Horseback riding is a wonderful activity for children. There are a wide variety of horseback riding programs for children including weekly lessons, pony rides, trail rides, competition training barns and horse camps. It is important to determine and find the type of program that will fit your child’s goals and riding abilities.
What are you looking for: The first part of finding a program that fits your needs is figuring out
Basic Information on How Horse Programs Work & Where to start your Search: The Horse world is a different kind of business. A lot of the equine business is done through word of mouth. Talking with people who have participated in the programs you are interested in is a great way to find out more information. We also recommend contacting the program directly. exactly what you and your child are looking for? Are you interested in riding all year round? Are you interested in lessons three times a week, or maybe once a month? Does your child have an interest in competing? Does your child have a preference in the discipline they want to learn? Are they interested in jumping, western, dressage? Do you want to find a large program with a lot of other kids? Or a small individualized program? What kind of instructor would work best for your child? There are lots of elements to think about before you start your search.
Difference between an Instructor and Trainer: An instructor is a person that teaches riding
and is an active leader in a riding school. A trainer is the head of a riding program and trains clients and horses to reach their goals.
The Trainer and Instructors: The trainer is the most pivotal part of the program. Finding a great trainer can be very difficult, but is very important. The trainer owns and runs their own business with assistant instructors or grooms working for them. Great trainers love their clients and will devote unlimited hours to their success as well as their horse’s success. A good trainer will devote their attention to their clients, help them achieve goals and create an individualized plan to help your child succeed.
Important Aspects of a Riding Program: The culture, schedule and set up of the program will determine if the barn is right for your child.
- How long is the riding time in each lesson, week or month?
- How long is each lesson and how much of their lesson is riding? Does the program teach horsemanship or veterinary care?
- How many times per week can your child ride?How long is the riding time in each lesson, week or month?
- How long is each lesson and how much of their lesson is riding? Does the program teach horsemanship or veterinary care?
- How many times per week can your child ride?
Who Will Be Teaching Your Child?
o The head trainer or an assistant instructor?
o Ask for teaching or horsemanship certifications
o How old are they?
o Ask about kind of supervision is present when the kids are off of the horse?
o What kinds of teaching experiences have the instructors or trainers have had previous to the position they have now?
What Types of Riders are Present?
o Are there other kids their age involved in the program?
o How many other kids are involved?
o Are the other children friendly and welcoming of new riders?
o Are the kid’s parents with them?
o Are the other kids competing or just learning to ride?
o Are their older kids present? Are there accomplished older riders, riding in the same program?
o Find out success of students at shows or on college equestrian teams?
What Will Your Child Learn?
o What discipline is your child interested in? (jumping, dressage, trail riding?)
o Does your child have an interest in showing?
o Will your child learn about all aspects of horse care or just riding?
o Will your child learn how to ride on the trail or in an arena?
What Safety Proceedures are in Place?
o What is the age of the instructors? What is their experience with horses and children? Do they have any teaching certifications such as USHJA Certified Trainer certification or a Certified Horsemanship Association Instructor Certification?
o How do they handle accidents? What is the protocol if a rider gets hurt? Are the instructors certified in CPR & First Aid?
o Are all the riders wearing certified helmets?
o Are the riders wearing appropriate boots, chaps and clothing?
o Does the riding seem quite, organized and progressive?
o Is safety of their riders their number one concern?
o Is their arena level, gaited and supervised at all times?
o Can the instructor see each rider at all times when students are riding?
o Are there a proper proportion of students per Instructor? 1 instructor: 6 riders is a good ratio
What are the Facility, Horses, Prices and Location Like?
o Does the barn have a covered arena? Can you ride all year long?
o Is the barn clean, organized with updated structures
o Do the horses look happy: Fresh bedding, turn outs, accessible water and with appropriate diet
o Do they have appropriate lesson horses for beginner through advanced riders?
o How far away are you and your child willing to drive?
o Find out if the prices fit what you are looking for. Barns can be flexible on prices to fit your needs if necessary.
Steps to Finding Horse Program:
· 1.Begin your search online to look for programs in your area. There are a number of horse related websites with information on horseback riding. A great web listing for the San Francisco Bay Area is the Bay Area Equestrian Network.
· 2.Call any barns/programs that fit your requirements.
3.Set up a time to watch a sample lesson, ride in lesson and/or get a barn tour. If that is not available then see what other ways they have available for families to understand how their horse program works.
4.Try a lesson with the instructor
o Do you want a group or private?
o Do they have a program that suites your level of riding?
o Are they friendly and trustworthy?
o Are they on time, dressed appropriately for riding, seem interested and stay focused on your lesson?
o Do they talk on the phone during a lesson?
o Can they quickly identify what you need to work on? Can they quickly adjust their teaching style to encourage you ride better?
o Ask about their teaching skills and the success of their students.
If your child likes the first lesson, schedule a package of lessons for the next few weeks.
o After having several lessons, reflect on what your child has learned and accomplished.
Recourses on finding a horse program:
· 1.Look for East Bay Lesson Programs on Bayequest.info. Bayequest.info is the best way to find advertised horse programs inNorthern California.
· 2.Find a camp that fits your horse program needs at the American Camp Association. Look at ACA’s website for a list of accredited camps that offer horseback riding programs.
3.Ask for recommendations from people you know or participates in the program.
Please note: These programs can vary based on current instructors and management so we recommend you visit for yourself and talk with parents of children who ride there currently to determine if this is a good fit for your child.
If you have questions about Horse Camps or horse programs contact camp@roughingit.com
