This class is required for all new students. It covers basic horsemanship skills including safety, grooming, tacking, and basic riding skills, thus building a foundation for our continuing riding program. Three lessons are non-riding. Students will learn to enter a horse's stall and lead the horse from its stall to the arena. They will also learn to tighten the girth and adjust their stirrups, techniques to properly mount a horse, the proper dismounting procedures, and returning the horse to its stall. As students become more proficient with these skills actual riding time will increase accordingly. Students and parents should also be aware that due to the nature of the horse, behaviors such as spooking, biting, kicking, bucking, and playing will occur. "How to" handle these situations as a rider are an integral part of horsemanship and will be addressed in lessons.

Is your child in love with ponies? Do they want to learn to ride? This program is the perfect place for them to begin to get involved in the wonderful world of ponies and horses. Children ages 4-6 will learn to be comfortable with our little four-legged friends and be introduced to basics of riding and working around our ponies. Participants should wear long pants and hard soled shoes or boots, helmets are provided for use.