Tall Cedars Farm is pleased to offer group and private lessons for beginner, novice and intermediate riders. Riding is a great recreational sport for children and adults! Learning to ride is much more than just sitting on a horse. Becoming an effective rider involves learning to communicate with a horse by directing his actions in a way he can understand. Learning to ride is fun...learning to ride well takes dedication. Children and adults with a love of horses and any riding ability are welcome. We can also accommodate people with disabilities.
Caring for horses and learning to ride helps children accept responsibility, increase coordination, and build memory skills. Many adults enter this sport, or return to it, because it offers a break from daily stress or is something they have always wanted to do. At Tall Cedars Farm we strive to help our riders achieve a level of competency as a rider. We believe that becoming a good horse person helps increase self-esteem, self-reliance, and confidence.
Group Lessons - Average lesson size is 2-6 students with one instructor. Classes are one hour in length, including 15 minutes for grooming & tacking up and 45 minutes of riding.
Private Lessons - Instructors are available to teach private lessons. A class designed for you is for 45 minutes, which includes 15 minutes for grooming & tacking up and 30 minutes riding.
Our horses are suitable for riders of any age or ability. From gentle horses that can be ridden by the most timid beginning rider to horses that will provide a challenge for the more experienced rider. Prior to riding, students are matched with the appropriate horse for their skill level.
Program Levels
At the beginner level, the program centers around quality instruction in a supportive setting. The focus is on developing the skills and knowledge to stay safe on the horse so that riding can be a fun and exciting experience. As a rider moves up through the novice and intermediate levels, quality instruction that emphasizes on developing new skills and refining skills learned previously is the focus. We believe that for any rider to have fun and be safe on a horse, they need appropriate instruction to provide them with the necessary skills. It is not enough to simply provide them with an opportunity to ride.
Program Pricing
1 Lesson $50
3 Lessons $130
5 Lessons $200
10 Lessons $390
**When you buy a block of five lessons, you are entitled to one excused absence**
**When you buy a block of ten lessons, you are entitled to two excused absences**
Prices are per person. Full payment is due prior to the start of the lesson or block of lessons. Failure to pay for lessons on time will result in the lesson being considered a single lesson purchase plus a late charge of $5.00. If you have a situation that prohibits payment on time, please discuss this personally with your instructor prior to the start of lessons.
Cancellations must be made at least 3 hours in advance or will be subject to the loss of that lesson and fee. Please leave a message on your instructor’s home phone if you have to cancel. The only exception to cancelled lessons that will not count against you will those be due to weather, if Tall Cedars/Galloping Acres cancels or if you have a physician’s order that restricts you from riding.
If you choose not to renew your blocks continuously, there will be a $15.00 per week fee to hold your spot.
Miscellaneous Riding Information
Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled lesson. This will allow you plenty of time to groom and tack up your horse. Always be in the ring, mounted and ready for instruction at your scheduled time. If you are not in the ring on time, your lesson will start without you. Only students taking lessons should be in the immediate barn area. Parents, siblings, and/or friends should remain out in the parking/observation area. Parents with young and novice children may assist their children with grooming and tacking up provided you have received permission from a Tall Cedars Farm Representative and have signed a liability waiver prior to entering the stable or ring area.
Prior to your lesson, clean up after yourself. This includes hoof pickings, grooming debris and manure, etc. Do this before you ride, so someone else does not have to work in and around your mess.
After your lesson, you are responsible to clean and put your tack away in the proper place. All trash and manure should be picked up in the barn and ring areas.
If the temperature is above 96 degrees or below 34 degrees; or if it is raining, riding lessons will be cancelled. Cancellations may vary depending on wind chill and humidity. If in doubt about weather conditions, please call us.
ASTM/SEI Approved safety helmets are required for all riders. All students are required to wear the helmet at all times when mounted. Other riding apparel is listed on the Safety page.
NO ONE IS ALLOWED AT ANY TIME in the stable, paddock or ring area with any type of open shoes (i.e., sandals, flip flops or bare feet).
Please review our “Safety Rules and Regulations” on the Safety page.