Under the careful guidance of our head trainer, Coach Maddie, all students will learn how to practice safety around horses and begin building lifelong skills in horse handling, horse care and management, and horse riding techniques. We believe it is incredibly important for our riders to develop a firm foundation in Natural Horsemanship principles and to exercise compassion, both on the ground and in the saddle. As students progress through the program, we will address topics such as equine behavior, psychology, biomechanics, and training techniques. This will also include students spending time in the barn to master the practical skills of horse care and management that are necessary to both riders and horse owners, such as tack management, taking equine vital signs, and horse injury management.
This program is designed to create horse-men and -women who have a well-rounded understanding of the horse and what is involved in their care and ownership. We firmly believe that a good equestrian education involves all aspects of the horse's life, not just the time you spend in the saddle. Want to try it for yourself? Contact Coach Maddie to schedule some lessons!
All riders must be appropriately dressed for riding with long pants and closed-toe shoes (proper riding boots are required for more experienced riders who plan to ride without a leadline/handler). For those who are new to riding, we have ASTM-certified riding helmets that you can borrow during your first month (after that, students must bring their own certified helmet). All riders must fill out and sign a welcome packet before the first lesson begins. You can download the forms from our 'All Forms / Paperwork' section and bring them with you, or we have paper copies available at the barn upon request.
This program is designed to create horse-men and -women who have a well-rounded understanding of the horse and what is involved in their care and ownership. We firmly believe that a good equestrian education involves all aspects of the horse's life, not just the time you spend in the saddle. Want to try it for yourself? Contact Coach Maddie to schedule some lessons!
All riders must be appropriately dressed for riding with long pants and closed-toe shoes (proper riding boots are required for more experienced riders who plan to ride without a leadline/handler). For those who are new to riding, we have ASTM-certified riding helmets that you can borrow during your first month (after that, students must bring their own certified helmet). All riders must fill out and sign a welcome packet before the first lesson begins. You can download the forms from our 'All Forms / Paperwork' section and bring them with you, or we have paper copies available at the barn upon request.
Riding Lesson Options
Currently we are offering private lessons to all ages and levels, and offering semi-private lessons to regular riders (age 7 & up) who are at a 'Novice' skill level or above. Price is reflective of the lesson type and rider type. Lesson payments are only permitted to be made through a Quickbooks invoice (emailed to the client and paid online) or through a credit card on the client's secure file (which must be set up in-person at the barn).
Most of our students are Permanent Lesson Spot holders who ride at the same day/time each week, typically on the same horse. 'Permanent' students can pay for their lessons on a 'Paid-In-Full' option due by the 1st of each month, or on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' option due at least 24-hours before their next lesson. Our most popular option, the 'Paid-In-Full' plan is designed for the 4-lesson month; any month where there are 'extra' potential lesson days will have one of those 'extra' lesson days taken off of the schedule by the Instructor with no re-scheduling necessary (i.e. In a five-week month, you will get the four lessons that you are paying for).
'Permanent' lesson students are permitted to re-schedule up to one lesson a month that is a 'Cancel Ahead' (notice given 24-hours or more in advance) to occur during the current or following month only. Client cancellations do not warrant missed payments, and do not replace any future lessons in the student's permanent lesson spot. All lesson packages have at least one built-in "In Barn" lesson for instances of inclement weather/equine complications that is not available for re-scheduling.
Lessons can also be purchased for students on a One-Time "Floater" basis, which is ideal for new students trying out our program, or for those with schedules too busy to commit to a consistent lesson spot. Just check in with Coach Maddie ahead of time to see what lesson days/times are available for One-Time lessons!
WHEN SIGNING UP FOR LESSONS please be sure to check out our Forms & Paperwork page for all necessary documents AND riding attire requirements - those who show up for lessons in improper attire will have a lesson that does not include riding.
