Riding Program Ages 6-13

 Mission Ridge Stables' lesson program is an excellent way for children to learn all about horses. Children will learn about horsemanship both on the ground, and in the saddle. Every month includes 4 lessons, one of which may be a theory lesson where participants will learn how to catch, groom, and tack up their horses, along with other groundwork and theory lessons like lunging, healthcare, etc! We have the option of using both miniature horses, and full size horses in our program. The small size of our miniature horses are beneficial because they are exactly like horses, but less intimidating, making them perfect for ground work - leading, brushing, and safety! Children engage in team emphasized exercises, and find themselves learning valuable skills in a fun, and exciting atmosphere. 

NOTE: Children may be assigned a volunteer to lead the horse until the child is comfortable, and able to control the horse on their own. Children will still have reins to steer, but for their safety we will keep them on lead until they are deemed ready to ride without assistance. The riding instructor will assess whether or not a rider requires a leader.

AVAILABILITY - We run lessons on the following days. Please email for availability, you can be added to our waitlist for an open spot if we are full on a specific day or time.

Tuesday’s

5:30-6:30 - Full

6:30-7:30 - Full

7:30-8:30 Advanced - Full

Wednesday’s 

4:00-5:00 - 2 spots

5:00-6:00 - 2 spots

7:00-8:00 Advanced - 2 spots

Thursday’s

5:00-6:00 - Full

6:00-7:00 Advanced - Full

7:00-8:00 Adult - Full

Saturday’s

9:00-10:00 - 1 spot

10:00-11:00 - Full

11:00-12:00 - Full

12:30-1:30 Advanced - Full

1:30-2:30 Youth/Adult - Full

2:30-3:30 Adult - 1 spot 

Sunday

Private Lessons

Each lesson is 1 hour. Riders for the most part will be riding in lessons, we however also incorporate theory, ground work and on occasion a trail ride depending on rider experience. Theory and ground work are an important part of lessons, increasing the participants knowledge in horse care/handling. We believe that riders should be involved in all aspects of horse care and handling, in addition to learning how to ride and advancing in the sport.

Participants will be learning about:   
- Horseback Riding
- Catching and leading

- Tacking their horse

- Horse handling 

- Safety around horses

- Grooming 

- Horse feeding 

- Horse care 

- Horse body language 

- And much more!  

Parents are not obligated to stay, and children may be dropped off earliest 10 min before their scheduled class, and must be picked up by the specified end time. If parents are staying, we encourage them to sidewalk during their child's riding lesson, especially for the younger children. Side walkers support and help the rider as needed to perform the lesson tasks, and it's a good way for parents to be part of their children's activities.

**All riders must be wearing covered footwear with a heel (approx 1-1.5 inches), and all riders must wear a riding helmet (ASTM/SEI certified equestrian helmet). Riders may purchase their own helmet, or use one provided by the facility. **Bike helmets are not approved** 

Cost $200/Month +GST

Classes fill up fast - in order to secure a spot, please email us at MissionRidgeStables@gmail.com

Adapted from a social media post: 

FAQ: How much for a lesson and what is included in that cost?"

Many trainers, stables, and owners hear this question. We give a simple price and simple answer of $50 per 1 hour for a group lesson, etc.

But what we really should be saying is you get all of this:

• You get the years of knowledge and experience that a breeder put into breeding a quality animal that will be rideable.
• You get the years of experience that it took to be able to properly select a horse safe enough for a lesson for your child.
• You get the years of time spent by trainers and instructors putting education and mileage on the lesson horse to know how to do its job. 
• You get to use the tack that we spent time searching for at the right price and fit, the saddle, bridle, martingales, bit, saddle pad, girth, half-pad. The halter and lead rope that brings it from the field. The hoof pick, curry comb, brushes, shampoo, hoses, buckets that we purchased to properly groom the  horse to keep them healthy for your lesson. 
• You get the hay, grain, water, fly spray, wormer, vet bills, farrier and medicine, supplements, shavings, stall mats, barn, fencing, electricity, insurance, clippers, combs, rain sheets, winter blankets, towels, brooms, feed bins, water troughs, muck rakes, manure spreaders, washer, dryer, grooming boxes, saddle racks and horse trailer, tires, brakes and maintenance on the trailer and truck that hauls that is needed when the horse needs to go to the vet. 
• You get the coggins, vaccines, dental on the horses you ride
• You get the labor that goes into cleaning and feeding. The time and labor of the person who has to walk a horse through the night that might be colicking. 
• You get to put wear and tear on the farm, on the footing in the arena, the jumps and fields. 
• You get the cost of the machinery and equipment, the arena groomer and their maintenance. 
• You get to ride the lesson horse's without worrying about any possible health risks to them from riding

For these reasons we require a commitment to regular lessons, we don't allow lesson horses to jump 5 days a week, and they can only jump a maximum of 2 ft to hopefully stay healthy and sound.

There is far more to a lesson program than just getting on a horse. All of the required maintenance and upkeep of the horses and the facility is built into the cost of every lesson.