Horseback Riding Lessons at Mystic Valley Farm:
Interested in learning how to ride horses? At Mystic Valley Farm, I focus on improving your horse riding abilities by strengthening your equitation skills. Unifying the horse and rider is the equestrian experience I strive to encourage. Ride either English or western tack. Being properly dressed is important, see required horseback riding attire.
Your choice of English or Western-style riding instruction is available. A horse will be provided to match your ability.
Beginner and Intermediate Horseback Riding Lessons
Private lessons are currently available for either beginner or advanced riders.
Book a lesson by email 1katfitz@gmail.com or call/text: 970-819-1385
Basic Riding Skills - Learn how to mount, and dismount your horse. The focus of the lesson will be placed on strengthening your riding position (equitation), and how to use your "aids" to communicate with the horse. Exercises will be provided to help the rider gain equitation strength and learn how to apply their "aids", or communicate effectively with the horse.
Riding all Three Gaits - the long-term goal of the beginner & intermediate rider will be to ride all three gaits: walk, trot, and canter. Riding all gaits is accomplished through developing the skills of the rider and riding a properly schooled horse.
Riding Basic Patterns - Part of riding all the gaits is learning how to ride patterns and being able to ride both sides of the horse. These patterns such as circles, serpentines, and changes of directions. This helps the horse and rider develop symmetry and balance. Requiring riding skills and position so you can become an effective rider, not just a passenger.
Farm road riding
Once riders have gained the confidence and skills to ride independently, riders will be joined with an instructor for hacking on a dirt farm road. Riders will walk, trot and possibly canter on the rolling county farm road. Enjoy beautiful North Routt vistas of Hahns Peak, Farwell Mountain, Sand Mountain, and other majestic country scenery.
- Private lesson on MVF horse or your horse $135 - 1+ hour (up to 1.5 hours). The total time includes ground skills such as grooming, tacking, and other skills as required.
- Three lesson package on MVF horse $375 - 3 x 1-hour private lessons. Each lesson will be up to 1.5 hours.
- Semi-private - $200. The lesson includes ground handling. Total time can be up to 1.5 hours.
- Youth or first-time lessons. Short introductory lessons for young or first-time riders will run from 45 minutes up to 1 hour. Ground and basic introduction skills are covered. $100
Beginner and intermediate riding lessons will focus on the following:
Ground Manners and horse handling skills - you will learn the basics of catching, haltering, leading, grooming, saddling & bridling the horse. Explanation of tack, its uses, and effectiveness.Basic Riding Skills - Learn how to mount, and dismount your horse. The focus of the lesson will be placed on strengthening your riding position (equitation), and how to use your "aids" to communicate with the horse. Exercises will be provided to help the rider gain equitation strength and learn how to apply their "aids", or communicate effectively with the horse.
Riding all Three Gaits - the long-term goal of the beginner & intermediate rider will be to ride all three gaits: walk, trot, and canter. Riding all gaits is accomplished through developing the skills of the rider and riding a properly schooled horse.
Riding Basic Patterns - Part of riding all the gaits is learning how to ride patterns and being able to ride both sides of the horse. These patterns such as circles, serpentines, and changes of directions. This helps the horse and rider develop symmetry and balance. Requiring riding skills and position so you can become an effective rider, not just a passenger.
Farm road ridingOnce riders have gained the confidence and skills to ride independently, riders will be joined with an instructor for hacking on a dirt farm road. Riders will walk, trot and possibly canter on the rolling county farm road. Enjoy beautiful North Routt vistas of Hahns Peak, Farwell Mountain, Sand Mountain, and other majestic country scenery.
Advanced Riding Instruction & Horse Training
Lessons and training are also available for more advanced riders and their horses. If you are looking for training of your horse. Please contact me so we can talk about your horse training goals.
My horse and rider training specialties are:
- Hunter / Jumper training
- Dressage schooling
- Western pleasure
- Starting the young horse
- Working with problem horses
- Managing the lame horse
