Our horsemanship lessons help you to become a confident, skillful rider, working at your pace, on horses that are chosen for your level of skill. But beyond simply riding, you'll build an understanding of horses-how they think and behave. As you progress, you'll learn care and feeding, common ailments, herd behavior, trailering and transportation, and caring for tack.
Our students start out bareback, and quickly learn to feel the horse's gaits and moods,
to hold on with their thighs, and to become one with the horse. It's harder than it sounds,
and gives excellent results! We've noticed that they progress much faster than those
who only ride in a saddle. This is true for new riders of all ages. Soon, you'll be
loping around the arena bareback, without a bridle or a halter, but still controlling
the horse and keeping your seat!
We take only a few students and give them personalized individual lessons to ensure their experience is as rewarding as possible. (Minimum age for our lessons is 13 years.)
Lessons are flexible, lasting up to 1 hour depending on the student's strength, stamina, and level of interest. Arena time is the first part of this, but as students progress it is emphasized less and less; the rest is riding on the hills and flats of the property, caring for the horse and related "learnings". Eldon is the primary instructor in the arena, and members of our ranch family assist in the arena, stables, and pasture.