Most of our students are Permanent Lesson Spot holders who ride at the same day/time each week, typically on the same horse. 'Permanent' students can pay for their lessons on a 'Paid-In-Full' option due by the 1st of each month, or on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' option due at least 24-hours before their next lesson. Our most popular option, the 'Paid-In-Full' plan is designed for the 4-lesson month; any month where there are 'extra' potential lesson days will have one of those 'extra' lesson days taken off of the schedule by the Instructor with no re-scheduling necessary (i.e. In a five-week month, you will get the four lessons that you are paying for).
'Permanent' lesson students are permitted to re-schedule up to one lesson a month that is a 'Cancel Ahead' (notice given 24-hours or more in advance) to occur during the current or following month only. Client cancellations do not warrant missed payments, and do not replace any future lessons in the student's permanent lesson spot. All lesson packages have at least one built-in "In Barn" lesson for instances of inclement weather/equine complications that is not available for re-scheduling.
Lessons can also be purchased for students on a One-Time "Floater" basis, which is ideal for new students trying out our program, or for those with schedules too busy to commit to a consistent lesson spot. Just check in with Coach Maddie ahead of time to see what lesson days/times are available for One-Time lessons!
WHEN SIGNING UP FOR LESSONS please be sure to check out our Forms & Paperwork page for all necessary documents AND riding attire requirements - those who show up for lessons in improper attire will have a lesson that does not include riding.
Tiny Tots (beginners ages 6 & under):
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For any child age 6 and under, the Tiny Tots program is designed for those who have very little experience working with horses – or none at all! Lessons can be 30 minutes or up to 1 hour long and include grooming, horse handling, tacking up, and some riding. Our 30-minute lessons are intended only for especially young children (age 2-4) who are new to horses and may not yet have the stamina or concentration necessary for a longer lesson time, while our 1 hour lessons are intended for building their skills and slowly become more independent working with the horses.
Tiny Tots should be able to reasonably follow directions and physically support their own body. We encourage parents to watch lessons but ask that you please allow your child to fully focus on the instructor and horse. Tiny Tots in Permanent (every week) Lesson Spots 30-Minute Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $55/lesson 30-Minute Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $200/month 1-Hour Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $80/lesson 1-Hour Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $300/month Tiny Tots in 'One-Time' Lessons 30-Minute "Floater" Lesson: $55/lesson 1-Hour "Floater" Lesson: $80/lesson |
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Welcome Lessons (ages 7 & up):
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For riders of any age, children to adults, who have little to no experience working independently with horses. These lessons are to teach students the absolute basics of horsemanship with limited riding. Lessons are one hour in length and include catching / leading horses, grooming, tacking up, and some riding basics. These lessons are meant to be a short-term stepping-stone to help students build a solid foundation in horsemanship and prepare them for our "Regular Rider" lessons. As such, these lessons are not eligible for the Monthly Paid-In-Full lesson package option.
(Note: You MUST have solid, safe, and correct skills before being permitted to advance beyond 'Welcome Lessons' and into our 'Regular Rider' program. Those who are new to our barn that wish to join our 'Regular Riders' MUST first attend a 'Welcome Lesson' to assess if horsemanship skills are solid, safe, and correct!) For students in both 'Permanent' and 'One-Time' lessons: 1-Hour Welcome Lessons: $80/lesson |
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Regular Riders (ages 7 & up) Private Lessons:
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For any riders of any age (children to adults) who already have solid horsemanship skills and have any level of experience riding horses (from a little to a lot!). Regular lessons are offered for a half-hour or one-hour lesson length. All regular riders are expected to arrive 30-45 minutes prior to the start of their lesson to catch, groom, and tack up their horse and are expected to stay after the lesson as long as necessary to take care of their horse and tack. Regular students who do not complete these tasks to the degree and quality required by the instructor will find time being used within the lesson to teach and correct these problems until they no longer occur, or may be asked to take supplementary horsemanship lessons on these skills. Please be honest about your ability to prepare for a lesson and work with a horse unsupervised, as well as your riding ability!
