What to expect on your first day at the barn.
Coming to a barn for the first time is a lot to take in. Here's what you'll want to know so you show up ready.
- What to wear
- Long pants — jeans or breeches. Closed-toe shoes with a small heel (paddock or western boots are ideal). A fitted top and layers for the season.
- Helmets
- An ASTM/SEI-certified riding helmet is required whenever you're mounted. We have loaners for first lessons.
- When to arrive
- Come 10 to 15 minutes early. You'll help catch and groom your horse before you ride.
- What a first lesson looks like
- Meeting your horse, learning to lead and brush and tack, then time in the arena at the walk. Nobody gets rushed.
- Watching
- You're welcome to watch. We just ask that phones stay quiet and voices stay low around the horses.
- Weather
- We ride year round. If it's raining hard, snowing, icy, below 25°F or above 100°F, we may cancel — you'll hear from us by phone or text.
More than riding
Kids who ride here learn to be patient with an animal that doesn't speak their language, to notice small things about how a horse is feeling, and to take real responsibility for another creature's comfort. That's most of what we hope they take home.
Schedule a first lesson