Frequently asked:

There is never a silly question!  Our clients come from varying backgrounds, so I'll be asking you questions as well, as different people have differing goals and abilities.

What to Wear:

Jeans are allowed (but can be restrictive and scratch the saddle if they have big seams), some kind of soft pant/tights is much preferred, specific riding pants/breech are best, but no specific pant is required.  In the winter, layer up!

Wear what is comfortable on top, but try to avoid billowing or long shirts. We need to see your form to help you ride.

Wear long hair back in a low pony tail or braided, as high set pony tails can interfere with helmet.

For the first lessons, any closed shoe is okay, but once regular lessons commence a low heeled boot is required for safety.

Helmets are available and every rider regardless of age must wear one.

How long does it take?

Learning to ride is a very personal endeavor. There are too many variables to predict success, as athletic types can be fearful, or brave types can have little coordination. But generally, we have you trotting a bit on your own within 5-10 lessons. Some are faster, some are a lot slower.

Weight limit?

Industry standards recommend that a horse carry no more than 18-25 % of its body weight in a rider. Most of our lesson horses fall in the 1000 lb range. Most beginners are more unbalanced than an experienced rider (think wiggly toddler on your shoulders).  We set a limit of 200 lbs for beginners to allow our horses to continue to do their jobs and keep our riders safe.

When to arrive:

Arrive at the time we set. We sometimes schedule a bit tight, so if you arrive early, please be patient.  From the appointed time, figure an hour to an hour and a half for the first lesson.  It takes 15 to 20 minutes usually to get ready (more the first time), the ride time, and 10 minutes to put the horse away, or so. 

When can I ....?

With any skill (trotting, cantering, jumping), the foundation skills must be present to safely advance.  We walk and steer in balance before we try trotting.  We trot on the longe line (a long line I control) before we trot on our own. and we have to trot with control before we canter and then jump.   If you have any questions about the skills progression, please ask.  Riders do not have to learn jumping, but we do teach going over poles on the ground as it is an excellent balancing exercise.

Do you do Trail riding?

Well, that depends. Regular lesson students do trail ride, either separately or as part of a lesson riding time. As to public, one time trail rides, that is dependent on the lesson schedule as to availability. Email, call or text for open times.  Pokagon State Park is the closest public trail riding, and there are several places within a two hour drive of Fort Wayne that offer regular public trail riding as their main business model. We do use English saddles to trail ride.

Scenes from the farm