(Note: Those who are new to our barn that wish to join our 'Regular Riders' MUST first attend a 'Welcome Lesson' to assess if horsemanship skills are solid, safe, and correct!) |
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THIS IS A RIDING CLASS - Please come properly dressed to ride! Those who arrive in attire unfit for safe riding will have an "In Barn" lesson day with no riding and will not have the option to re-schedule that lesson.
Regular Riders in Permanent (every week) Lesson Spots
30-Minute Private Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $70/lesson
30-Minute Private Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $260/month
1-Hour Private Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $125/lesson
1-Hour Private Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $480/month
Regular Riders in 'One-Time' Lessons
30-Minute Private "Floater" Lesson: $70/lesson
1-Hour Private "Floater" Lesson: $125/lesson
Regular Riders in Permanent (every week) Lesson Spots
30-Minute Private Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $70/lesson
30-Minute Private Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $260/month
1-Hour Private Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $125/lesson
1-Hour Private Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $480/month
Regular Riders in 'One-Time' Lessons
30-Minute Private "Floater" Lesson: $70/lesson
1-Hour Private "Floater" Lesson: $125/lesson
Regular Riders (ages 7 & up) Semi-Private Lessons:
Available to riders who are at the 'Novice' level or above. Lessons are one hour in length and shared between two students. Students in semi-private lessons do not have to be at the same skill level as their lesson partner, but must be able to handle and prep their horse independently for lessons and must be able to safely stop, steer, and manage their lesson horse in the arena so as not to be a danger to the other rider. (Note: Those who are new to our barn that wish to join our 'Regular Riders' MUST first attend a 'Welcome Lesson' to assess if horsemanship skills are solid, safe, and correct! Those wishing to join our Semi-Private Lessons will be expected to display excellent and timely skills in catching/leading, grooming, and tacking up to allow for time in the 'Welcome Lesson' to also display their current riding skills)
If one student in a semi-private lesson cancels, the other rider will automatically have a lesson length of thirty minutes (unless they wish to upgrade their lesson that day to an hour-long Private Lesson and pay the price difference). Re-scheduled lessons will either occur as an hour-long semi-private lesson with another student, or as a thirty minute private lesson.
Any 'Regular Rider' students who are enrolled in a Permanent Lesson Spot (and are at the 'Novice' skill level or higher) may take advantage of the 'Semi-Private Lesson Special', where the student can enroll in a second weekly lesson at a discount (reflected below). This special is only available to Permanent students, to be used to attain a second permanent spot per week (for the same rider only!), with the intention of giving that student more frequent riding opportunities and a stronger chance to advance up the levels. We want to see our students succeed in their riding goals, and (like most other sports) that can include practicing multiple times each week!
Regular Riders in Permanent (every week) Lesson Spots
1-Hour Semi-Private Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $70/lesson
Second 1-Hour Semi-Private Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $60/lesson
1-Hour Semi-Private Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $260/month
Second 1-Hour Semi-Private Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $220/month
Regular Riders in 'One-Time' Lessons
1-Hour Semi-Private "Floater" Lesson: $70/lesson
If one student in a semi-private lesson cancels, the other rider will automatically have a lesson length of thirty minutes (unless they wish to upgrade their lesson that day to an hour-long Private Lesson and pay the price difference). Re-scheduled lessons will either occur as an hour-long semi-private lesson with another student, or as a thirty minute private lesson.
Any 'Regular Rider' students who are enrolled in a Permanent Lesson Spot (and are at the 'Novice' skill level or higher) may take advantage of the 'Semi-Private Lesson Special', where the student can enroll in a second weekly lesson at a discount (reflected below). This special is only available to Permanent students, to be used to attain a second permanent spot per week (for the same rider only!), with the intention of giving that student more frequent riding opportunities and a stronger chance to advance up the levels. We want to see our students succeed in their riding goals, and (like most other sports) that can include practicing multiple times each week!
