Introductory Courses

Our introductory courses are designed with complete beginners—or riders with no formal riding experience—in mind, and are geared towards preparing them to join our regular lesson program. Throughout the course, students will learn a great deal about riding and horsemanship, including:

- How to safely handle and move around horses
- How and why we groom a horse before and after riding
- How to tack up a horse (put on its saddle and bridle)
- Names of the important parts of the tack and how we adjust them before riding
- How to safely mount a horse
- How we communicate with a horse while riding
- Proper position while riding at the walk and trot
- Steering
- How to safely ride around the arena in a group

… and more!

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Format

Courses run for eight weeks (unless specified otherwise), and registration is limited to only five students. Each weekly class begins with a half-hour instruction of horsemanship and preparation for the lesson, followed by a 50-minute lesson in riding and riding theory.

Please note that riders will not ride for the full 50 minutes from the start of the course; that is the goal to reach toward the end of the course. During the first few lessons, riders will take turns getting private instruction on a longe line, where the instructor has control of the horse and the rider can concentrate on his position. In later weeks, the lesson will progress to a semi-private format, and eventually to a group format, with each rider mounted for the duration of the lesson.

Requirements

Students must be a minimum of eight (8) years of age in order to participate in any riding program, including lessons, introductory courses, and camps.

Students must equip themselves with an ASTM safety-approved helmet; long, close-fitting pants that won’t rub or chafe; and boots with a flat sole and a low heel. All riders under eighteen (18) years of age must also wear a safety vest while riding. With the exception of the vests, the Riding Academy does not lend, rent or sell any riding equipment or apparel.

Schedule & Dates

Rates & Registration

The cost of each eight-week course is $600 (+tax). A 50% deposit is required to reserve a spot in the course, and the balance is due on the first day. Payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard, debit card or cheque.

To reserve your spot, please call our office at 416-599-4044.

Registration is limited to five students in each course; all others will be put on a waiting list. Registration forms must be submitted by the start of the course. These may be downloaded below, or filled in at our office.

Please note that cancellations made less than fifteen (15) days before the start date are subject to a non-refundable $70 administration fee.

The following application is available in PDF format to print, fill-out and submit:    Children’s Introductory Course Registration Form and Waiver .pdf