A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal… Proverbs 12:10
Outten Ridin’ Ranch (ORR) offers limited group and private Natural Horsemanship lessons. Summer Camp agendas are posted in May when we will begin taking registrations.
At ORR, we begin with a focus on Natural Horsemanship, an excellent base for all other disciplines, whether it be trails, dressage, reining, or barrel racing. Core concepts include teachings on pressure and release, feel and timing, and making the right thing easy for the horse. Equitation and balance of the rider are other key focus areas of our lessons. ‘Equitation’ or ‘proper riding posture’ is not just about looks! It is based on physics and has a huge impact on the safety and effectiveness of any rider. Something as simple as holding the reins incorrectly can throw the rest of your body out of position and hinder your riding. Learning equitation and proper balance in motion will open a world of possibilities for a rider. The diversity of our instructors allows intermediate riders to begin to develop their skills in a chosen discipline. Learn about our instructors.
Lessons use a progression of Natural Horsemanship Skills. Lesson plans/goals for each level are available once a student enrolls. The introductory level is for young riders who cannot yet ride and care for a pony independently and who should always practice their skills on a lead or lunge line. Study guides are available, and achievements in horsemanship are tracked. Videos and pictures, providing a glimpse of skills being practiced, are sent to students/parents.
Lessons progress from groundwork and basic care to learning to communicate with a horse while riding. The relationship with the horse, how to communicate, and becoming a team are primary building blocks from which more advanced riding is built on.
Remember! Lessons are NOT always in the saddle. Lessons include caring for a horse, understanding equine behavior, interpreting a horse’s communication/body language, and prioritizing a relationship with the horse. Lessons also include ground training skills, including yielding, targeting, and directing the horse’s movement.
EVERY LESSON includes principles within the four core areas of:
The MOUNTED Curriculum
Learning to ride ALWAYS starts with safety. Ultimately, correct and thoughtful riding creates a partnership with the horse. As students progress in riding, the different movements of the horse will challenge them to use different postural responses, strengthening muscles and improving coordination, balance, posture, muscle tone, confidence, and well-being. ‘Equitation’ or ‘proper riding posture’ is not just about looks! It is based on physics and has a huge impact on the safety and effectiveness of any rider.
Mounted Beginner Riding goals
Students will learn all about riding basics, including Basic care before and after riding, mounting and dismounting, balanced position, posture building blocks (eyes, hands, legs, seat), using aids to instruct your pony, holding reins, performing walk-halt transitions.
The UNMOUNTED Curriculum
Unmounted lessons focus on the knowledge needed to successfully care for and work with horses, testing students on horse handling, veterinary, and stable management skills. Unmounted lessons offer students the opportunity to develop a heightened self-awareness, learn how non-verbal communication can impact their horse, and gain self-confidence as they learn how to work with large and powerful creatures.
Examples of Unmounted Curriculum
MAIN SKILL: RESPONSIBILITY
MAIN SKILLS: MINDFULNESS & COMMUNICATIONS
All skills must be demonstrated to progress to the next level, with the student maintaining a safe, basic balanced position: heels down, eyes up, quiet hands, and a line running from the head through the shoulder and hip to the heel. Students are awarded ribbons and certificates of completion when they demonstrate skills at each level.
Children do best at gaining equine skills with repetition and consistent exposure. It generally takes 2 years to develop enough competence to learn all the basics of horse care and be able to ride on your own (e.g. catch, tie, lead, tack up, ride, go down the trail). Each student progresses at their own rate and natural talent, age and number of hours in the saddle impact progression rates. The more you ride the better you get.
HELMETS
Students are required to wear an ASTM-approved helmet and boots. Adjustable helmets are available for use, or students are welcome to purchase their own helmets. Helmets can be purchased locally at MBarD or on Amazon.
BOOTS
Boots must have a 1” heel to help keep the foot from slipping through the stirrup and have a smooth sole surface. Boots with treads or boots without a 1” heel will not be allowed. Students will not be able to ride without boots.
CLOTHING
Students should wear long pants that are stretchy or have give/flexibility and a long-sleeved shirt.
During the first-year students learn all about safety and balance – they will learn how to halter, tie, lead, groom, tack, and ride. This does not mean they will master these skills in the first year, but students should at least be able to understand the previously mentioned terms. In the first year, students should be able to walk and trot, ride basic patterns and begin canter work.
During the second year, students should be refining the walk, trot, and canter, and ride more difficult patterns with increasing accuracy. They may learn how to ride a horse in collection or in the bridle. At this point, it is recommended that students increase exposure and education by joining a pony club, or 4H, or attending a camp, horse show, or clinic.
During the third year of lessons, students should be at a point to safely ride independently. However the best of riders know the importance of learning for life and ongoing lessons and attending clinics to hone in more advanced skills or specifics to a discipline (e.g. English Pleasure, Hunter Jumper, Saddle Seat, Dressage, Reining, Barrel Racing etc) are recommended. When a rider is competent to ride and care for a horse independently, we recommend leasing before buying. Leasing a horse is a great way to increase saddle time without taking on the commitment or expense of owning. Leasing also allows you the experience of caring for a horse fully, a great way to figure out if you are ready for a horse of your own.
We encourage parents and students to understand that mastering the skills to be a proficient and safe rider takes practice. LOTS of practice. A good rider knows that learning and practicing new skills never ends. As a student, no matter your experience level, you will have good lessons, GREAT lessons, and days where nothing will jive between you, your horse, and the whole world. Becoming a safe, proficient rider requires time, lots of practice, and patience as you build your basics. We will always encourage students and the horse to relax, have fun, and be safe.
Parents
Parents are invited and welcome to observe/watch as long as they remain ‘off duty.’ Horse lessons are not the time to intervene in behavior or add instructions. The student must focus entirely on their horse and instructor, and distractions should be minimal. If you are a nervous parent or tend to worry about your child being hurt, it may be best to enjoy the videos and pictures captured and not stay to observe. Questions are welcome, and the instructor enjoys open communication with parents.
Offering both private and group lessons. The minimum age for lessons is 8 years.
Private Lessons are $75 per lesson. Group Lessons are $50 per lesson
If you would like to get started with lessons with us, we have a pre-registration form we invite you to fill out. After we receive your information, we will contact you with the next steps.
