Ride
Welcome to HRF’s lesson academy!
Hello! And welcome! You’re likely here because you’re curious about lessons for yourself or your child. While this "letter” reads predominantly as a resource for parents, know that Hunters Ridge Farm offers lessons to all riders 5+ of all abilities! If you’re experienced and just looking for a new barn to call home, feel free to head straight over to our contact page and reach out! If you are a parent, or just new to riding in general, we strongly encourage you to continue reading!
We are so happy that you chose us and we can’t wait to get to know you/your rider. We all remember how excited we were for our first lesson and we believe that the quality of our instruction is what allowed us horse-crazy kids to stay horse-crazy into adulthood.
We’re also sure that you probably have some questions about what you’ll need to purchase, where you can find these items, what’s provided by our farm, what you/your rider will learn, etc. That’s why we created this introduction letter! Please take the time to read through this before your/your rider’s first lesson and then reach out to us with any follow-up questions!
What lessons are offered and how much will it cost?
As the name suggests, Hunters Ridge Farm is predominantly a hunter/jumper barn - that means that our lessons are taught in english saddles [no horns] and we teach english riding fundamentals [both hands on the reins, etc.]. We offer:
BEGINNER PROGRAM LESSONS
Our beginner program is a perfect introduction to horses for children and adults alike.
SHOW PROGRAM LESSONS:
Our show program lessons are perfect for riders who are interested in competing with our show team or those intermediate to advanced riders who are looking to further develop their riding skills.
Current rates are as follows and are applicable to non-boarders (students who will be learning on HRF horses)*:
$220 four lessons package
$400 eight lessons package
$65 for a private lesson
$55 for a group lesson
*Rates are subject to change and, though we try our best to stay on top of it, not always accurately reflected on this page. When reaching out about lessons please double-check with your HRF point of contact about current rates!
What can I expect [my rider] to learn in your lesson program?
Here at HRF [Hunters Ridge Farm - you’ll see this abbreviation a lot!] we take a fully-educational approach to horsemanship. Not only do our riders learn how to ride a horse, but they will also learn how to care for the horse before and after the ride by grooming, tacking up, untacking, and cooling down the horse that they are lessoning on that day! Of course, one of our trainers will be teaching/supervising them the whole time.
As the student gets more comfortable and confident around horses, they will learn how to catch and turn out a horse on their own.
They will also learn crucial skills like how to care for the equipment they are using, such as how to clean tack and brushes - this is part of the lesson program and crucial for any comprehensive lesson program!
Do students ride with a group or work one-on-one with their trainer?
We always recommend that riders begin lessons one-on-one with a trainer. After several months, you are welcome to discuss group lessons with your trainer and see if it’s recommended at that point.
Remember, every rider advances at a different pace! While we want to make sure that our students are having fun and enjoying their lessons, the safety of all of our riders is our top priority.
What should riders wear to lessons? What will I need to purchase? What is provided by the barn?
We recommend all of our riders start lessons in either thick leggings or comfortable jeans - remember, horses/ponies are wide and it can be uncomfortable to straddle a saddle in tight denim. We also recommend that riders wear a boot with a heel. At HRF, we teach English riding, so cowboy boots may work but are not necessarily recommended. We suggest investing in an inexpensive pair of paddock boots - like these for children - or paddock boots and half chaps for adults - for your safety and overall comfort.
Little hands [and big hands!] can get very sore from gripping the reins. While it is not required, we highly recommend purchasing a set of riding gloves - like these for children and these for adult
HRF provides ASTM certified riding helmets in a variety of sizes. Our riders are welcome to use our helmets until they are ready to purchase one of their own - we really like these Ovation helmets! If a rider has long hair, we suggest that it be worn in a low pony tail or braid. High ponytails or buns can compromise the fit of the helmet.
HRF provides all horse-related equipment such as tack and grooming supplies! Of course, riders want to bring their horse/pony a treat [carrots, an apple, a peppermint] they are always welcome to.
Anything else I should know?
Parents - While we love seeing you and the rest of your family support your HRF rider, please remember that they are there to learn. Distraction and horses don’t mix, so we ask that you allow, and even encourage, your rider to keep their full attention on their horse and their trainer.
Parents - We know that sometimes siblings or friends really want to interact with the horses, but we ask that they hold off on petting or feeding your rider’s lesson horse until after the lesson [with your trainer’s permission and supervision]. We also ask that nobody in your party feed any horses on the property anything without permission as some horses have dietary restrictions.
Horses are prey animals! That means that they can get a little spooky about things like sudden movement or sudden loud noises. We ask that everyone in your party keep this in consideration during their time at the barn.
Lessons begin at their scheduled time and last for 45 minutes. This does not guarantee 45 minutes of saddle time as grooming, tacking up, and untacking are all a part of the lesson [as mentioned above]. As riders gets more confident around horses and more adept at preparing their own horses for their ride, time in the saddle will increase! Please be patient [ parents - with both your rider and their trainer] as learning these skills is just as important as riding during the first few months of lessons.
Once again, reach out through our contact form if you have any additional questions and someone will be in touch shortly!
