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CHA Horsemanship Lessons

Misty River Equestrian Center Stables offers group as well as private Horsemanship Lessons at 4 different levels. Misty River strives to teach qualified, sound, basic horsemanship principles with a strong emphasis on safety, and also fun! A written and riding “proving” of learned skills will be required before advancing to the next level. All of our horsemanship lessons and instructors are CHA approved. Horses and tack are provided for all lessons. All lessons are one hour long.



“Showdeos” are held periodically at Misty River. They are geared for the low-stress enjoyment of the student, and as a means to present accumulated horsemanship skills.

Some Of The Things You Will Learn!

Safety Skills Jumping Trail Riding Gaits Saddling

Grooming Bareback Riding Behavior Equine Nutrition Horse Control

Class Level Descriptions
Misty River Equestrian Center Stables offers group as well as private Horsemanship Lessons at the following 4 levels.

Level 1
This is the beginning Level for our students. This class teaches the student: horse sense, rules for safe riding, parts of the horse and tack, approaching, leading, grooming, saddling and bridling your horse, mounting and dismounting, basic seat and hand positions, basic aids and horse control, circles and reverses, beginning the trot, exercises on horseback, elementary trail riding.

Level 2
This level requires that the student has completed Level 1 above. The studies taught include: horse coloring and markings, the basic gaits of the horse, horse terms, balance of horse and rider, adjusting the stirrups, posting on the correct diagonal, learning to canter or lope, western patterns and obstacles, introduction to jumping and intermediate trail riding.

Level 3
This level requires that the student has completed Level 2 above. The studies taught include: equipment, bits and bitting, horse care, breeds, type or rein aids, leg, seat and voice aids, ways of using reins, improving your seat in the trot and canter, riding bareback, correct leads, transitions and backing, schooling figures in the ring, western turn backs on the rail, beginning jumping, trail riding, The class also includes an introduction to harnessing and driving.

Level 4
This level requires that the student has completed level 3 above. The studies taught include: horse behavior, horse psychology, horse care, soundness, conformation, parasites, first aid, movement, blemishes, types of balance, advanced aids, turn on the forehand, side pass, bending and suppling, stops from the lope, pivots, lead changes, roll patterns, flexion and bending, half halts, lengthening/shortening strides, leg yields, advanced jumping and trail riding. The course is based on three major U.S./International trainers’ methods and theories.

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"Pony Pals" Preschool Ponyship Course - Half-hour lesson $25

Pony Pals got it's birth from parents who have shown a desire to begin teaching their children early in life, that they can be safe and have fun on a pony.

On the first lesson, a tour of the barn will be given, as well as an explanation and practice of the following, first and second rules:

1.) Walk slow and talk low


2.) Horses are scaredy cats

A talk will follow about how very important it is to wear a helmet every time, every ride. After the rules, meet a real live pony and learn how to walk around it safely.

Simple and basic steps will be in the following course Pony Pals structure:

• Safety Concerns
• Barn Orientation
• Grooming and tacking
• Positioning in the saddle
• Riding on a lead line, at a walk
• Simple exercises on pony-back
• Plus more!

The Reins of Life……..
I saw a child who couldn't walk,
sit on a horse and laugh and talk….
I saw a child who could only crawl,
mount a horse and sit up tall……
I saw a child born into strife,
take up and hold the reins of life…..
And that same child was heard to say,
"Thank you God for showing me the way."

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