Intro to Horses Class, April 2026

By /
Woman in blue long sleeve shirt, navy blue ball cap and blue jeans demonstrates how to use curry combs on a brown horse

This four-week, entry-level course is for those interested in learning about horses but not quite ready for consistent lessons. Students learn basic horse care, approaching and leading the horse, parts of the saddle, tacking up, and more. Most of the instruction is on the ground with some riding. In the fourth and final class, students take a written test and a riding test for the opportunity to earn a Certified Horsemanship Association level 1 certificate of achievement.

Details

  • For ages 10 and up
  • Cost: $350
  • Includes CHA Composite Manual
  • 6 spots available

Dates/Time: 

  • April 11, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
  • April 18, 3:30 – 5:30 PM
  • April 25,  3:30 – 5:30 PM
  • May 2 – No class, but participants are welcome to come watch 180 Ranch students at a horse show in Fayetteville
  • May 9,  3:30 – 5:30 PM

Prerequisites

  • No prior horse experience necessary
  • Rider weight limit is 250 pounds
  • Must be in good physical condition for lots or walking, lifting, mounting/dismounting horses and riding
  • Please review our liability waiver in detail for additional safety requirements.

Skills to Develop During Class

  • Knowledge of basic safety
  • Approaching, haltering, and leading  a horse safely
  • Tying a horse with the quick release knot
  • Identification and use of  grooming tools
  • Parts off the saddle (English and/or western)
  • Parts of the bridle (English and/or western)
  • Saddling and bridling
  • Mount a horse from a mounting block
  • The four natural aids (seat, legs, voice, hands) and how they are used
  • Ask-tell-command progression
  • Safe spacing between horses while riding
  • Riding the horse in circles and reverses at the walk, trot, and halt in the arena
  • Basic trail etiquette
  • Dismounting a horse to the ground

Tentative Agenda

Week 1, April 11

 Learn and practice basic safety, grooming and saddling, watch riding demo, practice mounting and dismounting; study materials to take home: parts of the saddle worksheet, parts of the bridle worksheet, piece of rope to practice the quick release knot

Week 2, April 18

Review week 1 skills; introduce parts of the saddle and bridle, how to bridle, four natural aids and ask/tell/command, practice riding

Week 3, April 25

Review week 1 and 2 skills, practice CHA level 1 riding test

May 2 – Easter weekend, no class

Week 4, May 9

Take CHA level 1 test

Sign Up Now

Ready to register? Click the button to access the registration form:

Register
Scroll to Top