Riding Lessons
My goal is to teach you to ride so that one day you can confidently handle your own horse by
yourself. Over the years I have discarded what does not lead to this goal. I want only the most
expedient and painless methods. I teach my students riding the way I wish someone would have
taught me. I have had good success with both children and adults.
I am a licensed massage therapist and I will use my hands to help you to a better position.
Riding a horse is lots of fun and is quite simple, but it is not easy.
DANDY
My “school” horse is Dandy. He is a very fine Morgan horse, beautiful and bred to be an English
pleasure horse. He enjoys teaching students. To have this horse to learn riding is a gift beyond measure.
However, you will not have this realization until you have mastered your lessons with him.
SAFETY
Horses can be dangerous; there is no doubt about that. However, every precaution is taken to insure your
safety. Other horses and animals are removed from the area during your lesson time. The horse is
groomed, checked over, and is ready to begin when you arrive. All preparations are completed at least ten
minutes before the appointment is scheduled.
I have had many students who have had one or more bad experiences with horses as well as some who are
just plain terrified of horses. After a few times around on Dandy they all relax. I make it as safe as
possible and still involve a horse.
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What you will learn:
- The fact that a horse is a prey animal and how that affects their behavior;
- What you need to be successful as a horseperson;
- The relative acuteness of the five senses in the horse as compared with those of humans;
- How the horse sees while moving forward;
- The best way to control the horse and why;
- How to turn the horse without pulling on the reins;
- How to use your legs and seat to communicate;
- How to breathe properly while riding.
In addition you will be given homework involving quick, easy exercises you can do to help you learn
these new skills more quickly.
All lessons are private and by appointment only. Group lessons only teach you bad habits which will
have to be unlearned if you want to advance. In almost 30 years of watching instructors of every
description work, I have known only two who could help more than one rider at a time.
“More than any other art, the equestrian art is linked to the wisdom of life. Many of
its principles can serve as rules for human conduct.”Podhajsky
NOVICE
No or minimal experience is necessary to start novice lessons. Sold as a package, the first four
lessons are the basis of your riding foundation and are fun, fun, fun, but very important.
Many students ask to repeat them after they gain some skill. If you complete the
first four lessons in five weeks, the fifth lesson is free.
To start lessons, you need only long pants and closed shoes. The first lessons are bareback with me
leading the horse and staying with you at all times. I will provide a helmet. Once you begin using
a saddle you will need to wear boots and will require your own helmet.
The cost is $165.
SOME EXPERIENCE
If you have some experience riding, you will not need to start at the beginning, but I will need to
verify your proficiency. I have had people come from all over the world and many of the 48 states.
Some are just here on vacation and need a horse fix. Some have stayed a while and we had a lot of fun.
If you have your own horse but…. Maybe I can help. Please contact me to discuss the options.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Horse wise lessons are available to learn how to handle a horse on the ground. All lessons are given
on the ground. You will learn how to safely catch and lead a horse, take it through a gate and close
the gate behind you without letting the other horses get out. I will teach you how to groom a horse and
clean his feet, etc.
The cost is $30 per half hour and $50 per hour.
Pasture tours are available for the “I want to pet a Horse” individual. First, horses are not dogs .
My horses are close but they are still not dogs. No one under 50 inches is allowed in this activity.
We will walk out and see what happens. The horses might come and surround us or they might walk away.
They might bolt and run, either away or over you.
The cost for a tour is $20 per person.
Introduction to Horses might be a better alternative. Gather up all your horse questions and make
an appointment. I will go catch a horse and bring it to you. You will be in a safe area with no other
horses around. I will present a little talk and you can ask your questions. Then you can pet the
horse while I hold it. When we are done, you can feed the other horses through the fence if you bring
apples and carrots with you for this purpose.
The cost for this is $15 per person.
And last, for a special occasion or for a gift to a horse crazy child who will never have lessons,
I offer a half hour horse fix for $35.
DRIVING LESSONS
Carriage driving is the fastest growing equestrian sport world wide. I have been driving since 1984.
Your lessons will start with you walking behind the horse holding the long reins, and progressing to
a travois. When you are competent at this, you will advance to sitting in a jog cart.
The cost for these lessons is $50 per hour, and all equipment for driving is provided.
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