Riding Lessons
As you begin your journey into the wide world of horses, be sure to keep an open mind to all the opportunities that are in store for you! Horseback riding lessons at BPH are more than just a short instruction in the "how-to's" of horsemanship, but more like a complete emersion to equine utopia!
Beginner lessons are always started bareback.
This is an integral part of our program, as this allows each student to find the center of the horse, and make a connection. The horses used for these lessons are trained specifically for this job and are selected based on their personalities (quiet and willing) and confirmation (it is imperative that bareback horses are wide, and generally big boned). As a rider, we will encourage you find your own, independent, balance to encourage the maximum confidence in your balance.
After 3-5 lessons, we like to move our students to an english saddle. We focus on connecting your bareback lessons, to your english riding experience. English saddles have less leather and bulk, allowing the student to feel for the horses center of balance. By the time the student is ready to use their stirrups, we request that you have boots (no tennis shoes, sneakers, hiking boots, or hybrid boots may be used).
Next between 6-10 lessons, we will introduce you to the western saddle. Once you are in the western saddle you will be able to experience several new opportunities!
At this point in your journey, you will most likely know what discipline sparks your interest and we will begin to focus on 1 area. We offer expert riding instruction in the following disciplines:
- Western
- Horsemanship
- Hunter Seat Equitation (flat only)
- Hunter (up to hunter hack)
- Saddle Seat Equitation
- English and Country Pleasure
- Showhack
- Native Costume
- Reining
- Trail
- Walk trot
- Leadline
Our private lessons are scheduled in 30 minute increments. If you schedule a 10:00AM riding lesson, you will arrive at 9:30AM and meet with someone to assist you with paperwork and help you get your horse ready. At your scheduled riding time, you will ride for approximately 30 minutes, with your instructor. At the conclusion of your riding lesson, you will return to the barn for an additional 30 minutes of grooming and untacking.
Out of respect for our other scheduled clients, please be advised that if you are late for your riding lesson, we will do our best to get you to the riding portion of your lesson on time, however, we are unable to go over your 30 minutes of scheduled time.
Lessons are available for youth riders as young as 3 years old and adults of all ages.
