How to Prepare for your Lesson, and What to Expect

We want every rider to feel comfortable, safe, and confident during their time at the barn. Below is an overview of what a typical riding lesson looks like and how to prepare so your rider gets the most out of their experience.

Sailor and one of our lesson pony's- Little Bit

Lesson Length Options

We offer two lesson lengths depending on the rider’s age and experience:

1-Hour LessonsBest suited for most riders.

30-Minute LessonsRecommended for riders 5 years old and under, or for riders who benefit from shorter, more focused sessions.

What Riders Should Wear

For safety and comfort, riders should come dressed appropriately.

Required items:

• Riding helmet(Riders may bring their own, or we can provide one.)

• Long pants

• Boots with a heelAcceptable options include:

  • Cowboy boots

  • Paddock boots

  • Rain boots

These types of boots help keep the rider’s foot safely positioned in the stirrup.

What Happens During a 1-Hour Lesson

Grooming & Tacking (First 10 Minutes)

Lessons begin with getting the horse ready. During this time riders will learn:

• Basic horse safety

• How to check a horse for injuries

• Proper grooming techniques

• How to safely tack up a horse

This portion usually takes about 10 minutes.

If a rider has their own horse or has demonstrated they can safely catch and tack their horse independently, they may prepare their horse before the lesson begins. This must first be approved by the instructor.

Riding Time (About 40 Minutes)

The riding portion of the lesson is tailored to the rider’s skill level and goals.

Lessons may include:

• Balance and position

• Steering and control

• Patterns and exercises

• Horsemanship skills

• Discipline-specific training (such as rodeo events or general riding)

Untacking & Horse Care (Final 10 Minutes)

At the end of the lesson, riders will learn how to:

• Properly untack the horse

• Care for and cool down the horse

• Clean and store tack and equipment

This part of the lesson helps riders develop responsibility and understand proper horse care.

What Happens During a 30-Minute Lesson

Thirty-minute lessons are structured in one of two ways depending on the rider’s needs:

Option 1: Full Riding LessonThe horse will already be tacked and ready, allowing for a full 30 minutes of riding time.

Option 2: Mini Horsemanship LessonRiders will learn a short grooming and tacking lesson before riding for the remaining time.

Our Goal

Our lessons are designed to help riders develop confidence, safety awareness, and strong horsemanship skills, both in and out of the saddle.