Mountain Horse School offers private, semi-private and group riding/ horsemanship lessons. We use english style tack, but integrate insights and techniques from across all disciplines to provide an environment where the students' enthusiasm, interests and confidence and lead the way. From riders looking for a first experience/encounter with a horse, to more seasoned horse people looking to further their awareness and connection with their mounts, let us guide you to something unforgettable. 

Our way of teaching adapts to follow the students and their horses into the present moment, and includes the whole experience: your lesson begins the moment you arrive a the barn, and encompasses greeting, catching, getting your horse ready to ride, and untacking your horse and putting them away afterwards. This ground time naturally helps us learn equine body language, behaviour and psychology. It also helps us soak in the benefits of slow horsemanship-- letting our nervous systems and psyches settle and attune with our horses. Think of it as an opening and closing ceremony for your ride. 

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This group lesson is for riders 3-6 years old who are wanting an introduction to the world of horses. The hour includes meeting and learning to groom their horse or pony, visiting time with the animals, and a 15-20 minute pony ride. Each child needs to be within arm's reach of a parent at all times, and a parent is asked to assist with all the hands-on elements of the lesson.  

This 6 lesson series is an introduction to horses for those meeting them for the first time or with very little experience. The lessons are run in the same format as our camps with 2 students paired together with one horse, so they can work together and assist each other as they're learning. In this lesson series, we'll learn how to work and move around horses safely and how to groom and lead them, as well as develop riding skills such as rein handling, basic position, and basic aids. We'll experience riding at a walk both in and out of the ring, and learn to be comfortable trotting with assistance. We'll also receive a basic understanding of the body language, senses, instincts, and true nature of horses.

This six lesson series is a skill building series for those with more experience with horses. To join this class series, riders are expected to be able to catch and get their horses ready with some assistance, and be able to control their horses independently at a walk and trot. The lessons are run in the same format as our camps with 2 students paired together with one horse, so they can work together and assist each other as they're learning.

In these classes, we'll learn more advanced rein handling techniques (including half halts, and how to maintain an adjustable contact), and how to ride in jumping position. We'll start to develop our sitting trot, and grow our feel of what our horse's feet are doing under us and if their body is bent in the direction of travel. We'll ride up and down hills at a walk, and have our first trots outside the ring in preparation for learning to canter.