Halcyon Pastures
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Horseback Riding Lessons


Lesson Philosophies
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1) Striving to create safety conscious and effective equestrians with strong leadership and communication skills.
2) Treating each equestrian as an individual by tailoring to their program to their unique needs, goals, and desires. 
3) Starting from the humble beginning of basics regardless of age, discipline, or experience level.
4) Emphasizing horsemanship skills built off a foundation of respect, kindness, love, and understanding of the animal both in and out of the saddle.
5) Building the next generation of compassionate equestrians that never hesitate to put the animal first.

     Each rider's journey is started by forming a strong foundation based off of body mechanics and horsemanship prior to selecting a discipline. This creates safer, effective, confident, and quiet riders which translates into better communication with their equine partners. As a rider progresses, the basics are regularly checked using tools such as dressage tests, no stirrup work, discipline changes, or switching equines. 

     We also welcome students that wish to remain completely unmounted into our program by offering horsemanship lessons. T
hese comprehensive lessons focus on essential skills such as safe handling, lunging, ground driving, bathing, tack selection/maintenance, and other stable management topics.

     Regardless of each student's skill level or discipline, horsemanship skills are the heart of our program. Good horsemanship means an equestrian is able to control the equine by doing as little as possible but as much as necessary to achieve maximum effectiveness with minimum effort. We seek to build a reliable and trusting relationship based off correct feel and timing. This is achieved by understanding the animal's natural instincts and their distinct methods of communicating. 

     Riding is the smallest piece of the equation as equine's operate based on how we make them feel. Forming a relationship with the equine on the ground directly translates to skills under saddle by enhancing our ability to problem solve as a team. Groundwork establishes boundaries and avenues of communication so we learn how to bring out the best in each equine. Many equestrians are great riders but not great horseman and horsewoman. Our program builds well rounded students that are positive and flexible on the journey of never-ending self-improvement that it takes to become a true equestrian.
We offer the following:
  • Riding Lessons
  • Horsemanship Lessons
  • Intro to Owning a Horse Program
  • ​Half and Full Leases
'Intro' to Riding Lesson
Are you a try it before you buy it kind of person? Are you wanting to see what we are all about? We offer a special introductory riding lesson. It is an hour long slot but ride time is about 30 minutes. Included in this time is a walk through of how to correctly retrieve, brush, tack, ride, untack, brush, and turn the horse out. This is a one time per person option.
$40
***Series of 3 'Intro' to Riding Lessons***
Current promotion of 3 private introductory riding lessons consisting of an hour long slot with about 30 minutes of  ride time. Included in this time is a walk through of how to correctly retrieve, brush, tack, ride, untack, brush, and turn the horse out. This is a one time per person option.
$115
One Hour Private Riding Lessons
Lessons consist of 60 minutes of ride time but student must be capable of retrieving, grooming, tacking up, untacking, and turning the horse out correctly independently. If the student isn't capable of correctly retrieving, grooming, tacking up, untacking, and turning the horse out independently yet, lessons will consist of about 30 minutes of ride time.
$45
One Hour Semi-Private Riding Lessons
These lessons are perfect for two riders at the same riding and horsemanship level looking to share their session. They are only available for intermediate to advanced students that are capable of effectively steering with an independent seat at the walk, trot, and canter. Each lesson consists of 60 minutes of ride time but the students must be capable of correctly retrieving, grooming, tacking up, untacking, and turning the horse out unassisted.
$35
One Hour Group Riding Lessons
These lessons are perfect for three riders at the same riding and horsemanship level looking to share their session. They are only available for intermediate to advanced students that are capable of effectively steering with an independent seat at the walk, trot, and canter. Each lesson consists of 60 minutes of ride time but the students must be capable of correctly retrieving, grooming, tacking up, untacking, and turning the horse out unassisted.
$30
Horsemanship Lessons
Since there is much more to horses than riding, these lessons focus on essential skills such as safe handling, lunging, ground driving, bathing, tack selection/maintenance, and other stable management topics. These lessons are a 60 minute hands on sessions. Students are required to arrive with long pants, boots, and a helmet for these lessons as well.
$35
Intro to Owning a Horse Program
This program is for intermediate to advanced riders ready for a glimpse at horse ownership. By half or full leasing one of our faithful lesson horses, the student is involved in every aspect of the horse's life such as health checks, nutrition, and farrier/veterinary care. This provides not only a feasibility study for owning a horse but also an in depth review of essential horsemanship skills.
$TBD
All lessons are sold as a monthly package billed on the first of the month. Our lesson program requires a weekly commitment on the same day and time each week. Make up lessons are granted if 24 hours of notice is issued and must be used within 30 days of the cancelation. If less than 24 hours notice to given for a cancelation, the lesson is forfeited. However, we do allow (1) emergency event every 6 months per student.

Considering where to begin or continue riding lessons is an important decision. We're an advocate for facilitating farm tours prior to the first lesson, especially to acclimatize younger students. If you're interested in a farm tour, please reach out via the information on the CONTACT page above.
Meet Our Lesson Horses
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