Lesson Program
Hunter – Jumper – Equitation
Even though our lessons are booked for an approximate hour time slot, please note that time frame approximate and can run over or under from time to time and is completely dependent on the necessary elements for an educationally productive and physically positive growth process. We offer our lessons in monthly packages and always strive to customize your lesson schedule to fit in with your busy, daily life. Special times are also available for younger children, home-schooled, and adults. We offer special lesson packages and prices for boarders and students 5 and over. We welcome haul-in students as well. Many of our lesson ponies and horses are available for a full lease and half lease. Please visit our “For Sale and Lease” page to see availability of Castle Creek’s wonderful lesson ponies and horses. Our lesson ponies and horses are also available to lease for the day of horse shows. Lessons Are Purchased In monthly Lesson Packages.** Note: Once a student purchases a package for the month, any extra lessons that month may be paid for individually for private or group per lesson**CCF Example: If a student’s lesson day is Monday, the student will check how many Mondays are in that month and MUST purchase accordingly—either four lessons or five lessons accordingly. If a student rides twice a week, he or she MUST purchase two lesson packages in order to reserve those two weekly lessons. If a student cannot make a lesson, he or she must notify CCF 24 hours prior to the missed lesson. If CCF is not notified within 24 hours, the student will lose the make-up time for that lesson. The student is responsible for rescheduling make-up times. All make-up lessons must be taken by the last day of the month. The only exceptions to this policy is if CCF has to cancel a lesson due to weather or horse show schedule. In this instance, the lesson may be carried over to the following month for your convenience. No refunds will be given. We are not sticklers for time and leave an allowance for a balance on either side. Life happens people run late, get stuck in traffic or even arrive early. We are very easy going, non-Judgmental, and understanding. We provide a safe encouraging and nurturing environment for all to enjoy their passion on their own degree and level of desire. Most of all we value the importance of ensuring a good time had with horses and horse lovers. Moving forward if you choose to, we highly suggest scheduling a time to come do a meet & greet and tour the facilities. That way anytime via email or by calling/texting (585)433-5882 you can decide if we are the right fit for you and your needs. POLICIES |
Students are to arrive at least 15 min. before the scheduled lesson time to allow time to get ready find a properly fitted helmet. Please brush your horse before and after riding.
Lessons will be cancelled if temperatures get above 95 degrees or below 15 degrees. We will leave a message on the recorder if lessons are cancelled.
Please wear appropriate footwear (1/2 inch heel), long pants, riding gloves, secure long hair, and have an approved helmet CCF.
All riders must sign a waiver and provide current medical information. Minors will also need parental permission.
We have a 24-hour cancellation period. If you must cancel your lesson, please do so before this time and we can reschedule.
If you do not cancel in time there will be charged for your lesson.
BEGINNER PROGRAM
What Will You Learn in a Beginner Horseback Riding Lesson? Learning how to ride a horse takes practice, and instruction from a professional horseback riding instructor can help.
Horseback riding lessons are an excellent way to learn the basics of riding and caring for a horse. As with any new thing you learn, it’s best to start with the basics. Even the greatest equestrians had to learn to trot before they could canter and how to turn before they could jump!
Here’s a list of things you will learn in a horseback riding lesson as a beginner.
As a beginner, you will learn:
- How to use a lead-rope.
Learning to lead a horse is an important part of ground training. You might be questioning why learning this ground skill is important. Aren’t you supposed to learn how to ride on the horse? Yes, and leading is one of the first steps! Learning to lead your horse will improve your ability to control the horses’ movements and improve your communication with the horse on the ground and on the horse.
- How to tack up a horse.
Place the saddle pad up on the horse’s neck and gently slide it back into place. Slide the stirrups up on the straps so they don’t hit the horse’s side when you equip the saddle. Next, place the saddle gently on top of the saddle pad. Buckle the girth on the right side of the horse. Then move to the left side of the horse and reach underneath the horse and pull the girth toward you. Slowly pull the girth tight and buckle it. Then slide the stirrups down on the straps. Wait a few seconds and check the girth again to see if it needs to be tightened again. If you are using a martingale, buckle that on now.
Untie the horse from the cross ties or hitching post. Put the reins from the bridle over the horse’s neck. This allows you to better control the horse if you need be. Place your fingers on either side of the bit and push the bit into the horse’s mouth. Then slowly slide the headpiece up and over the horse’s ears, and loosely buckle the throat latch.
