A high quality equestrian program suited to your needs
Riding Lessons at Ashwood Farm
Students listen and ask questions before performing a new skill
What is required to take my first lesson? If you don't have your own horse, we provide one for you to ride. You do not have to have your own horse to learn to ride, but if you are like us, you will soon be wanting your own!
What you will need are the following: 1) well fitted jeans, long pants, or better yet, riding pants 2) boots with a low heel(no sandals or tennis shoes) 3) we require anyone with long hair to ride with a hairnet under their helmet or their hair in braids.
We provide a helmet for your first few lessons. After that, it is best for you to purchase your own helmet as well as chaps or half chaps and paddock boots.
A young rider appropriately dressed for a first lesson: well fitted jeans and shirt, helmet borrowed from the barn, boots
An accomplished young rider dressed for success in her lesson: ASTM approved helmet, practice gloves, fitted and zipped jacket, riding breeches, half chaps, paddock shoes, all clean with hair neatly contained in a hairnet
Beginners, seeing their first horse in person, to advanced riders competing at national competitions
People who ride our horses and people who own their own horses
Ashwood Farm Levels Program
We teach our students according to a logical plan of progression. In order to help clearly show students where they are going, we have developed a Riding Levels program through which each student progresses.
We teach hunt seat style riding in two lesson formats.
Private lessons are one student with one instructor and one horse/pony partner for 45 minutes to one hour. At your first lessons, handling the horse, grooming and tacking up(putting saddle/bridle on the horse) are taught. Then, once you are comfortable and we know you can do it, we ask you to come about 30-45 minutes before your lesson and get your horse or pony, groom it, and tack it up. Young children will need adult assistance with this procedure. Then, you can be in the arena at the scheduled time of your lesson and ride for about an hour before untacking and grooming your horse again.
Semi Private lessons are basically the same as private lessons except two or three students of about the same riding level and two or three horses participate. Beginning students must take private lessons first as safety is our number one priority. We want to make sure everyone in a semi-private lesson has good skills to manage a well trained horse.
How much do horseback riding lessons cost?
Private lessons are $45 each.
Beginner's Package: intended for new beginning students to have a chance to buy their first five lessons at a bargain price to allow them to really decide if they love riding and want to continue or not. $165 for 5 lessons
Lessons must be paid in advance by paying for your lesson by check or cash before the lesson begins.
We do accept credit cards as riding lesson payment, but these payments must be made online before your lesson or you will be expected to have a cash or check payment ready before your lesson. You may pay through paypal below for any of our lesson options.
When do I take a lesson at Ashwood Farm?
Lessons are held Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and some Saturdays.. You pick a day and time that works for you, and we keep that lesson time week after week. If you need to cancel a lesson, you must cancel 24 hours in advance in order to avoid charges.
Lessons are not held if the temperature goes below 40 degrees or if it is precipitating or if lightening is in the vicinity.
We suggest you take a minimum of one lesson/week, and we encourage two lessons/week for maximum progress.
You may come and practice on the lesson horses after your instructor has given you permission. Ask your instructor for more details about practice riding.
What about weather? If it is precipitating, if there is lightening in the area, if there is extreme wind or if the temperature is below 40 degrees, we reschedule lessons.
For more information on lessons or to schedule one, click here to email us or call us at 785-341-1789
Yoga for Equestrians - excellent for adult riders returning to riding after time off
Horse Care for Kids by Cherry Hill
Horse Illustrated's Guide to Caring for Your Horse by Lesley Ward
The Complete Horse Care Manual by Colin Vogel
George Morris Teaches Beginners to Ride by George Morris
Hunter Seat Equitation by George Morris (advanced reading level)
United State Pony Club Manuals Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced levels
Equestrian sports differ from once a week activities. To become a horseman, you must emerse yourself in horses and love the horse with all of your heart. ALL CONTENT COPYRIGHT ASHWOOD FARM, LLC 2011
