Equestrian Experience

Horse Experience 
We create a safe and welcoming environment where people and horses can connect, communicate, and build confidence together. Your journey begins with learning to understand and connect with horses. As your confidence and horsemanship skills grow, lessons naturally progress toward riding.

Our goal goes beyond teaching horsemanship. We hope each experience inspires confidence, connection, and a deeper appreciation for yourself and these incredible animals. With every horse bringing their own unique personality, we create meaningful experiences and lifelong memories to cherish and share with our horse, Andre. Andre is a champion rodeo and cattle horse from Montana who has a heart that is more beautiful and special than he is. As a senior horse, he offers a gentle nature, confidence building, and kindness. Click here for rates.

What to Expect in a Beginner Lesson
A first horse lesson is a gentle, structured introduction focusing on safety, grooming, and basic control. Expect to spend time meeting a calm lesson horse, learning to lead and steer at a walk in an enclosed arena, and wearing required safety gear like a certified helmet and boots with a small heel.

• Arrival: Meet your trainer, and review basic barn safety rules.
  

• Horse Basics: Review the horse introduction packet to learn about horse anatomy and history.
  
• Groundwork: Learn how to approach, halter, lead, and groom a well-schooled horse.
  

• Tacking Up: Watch or help place the saddle pad, saddle, and bridle onto the horse.

• Mounting: Use a mounting block to step up into the saddle with your instructor stabilizing the horse.

• Basic Riding: Practice sitting posture (heels down, eyes up), walking forward, steering with gentle rein cues, and halting. 

Tips for a Great First Time

• Clothing: Wear long, flexible pants and closed-toe boots with a small heel.
  

• Watch and Listen: Listen closely to your instructor and move calmly around the animal.
  

• Basics: First horseback riding lessons focus on orientation, safety, and basic groundwork before mounted exercises. Groundwork builds confidence and teaches horse handling skills like grooming, leading, and tacking up
  
• Preparation: Essential preparation includes proper attire, helmet, boots with a heel, gloves, hydration, and light stretching
  
• Beginning Skills: Beginner riding skills cover mounting, balance, rein handling, and walking under instructor supervision
  
• Challenges: Common challenges include nervousness, balance issues, and rein control, all improved with practice and guidance. Be patient with yourself because you might be new. We want to do our best and remain calm as the horse reads your energy.
  

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