Riding Lessons
Rebecca Dennis Balanced Horsemanship can provide lessons for ages 6 and up and all skill levels from beginner to advanced.
We believe that good horsemanship is from the ground up, so our lessons include all aspects of horse care beginning with leading and handling the horse, grooming, saddling and more! Ground work helps build a relationship with the horse that will carry over into the work under saddle, but moreover creates confidence and independence in the student that will apply to life away from horses as well!
Beginner
Lessons for beginner students age 6 to 10 run an hour and include approximately 30 minutes of riding time.
Beginners will be supervised and instructed in leading, tying, grooming, saddling and more. While initially they will help get the horse ready, eventually the instructor will be the one helping them get ready!
Beginners will learn basic riding techniques like walk, trot, stop, turning, and riding basic figures at the walk and trot.
The primary goal of beginner lessons is for riders to gain a level of comfort on horseback. We’ll also discuss and explain basic position and balance.
Intermediate
Lessons for intermediate riders and older beginners who can safely and effectively lead, groom, and saddle their horses are about 40 minutes of riding time and may include an hour to hour and a half of total horse handling.
Intermediate riders will gain additional knowledge in use of the seat, legs, hands, and voice to communicate with the horse.
We’ll go more in-depth on correct riding position.
We’ll begin to work at the lope or canter.
Advanced
Advanced/adult lessons are approximately one hour long, and riders are expected to be on their horses and warmed up by the lesson start time.
Advanced instruction covers wide territory and too many skills to list! However all work will include refining position and use of aids at the walk, jog/trot, and lope/canter, with the goal of creating a seamless partnership between you and your horse. We’ll work at feeling subtle changes in the position and balance of your horse and riding more intuitively rather than mechanically.
Advanced lessons are generally private for focused one-on-one attention and customized goals.
What you need
Long pants. Jeans or leggings/breeches preferred, but please, no embellished jeans! The bling pockets are rough on saddle leather (and your own seat!)
Boots with a heel. Riders need heels for safety in the saddle. All visitors to the stable should wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and must wear appropriate footwear if they will in any way be near or handling the horses.
Riders under 18 years of age must wear a riding helmet. We do have helmets available for use for all ages, but you’re encouraged to have and use your own. Bike helmets are not suitable for riding horses, but Fleet Farm and Tractor Supply Company are good places to get a riding helmet locally.
Please Contact Us for pricing and to schedule!
