Horse lessons

Horse riding offers numerous benefits for riders of all ages. It provides a physical challenge, helping to develop new muscles and improve coordination. While there may be frustrating days, most days are filled with fun and excitement.

For children, horse riding is particularly enriching, fostering the development of social skills and deep connections with animals. Adults, too, can find advantages in horse riding, such as stress relief and a chance to reconnect with nature.

Our riding lessons cater to individuals of all ages and experience levels, offering something for everyone. Our lessons focus on teaching students essential skills from catching, leading, grooming and tacking their lesson horse to the basics of riding, guided by experienced instructors who prioritize safety and create an environment filled with joy and learning, ensuring an enriching and memorable experience for all participants.

Sign up for lessons

People interested in lessons during summer 2023 should register through our horse riding lessons registration form.

At this time, we are still evaluating whether or not we will be offering horse riding lessons during the school year to non-co-op members. While we understand that there may be a demand for riding lessons during this time, there are a number of factors that we need to consider, such as the availability of our instructors and the capacity of our facilities.

Additionally, we want to ensure that our co-op members continue to receive the high-quality instruction and attention they deserve. We are actively exploring all of our options and hope to have a clearer picture of our plans soon. In the meantime, we encourage interested parties to check back with us for updates and to consider participating in our summer horse riding program.

Weekly lessons run from June 1-July 31, and you can sign up for up to eight lessons. Scheduling for our horse riding program is designed to be as flexible and accommodating as possible. When participants fill out the registration form, they will have the opportunity to mark their availability for lessons.

We understand that people have busy schedules and we will do our best to match them with a lesson time that works for them. Once we receive the registration form, we will use the information provided to place participants into a lesson group that matches their level of experience and availability.

Our instructors are experienced and knowledgable in working with riders of all levels, so whether someone is a beginner or an experienced rider, they can be assured that they will be placed into a lesson that is appropriate for their skill level.

To ensure your safety and comfort during our horse riding program, please come prepared with the following equipment:

  • Long pants
  • Boots with a flat sole and small heel
  • No baggy clothing, shorts or dangling jewelry
  • A helmet (a selection will be provided or you may purchase your own)
  • Some riding boots are available to borrow in select sizes

Additionally, please wear clothes and shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. By following these guidelines, you can help to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience while riding horses with us.

Payment for our summer horse riding program is designed to be simple and flexible. Each lesson costs $60, but you can save $10 per lesson when you register more than one rider. If you register for all eight weeks of the program, you can save a total of $30. We ask that payment for the entire summer be made prior to the first lesson. To ensure the smooth operation of our program, we have developed a cancellation policy that requires 24-hour notice to reschedule a lesson.

If you fail to notify us before this time, you will forfeit your lesson fee and the lesson will not be rescheduled. If we need to cancel a lesson due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will notify you as soon as possible and reschedule your lesson at a time convenient for you.

In case of medical emergency or unforeseen circumstances beyond your control, we will make every effort to accommodate your rescheduling needs. We value your time and money and encourage you to arrive on time for your lessons and give us sufficient notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Lesson placement

Please register for the course most appropriate to your experience and ability level. Discuss course selection as needed by contacting [email protected] or the lesson coordinator directly. The following table outlines what you can expect from your riding lesson course according to your experience. 

If you… you should register for… and can expect to… 
have never ridden or have done a few guided trail rides or pony rides AWPE 171 Riding Lessons I: Beginner learn to catch, groom and tack up a horse safely; mount and dismount; move, stop, and steer while mounted; begin the posting trot. 
can catch, groom, and tack up a horse safely with some assistance; know how to mount and dismount; know how to stop, go, and steer reliably at the walk AWPE 172 
Riding Lessons Ii: Advanced Beginner 
develop proficiency in horse care; develop balance in the posting trot; improve accuracy in changing speed and direction. 
are confident in preparing a horse to be ridden and well-balanced at the posting trot AWPE 173 
Riding Lessons III: Intermediate 
perfect the two-point trot; begin and develop cantering. 
are confident and well-balanced at all gaits AWPE 174 
Riding Lessons IV: Beginning Jumping 
develop finesse in all gaits; begin to develop finesse in all gaits and begin to learn safe jumping techniques. 
are confident and well-balanced at all gaits, and have some experience jumping AWPE 175 
Riding Lessons V: Advanced Jumping 
develop finesse in all gaits and continue to develop safe jumping techniques. 

More information and resources

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EARLHAM ALERT:
We continue to monitor the effects of an industrial fire 1.1 miles from campus.
EARLHAM ALERT:
We continue to monitor the effects of an industrial fire 1.1 miles from campus.