What to Expect for Your First Lesson:

 

Beginners:

  The focus of a first time student's first lesson will be safety. You will learn barn rules and what to do and not to do around horses. Beginners will be taught proper care and handling, such as grooming, leading, and saddling. Please do not show up for your first lesson expecting to simply hop on a horse and ride off into the sunset. If time allows we will do a short pony ride in the pasture area just out from the barn. We will continue to build on these fundamentals with each new lesson. After your second lesson (depending upon age) you will be expected to catch, groom, and saddle your assigned horse with light supervision and assistance. All students are required to have proper footwear (boots with heels) for their first lesson. If you have any questions or concerns about attire, expectations, etc please feel free to contact the barn prior to your first lesson.

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Advanced Beginners:

  Assuming you have had previous lessons and know barn safety, we will quickly review what you know and how you have been taught. You can expect to be supervised while grooming and tacking for your first lesson. This may only be necessary to help you learn where things are and to correct any gaps in your learning. If you have ridden before you can expect to ride during your first lesson. Please come prepared and dress accordingly. Proper footwear (boots with heels) and a helmet are required. All lessons are an hour and a half in length. This will include time for grooming, saddling, and time after your lesson to cool out and put your horse away according to After Hour's policies. Please arrive at your scheduled time unless previously discussed and approved by the instructor.

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Intermediate & Advanced:

  Your first lesson will be an evaluation as well as a learning experience. This is more of a "get to know you" lesson. You can expect to be very lightly supervised while grooming and tacking. This is mostly to help you learn where things are in the barn. Once mounted we will begin to assess what you know and where you want to take your riding. All lessons are an hour and a half in length, which includes time for grooming, saddling, and time after your lesson to cool out and put your horse away according to After Hour's policies. Please arrive at your scheduled time unless previously discussed and approved by the instructor.