When can my child start riding lessons?
Agape Farms has started children 5 years old and younger with half-hour riding lessons. The key is to know your child’s individual development and decide accordingly. If you have a young rider who is horse-crazy then the barn is just the place to be! They get wonderful exposure to a one-on-one instructional format and are taught age appropriate riding exercises. These young riders are in-hand (on a lead at all times) until confidence and skill level has developed to become an independent rider. Parents are the best to determine when a child is ready to ride. Lessons are a good thing rather than risking an unsafe experience and turning them off of horses for life. Traits for a child to be an independent rider are:
- The desire to ride.
- Muscle strength to hold the proper position in the saddle
- Neck muscles strong enough to support fitted, approved protective headgear.
- The balance to remain on the horse and react safely.
- The ability to understand instructions, sufficient attention span for instructions, and obedience to follow instructions.
Riding is an acquired skill and comes with a great deal of responsibility. Our students learn how to groom and care for the horse as part of their lesson. Emotional maturity for responsibility is just as important at Agape Farms as physical development of riding.
How do I find the right stable and instructor?
Referrals are still the best advertisement. Always keep an open mind because choosing an instructor is a very individual choice for an adult rider or child. You will know what barn is comfortable; it has nothing to do with how much you know about horses. Visit and "interview" a few barns. The barns you are considering take an introductory lesson and get exposed to the different styles of instruction and barn atmosphere. Choosing the right instructor is very important to ensure that your riding is enjoyable and educational. Talk to people who ride or have children who ride at the facility you are considering. Every riding instructor has a different way of doing things. A good instructor is sensitive and understanding; should not angrily yell or try to intimidate you. If you observe or receive instruction like that, go somewhere else! Don't be afraid to ask questions. Your first concern should be safety. Look for an instructor who focuses on the positive. When you're first starting out you make a lot of mistakes, it doesn't help to be criticized for that. An instructor should encourage students when they do something well. Once you have chosen an instructor, the first lesson should be devoted to simply getting comfortable on the horse, not galloping around the ring. When examining a stable and an instructor consider the following questions: Is safety a main concern? Are the lesson horses calm and easygoing? Do the other students look like they are having fun? Does the instructor offer solid, positive reinforcement to the riders?
Getting started: Schedule a lesson or perhaps take a lesson with several different instructors in order to choose the one that best suits your objectives and personality. Also, use this time to see if you are comfortable on a horse and want to continue. Only after you are sure that horseback riding is not a passing fancy should you consider purchasing the necessary equipment and signing up for months of lessons.
Most stables have private and group lessons available. Money spent on a few private lessons at the beginning is well worth the price. Your riding abilities can be individually assets and discussed. You also will feel more comfortable asking questions, without thinking you are slowing down the others, to learn your instructors "lingo". Group lessons become beneficial for beginners where they can observe the strengths and weaknesses of other riders and benefit from watching and doing. Returning to private lessons from time to time helps to hone your skills, or when your schedule does not allow you to join a group lesson. As your riding advances you will know what lesson setting is best.
Students: an instructor should have no problem with you observing lessons. Take the time to watch closely while the instructor interacts with students and make sure you or your child feels comfortable before committing to lessons. In particular, try to observe a teacher who is teaching students the same age. Watching a teacher work with teenage students won't tell you much about how well they interact with seven-year-olds or adults.
What about riding instructor certification?
Certified instructors have demonstrated (to a self-appointed certifying organization's satisfaction) the ability to instruct their students in a safe, knowledgeable and professional manner. Certification does not necessarily mean they are a good instructor or will work well with all ages and/or skill levels. There are good non-certified instructors, just as there are bad certified instructors. When choosing an instructor, your "gut" feeling along with this evaluation and selection criteria described in this handout is an important factor. Agape Farms offers a certification for instructors and camp counselors. Our students can also be tested and awarded in areas of riding, grooming, and care.
How much does a riding lesson cost?
Typically, group lessons in our area cost between twenty-five to forty dollars per hour. Private lessons are a little more expensive, averaging thirty-five to sixty dollars per 3/4 hour. Some stables and instructors require payment in advance for a set number of lessons. Some offer a discount for payment in advance. Lessons are your best value and investment of your time. Putting yourself as an apprentice to a good horseman you will enjoy many hours of safe and successful riding.
We invite you to visit and sincerely offer our assistance for achieving your horse goals or discovering them.
