses. Starting slow now sets the stage for consistency and success later on.

Reminder

Please keep in mind that different students progress at different levels. One rider may be loping after a month of lessons and another may still be working on their turns at a walk. Just because you are not progressing as quickly as you hoped does not mean you are behind. Please keep your confidence up and ride like the amazing rider you are!