Pricing for Horse Services

Riding Lesson Levels

(descriptions and requirements)

Ground (Level One)

At this level...

• The student will learn how to properly halter, lead, tie, and groom a horse.
• The student will learn how to lunge a horse on and off a line.
• The student will learn basic safety practices when working around and with horses.
• The student will begin to learn the terminology and information appropriate to the skills being learned in this level.
• Other level appropriate skills may be taught.
• Specific accommodations can be made at the instructor's discretion.
• Instructor will advance the student to the next level when the above stated skills are mastered.

Walk/Trot (Level Two)

At this level...

• The student will learn how to properly mount a horse. The student will learn the basic postures in the saddle, where the legs should be placed, and how to properly hold the reins.
• The student will learn how to get the horse to walk, trot, and stop.
• The student will learn how to ride bareback.
• The student will learn how to turn the horse in any given direction with forward movement. The student will learn how to maneuver around obstacles at the walk and trot.
• The student will learn the half halt, the counter arc, and their uses.
• The student will learn how to back the horse.
• Previously learned skills will be reinforced at this level.
• Basic safety skills will continue to be practiced at this level.
• The student will begin to learn the terminology and information appropriate to the skills being learned in this level.
• Other level appropriate skills may be taught.
• Specific accommodations can be made at the instructor's discretion.
• Instructor will advance the student to the next level when the above stated skills are mastered.

Intermediate (Level Three)

At this level...

• The student will learn how to combine the use of reins and legs to control the movement of the horse.
• The student will learn how to move the horse into a walk, into a trot, into a canter/lope, and back into a walk or halt. The student will learn how to maneuver around obstacles and perform patterns at the walk, trot, and canter/lope.
• The student will learn to manipulate independent parts of the horse's body.
• The student will begin to learn how to use clippers on a horse, and how to bathe a horse.
• The student may begin short trail rides with the instructor and learning trail-riding skills at the instructor's discretion.
• Previously learned skills will be reinforced at this level.
• Basic safety skills will continue to be practiced at this level.
• Students will begin to learn the terminology and information appropriate to the skills being learned in this level.
• Other level appropriate skills may be taught.
• Specific accommodations can be made at the instructor's discretion.
• Instructor will advance students to the next level when the above stated skills are mastered.

Advanced (Level Four)

At this level...

• The student will learn to hand gallop a horse.
• The student will be introduced to different disciplines to determine his/her preference.
• The student will take part in longer trail rides.
• The student will learn how to load a horse in a horse trailer, and about hauling safety.
• Previously learned skills will be reinforced at this level.
• Basic safety skills will continue to be practiced at this level.
• Students will begin to learn the terminology and information appropriate to the skills being learned in this level.
• Other level appropriate skills may be taught.
• Specific accommodations can be made at the instructor's discretion.
• When the student has mastered the skills in the advanced level, it is recommended that the student join a 4-H club, pony club, or other horse club. If the student wants lessons in a specific discipline; he/she is probably prepared to start as a beginner in the chosen discipline. The instructor will attempt to help find an instructor in the chosen discipline. If the family's original intent was to buy or lease a horse after some knowledge was acquired, then the student is probably more prepared to take part in such a responsibility now (it is recommended that all family members gain similar experience). The student and family are encouraged to continue taking lessons until the family is comfortable with the new horse.