Lessons
NEW POLICY BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2010: Payment for each month of lessons is due at the first lesson of the month. If you must cancel, please give 24 hours notice. If you do not give 24 hours notice then you will be required to pay for the lesson. Lessons must be rescheduled in the CALENDAR month. Payments will not carry over into the next month.
Molly’s goal is for students to learn in a fun and safe environment. Molly places strong emphasis on teaching students patience and good sportsmanship. Safety is an integral part of Molly’s instruction, and Molly teaches all participants how to respectfully and safely care for these large animals. Even the best minded horse can act dangerously at times, and students will learn how to prevent dangerous situations as well as what to do if a problem arises. Another goal of Molly’s is for children and adults alike to become effective riders and to have fun! What’s the point of participating in horseback riding if it’s not fun?! Molly is able to meet the needs of various levels of riders- from those who want to ride recreationally, improve their confidence, balance, and coordination, or compete at local shows, OHJA/KHJA/Tri-State hunter shows, and AQHA shows.
Students will become responsible, effective, and confident riders by learning how to understand and respond to the behavior of horses in a safe and fun environment.
Beginner and Intermediate students learn basic horse handling skills, grooming, tack, gaits of the horse, commands, ring etiquette, safety, various maneuvers and exercises, and daily horse care. Beginner students are introduced aspects of communicating to the horse like steering and asking the horse to stop and go while the horse is under the control of the instructor. These students will also be allowed to become comfortable with the horse’s movement at the walk and trot before being asked to steer and make the horse go. The key elements to Molly’s instruction include “communication with the horse and not control” (as controlling the horse will often lead to a cranky horse and rider!), and her three “R’s”: Read (understand what the horse is telling the rider), Respond (take the information the horse is giving the rider and decide how to proceed in a training like manner), and Reward or Release (when the horse responds to the rider appropriately, we will reward him through praise and by leaving him alone)
Each lesson student will complete engaging activities and games that will improve their position, balance, and communication with the horse. Lessons will be designed to fit each rider’s specific needs, and activities will be designed to target areas where improvement is necessary. Each lesson will build on the last, and students will accomplish a series of steps that will lead to refining a certain skill. Molly will work with each rider and teach her how to draw the best out of her horse and how to work together effectively as a team.
Students are expected to take full care of their horse each lesson including grooming, tacking up, riding, cooling down the horse, un-tacking, putting the horse back in his stall, and cleaning up any mess made while caring for the horse. Molly firmly believes that participating in full care for the horse before and after the lessons helps children build a sense of responsibility and discipline.
English, Western, Jumping, and Showmanship Lessons are available.
Duzan Riding Academy Policies
Payment for each month of lessons is due at the first lesson of the month. If you must cancel, please give 24 hours notice. If you do not give 24 hours notice then you will be required to pay for the lesson. Lessons must be rescheduled in the CALENDAR month. Payments will not carry over into the next month.
Please make checks payable to Duzan Riding Academy.
All students must wear an ASTM/SEI approved riding helmet, hard soled boots, and jeans or jodphurs/breeches. If you do not have a helmet then one will be provided for you.
All participants must sign a waiver.
Lessons are one hour long. If you would like to ride for the whole hour, it is recommended that you show up fifteen minutes early to get your horse ready. For example, if your lesson begins at 5 o’clock, and you show up at 5 o’clock to get your horse ready, then your lesson will still end at 6 o’clock.
Weight Limit is 180 lbs for adult riders so that we can ensure the continued health of our lesson horses.
Cancellation: You will be required to pay the lesson if you cancel with less than 24 hours notice.
There are no refunds. However, lessons can be rescheduled within the calendar month.
Lessons Student Forms
