About The Program

Riding Lessons

What Will Participants Learn

  • Horse Sense - Rules and Reasons. 
  • Safety on and off the horse.
  • Understanding horse behavior. 
  • Horse anatomy. 
  • Horse colors, markings and breeds.
  • Horsemanship skills.
  • Care and handling of the horse. 
  • How to approach and release a horse.
  • Grooming and ground work.
  • Parts and function of tack. 
  • Communication with natural aids. 
  • Barn and ring etiquette.
  • Lunging a horse.
  • Working with horse at liberty. 
  • Mount and dismount. 
  • Posture and balance.
  • Diagonals and leads.
  • Riding solo or with a group. 
  • Horse gaits.  
  • Managing smooth transitions.
  • Schooling figures.
  • Refining aids.
  • Gymkana.
  • Trail Obstacles.
  • English vs. Western Disciplines.
  • How to tack and untack a horse with saddle and bridle.
  • LeCheval Stable is a 501 c 3 non profit, licensed and insured facility. We provide an inclusive opportunity for individuals to explore the total equestrian experience. Riders ages 5 to adult learn basic standards and horsemanship skills necessary for safe riding.

    Lessons are geared to the strengths and needs of the rider after an initial riding evaluation. During first phase lessons, riders will gain an understanding of overall safety and barn rules. They will actively participate in grooming, (un)tacking the horse, leading the horse, and working on the lunge line at a walk and trot. They will learn how to steer a straight, curved and zig zag line at the walk. Balancing at the walk and trot and beginning to post at the trot will ready riders for advancing skills.

    As riders progress, they will move through levels commensurate with their demonstrated ability. The team will work with each rider to provide support, positive feedback and modify instruction as deemed necessary. Riding the horse using upward transitions (halt to walk to trot to canter) and downward transitions (canter to trot to walk to halt) will be a major focus for advanced beginners and early intermediate riders.

    LeCheval Stable provides a working student program and hands on training for responsible individuals who may want to volunteer as sidewalkers, leaders, acquire barn management skills or gain a deeper understanding of how horses can enrich the lives of others. Volunteers must be at least 14 and shadow with a seasoned volunteer and staff member. Middle and high school students can submit for service learning hours demonstrating following safety protocol.

    Schedule 2024

    REMEMBER TO UPDATE ALL WAIVER FORMS before the start of your first session. Lessons rescheduled when weather is inclement – Heavy rain, thunderstorms, sleet, snow

    Lessons will be scheduled weekday morning, later afternoon and early evening. Private and semi-private formats are offered for lessons. Helmets are provided or riders may bring their own as long as the helmet is current and SEI / ASTM approved. Paddock boots or tall boots are safe footwear to wear with long pants. Gloves are optional. Please dress in layers for temperature changes in weather.

    If you must cancel your lesson due to illness or emergency, please give 24 hours notice. Riders who miss more than 2 unscheduled lessons without notice, will forfeit their riding slot. We are following the CDC and state of Maryland Guidelines as they are provided since the inception of the pandemic. We thank all for their adherence to these guidelines now and in the future.

    Services

    • Private Lesson $85.00 USD
    • Semi Private Lesson $70.00 USD

    L.I.S.S (Low Intensity Support Services) Self-directed adult service fees accepted

    Ready to learn how to ride?

    Get in touch with us