Riding Lessons for All Ages and Levels of Experience
Whether your brand new to horses or an experienced rider looking to define a horsemanship skillset, Riverwood Ranch runs a comprehensive riding lesson program for all of your equine needs. Riders of all ages and experiences are welcome to contact the ranch to find an individually tailored lesson program that will help riders reach their goals. Both private and group lesson are available with options to either rent a lesson horse or bring your own to our facility. Lesson topics range from beginner horsemanship to discipline specific topics such as ranch trail, groundwork fundamentals, cattle sorting and husbandry to gymkhana events. We have also taught specific lessons in terms of desensitization training for the Canadian Cowboy Obstacle course as well as teaching colt starting fundamentals or helping riders solve behavioral problems. Please contact the ranch to discuss scheduling and lesson goals.
What Makes our Lesson Program Different?
- Tailored lesson plans to help you reach your equine goals
- Welcoming staff and instructors with educational backgrounds- Alberta Professional Permeant Teaching Certification
- Ability to schedule lessons weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or on a case by case basis
- Lessons horses for all levels of experience (Both for green and experienced riding levels)
- Access to onsite 80×200 indoor arena as well as 3000 acres worth of trail/river crossings and onsite obstacle courses.
Program Details
Our program is not a traditional program, we simply build your journey based around your goals, timing and availability. We supply the option for guests to either rent one of our horses or bring their own horses for lessons. We charge $55/hr +gst per person for assessments and private lessons and $45/hr per group lessons. Lessons can be organized as often or as little as you like. Some riders ride once or twice a week whereas other riders may ride once or twice a month. It’s entirely up to you! To begin with we start individually with all of our students so we can get to know you and your individual goals. Once we get to know you and your goals we can look at arranging group sessions. Initial assessments may be organized in the form of a group orientation. To begin with all students will be subject to ground work, horse safety, tacking and rider assessments.
We teach lessons six days a week from 8am-10pm.
(No Lessons on Mondays except for one Monday is usually taught in lieu of taking one Friday off a month)
We do have a ONE WEEK CANCELLATION POLICY or we do charge out missed lessons at FULL RATE. If students are sick, they are instructed to contact the ranch to schedule a “make up lesson” within the Month, or else we do charge out the missed lesson on that month’s invoice. Weather cancellations will be under the discretion of Riverwood Ranch staff. Under general circumstances, horse lessons will be rescheduled under conditions colder than -28. (theory lessons may be scheduled instead). Ranch weather decisions will be made the night prior, if not the morning of as soon as weather conditions can be made available. This decision lies solely in the hands of Riverwood Ranch Staff.
Students are expected to dress in layers (the arena/outside trail can be chilly) and bring an appropriate set of riding boots. (Something closed toed with a heel. Flat sole shoes will not be permitted.) Riding gloves are an asset. All students under 18 years of age are mandated to wear a helmet. Riverwood does have a variety of helmets available to borrow or students are allowed to bring their own equestrian helmet. Students over 18 years of age have the option of wearing a helmet.
Upon booking, please supply the ranch the following information to be placed on our contact list and we will reach out when we have availability
– Your full name
– Your Phone Number
– Your email
– Your mailing address
– Emergency Contact for Rider: Name and number
– Any dietary or medical concerns we should know about for rider
– Age, Height, Weight and past riding level experience of student for Horse pairing purposes