- How to stop and start the horse.
You will learn how to stop and start the horse both on the ground and on horseback. On the ground, stopping the horse will include verbal and physical cues. Once on horseback, you will use the reins to control the horse’s movement in addition to other physical and verbal cues.
- How to mount the horse.
Proper mounting technique varies. English and western styles of riding each require their own particular method of mounting the horse. Many beginners struggle to mount on the first time and may require assistance. This is because new riders have not developed the muscle strength needed to mount a horse. With practice, you’ll build up strength and master the mounting technique for your riding style.
- How to ride at a walk pace.
Now that you’ve established communication with the horse and know how to mount the horse, you’re ready to ride! You will begin with a walk pace and practice walking in a circle around an enclosed arena. Riding at a walk pace is a great opportunity for riders to learn how to direct their horse around bends and corners of the arena.
- How to trot.
A trot pace is slightly faster than a walk, and the horse lifts each pair of diagonal legs alternately. Learning to trot is an exciting step for a beginning rider. The ability to trot indicates that the rider has learned to communicate with the horse and feels comfortable in the saddle.
How to move from a seated to standing position in the saddle.
The movement from a seated to standing position it called posting. When you reach a trot pace, an up and down movement of the torso occurs naturally. To enhance this movement, the rider presses down into the stirrups and keeps the ankles relaxed, not bracing the ankles to force an up and down movement. The pressure on the stirrups and flowing with the natural movement of the horse will help a rider post.
- How to clean and groom the horse.
At the beginning or end of the lesson, the instructor will have you clean and groom the horse. You will learn about the different types of brushes and how to use them. Different types of bushes, such as the dandy brush and curry comb, are used on different areas of the horse’s body. The mane and tail require a different brush than the body and face. You’ll also learn how to pick a horse’s hooves. Once you’ve mastered these beginner horseback riding skills, you’ll move onto intermediate skills such as jumping and cantering. The key to learning to ride a horse is to be patient while mastering the horse riding basics. Many riders are eager to canter and want to move at a faster pace. However, taking your time as a beginner is essential in order to become a well-trained and safe rider.
JUNIOR PROGRAM
Junior program is designed to be goal oriented, challenging and fun. Some of the juniors in program want to horse-show, and so, horse show we go. Some students do not want to horse show but still want to be better riders. All the same, the students in the Junior Program are encouraged to work hard, have fun and strive to reach for their goals. The students ride year round and are encouraged to improve their horsemanship skills. The horse/rider relationship naturally evolves as the junior matures and advances in program.
The teachings help to accelerate the junior’s acceptance of independence while fostering a hard work ethic and a positive mindset that triggers the connection of a healthy mind/body/spirit. The parents of the riding students recognize the positive advances during this important adolescent period as their child begins to tackle life’s trials and tribulations with a “can do” attitude. Our instructors work closely with the students and parents to accommodate school and family obligations. They also mentor discipline, positive reinforcement and heart to heart talks during this important stage of the student’s development.
Juniors learn to:
- understand “form follows function”
- incorporate good overall horsemanship
- position the body properly at each gait
- demonstrate complete control of the horse
- understand the horse’s body language
- interpret the horse’s needs
- save fun while working hard toward a goal
- tackle life’s ups and downs with a winners attitude
- ready themselves for adulthood
ADVANCED PROGRAM
The Partnership:
Safety and Conditioning plays a big role in consistently proven lesson programs. Physical and mental conditioning of horse and rider is the key. The lesson horses are conditioned to be safe. Role is to teach the student to use body rhythm coupled with a conditioned mindset to lead the horse to enhanced performance. This comes through time, patience and consistency. The partnership is the foundation in which each succeeding lesson builds upon, one lesson block at a time.
The Building Blocks:
It is the intention as a horse trainer and riding instructor to leave the human/horse partnership enabled to be safe, comfortable and happy together when she is not around. Through time tested quality instruction, discipline, patience and hard work, the partnership naturally needs less guidance as horse and rider begin their developing relationship.
Empowering the Relationship:
As the student spends more time (in and out of the arena) with their horse, and applying the time tested techniques, the magical bonding of horse and rider naturally comes forth. From Trail and Pleasure Riders, to Eventing Competitors, hunter/jumper we have a proven track record for helping horse lovers of all disciplines achieve their goals.
Email or Phone: by calling/texting (585)721-1696 or; E-mail: info@castlecreekfarms.com