LESSONS

Experience the magic and beauty of classical riding for yourself! See how you can transform your riding and improve your horse’s balance and fitness through our supportive and kind approach that gives you solid tools and exercises to practice at home as well as giving you the why behind the exercises. We welcome riders of all levels, from beginner to FEI, and from all backgrounds, as classical riding is beneficial to all disciplines and breeds (including gaited horses). Lessons with our instructor can include a variety of different approaches, from ridden biomechanics to work in-hand to an integration of obstacles to liberty to Rossfechten (mounted swordsmanship). Every lesson is tailored to each rider’s goals and experience level, from riders new to classical riding to those with aspirations for FEI or “haute ecole.” We also work with para-riders and others who struggle with physical challenges.

Bring your horse for dedicated attention to you and your horse, or ride one of ours if you don’t have your own or need additional guidance from one of our equine professors, including Maestro, our Equicizer, a life-size horse simulator. We are happy to work with all breeds, including gaited horses and mules.

For children up to 12 years of age, we offer vaulting lessons to develop the seat as well as have fun building confidence, balance, and strength. For precocious/advanced children riders, we incorporate mounted games. However, we prefer to focus on vaulting first with the little ones until they show they are confident and capable. We can accommodate exceptions in special cases, so please feel free to inquire if your child is already advanced for their age.

While we take the knowledge, skills, and values seriously, we certainly do not take ourselves seriously and use humor and kindness to make the most of the learning experience. Laughter is a common sound in our barn, as it is a powerful aide to learning and growing.

Lessons over Zoom, Pivo, or other virtual platforms are also available. Contact us if you wish to take virtual lessons or theory sessions, and we can advise you how to set up for these lessons if you’ve never done them before.

Theory and grooming/groundwork lessons are also available, both in-person and over a virtual platform.

Want to stay the weekend and maximize your learning? Contact us about a la carte “retreats!” Sign up for as many lesson types as you want for a personalized retreat with onsite lodging in our charming 1880’s era farmhouse!

Student Expectations

What to Bring

New students often wonder what they should wear or bring to lessons here. If you are an existing rider, we appreciate appropriate lesson attire, which includes riding boots with a heel, comfortable pants for riding (jeans generally not recommended due to seam issues), shirts that aren’t revealing or too loose-fitting (so we can see your seat more effectively), an ATSM-certified helmet, and appropriate riding gloves. Fun colors are encouraged. If you are new to riding, yoga pants work instead of riding breeches, but boots with a 1″ heel and a helmet are required. For current or aspiring riders who need riding equipment, check out The Rider’s Closet, a nonprofit that provides show and lesson apparel to riders who need financial assistance, or our Resource List of links to affordable starter helmets, multi-purpose boots, and comfortable gloves. Conversely, if you are a rider with used boots that you don’t use anymore, consider donating them to the Rider’s Closet through the Der Dau Trade-In Program.

For riders bringing their horse, any style of tack is welcome. Snaffle bits are preferred in the beginning, though if you are looking to improve your work on the double bridle specifically, please bring that as well. Whatever you use, it is best to bring the things that fit your horse the best and that your horse is happiest in, so if you’re debating whether to bring an all-purpose saddle that your horse likes or a dressage saddle that’s not as well-fitting, bring the all-purpose.

Most of all, bring an open mind and willing attitude. We do not judge you for where you are in your riding journey as long as you are eager to learn and willing to listen.

Time and Cancellation Policies

We ask that students arrive early enough to groom and tack up their horse before their lesson time so that the lesson can begin promptly at their scheduled time. This helps us with our scheduling and is respectful to the rest of the barn family’s time as well. Be prepared to groom your assigned horse if you are riding one of our horses and to tidy the tack-up area and clean their tack when done. If time is limited, we can tack up for you at an additional fee. We will show you their tack and grooming equipment in the beginning, but once you are established as a student with us, we ask that you perform these tasks unless you have a physical limitation (in which case, we’re happy to accommodate). For beginners, some of the lesson time will be taken with learning to groom and tack up the horse until they are independent. We feel this is a valuable skill for all horsemen/women to develop and hone, as you learn much about the horse through grooming and tacking up.

Please schedule and/or cancel lessons at least 24 hours before time. If you have to cancel your lesson after this deadline, you will be charged your lesson fee, as we usually cannot fill your lesson spot on short notice. We reserve the right to cancel lessons in case of severe weather (tornado warnings, lightning, white-out conditions, temperatures below 15F, etc.). However, we will still ride in rain, cold, and other similar mild conditions, as the indoor provides protection from the elements and is connected to the stables. Riding lessons can be traded for theory, Equicizer, PEMF, or Meadow Meditation sessions without penalty. Subscribers may reschedule their lesson as long as they provide 24 hours notice, but lessons may not roll over into the next month.

Payment is expected prior to or at the time of the lesson. We accept cash, personal check, Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal. If you incur a cancellation fee, you will be expected to pay before you may schedule your next lesson.