Regular Riders in Permanent (every week) Lesson Spots
1-Hour Semi-Private Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $70/lesson
Second 1-Hour Semi-Private Lessons (on a 'Pay-As-You-Go' plan): $60/lesson
1-Hour Semi-Private Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $260/month
Second 1-Hour Semi-Private Lessons (on a 'Paid-In-Full' plan): $220/month
Regular Riders in 'One-Time' Lessons
1-Hour Semi-Private "Floater" Lesson: $70/lesson
Riding Lesson Level System
All students in the Happy Hiccups Equestrian LLC Riding Program will be regularly evaluated to ensure that they are placed in the proper class and difficulty level. In order to progress to the next level, the student must demonstrate that they are able to complete all of the current level’s objectives (small tests meant to demonstrate a specific skill). If a student is missing a skill or does not competently display a skill from lower/previous levels, that student’s lessons will focus on those missing skills until they are caught up. A rider who is currently missing a previous skill cannot progress to the next level (and therefore will not be permitted to work on more advanced skills until the basics/pre-requisites are completed).
Riders who are new to the program or returning after a long absence will be evaluated on their first lesson and will have their class and difficulty level assigned after that. For the safety of both riders and horses, we ask that you please be as honest as possible when describing your previous experience and what you are familiar with and competent doing with a horse. The evaluation is meant to give us a safe starting point for your lessons – it is not designed to limit your riding or what you can and will learn! Here we have provided some samples of our Riding Lesson Skill Charts. To view all of our current skill charts, please visit our All Forms / Paperwork page and scroll to the bottom of the page!
Riders who are new to the program or returning after a long absence will be evaluated on their first lesson and will have their class and difficulty level assigned after that. For the safety of both riders and horses, we ask that you please be as honest as possible when describing your previous experience and what you are familiar with and competent doing with a horse. The evaluation is meant to give us a safe starting point for your lessons – it is not designed to limit your riding or what you can and will learn! Here we have provided some samples of our Riding Lesson Skill Charts. To view all of our current skill charts, please visit our All Forms / Paperwork page and scroll to the bottom of the page!
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Current Riding Lesson Schedule
The schedule listed below will ONLY contain our Permanent Lesson Spots for those who are taking consistent (weekly) lessons. Lesson spots that are 'Available' for a new Permanent student are projected as available within the next 30 days or less but may be temporarily filled until then with make-up lessons from other students. Please reach out to Coach Maddie with any scheduling questions!
Current Permanent Lesson Schedule
MONDAY |
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No Lessons (Training / Barn Management Day)
TUESDAY |
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1:00 p.m. Open Now - One Hour Private or Semi-Private Lesson, Any Age/Level
2:00 p.m. Full
3:00 p.m. Full
4:00 p.m. Open Now - One Hour Private Lesson, Students 80 lbs. or less only
5:00 p.m. Full
6:00 p.m. Full
7:00 p.m. Full
WEDNESDAY |
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1:00 p.m. Open Now - One Hour Private or Semi-Private Lesson, Any Age/Level
2:00 p.m. Open Now - One Hour Private or Semi-Private Lesson, Any Age/Level
3:00 p.m. Full
4:00 p.m. Full
5:00 p.m. Full
6:00 p.m. Open Now - 30 Minute Private Lesson, Walk/Trot Level & Up
6:30 p.m. Full
7:00 p.m. Full
THURSDAY - No Lessons (Barn Always Closed)
FRIDAY
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1:00 p.m. Full
2:00 p.m. Full
3:00 p.m. Open Now - One Hour Private Lesson, Any Age/Level
4:00 p.m. Full
5:00 p.m. Full
6:00 p.m. Full
7:00 p.m. Full
2:00 p.m. Full
3:00 p.m. Open Now - One Hour Private Lesson, Any Age/Level
4:00 p.m. Full
5:00 p.m. Full
6:00 p.m. Full
7:00 p.m. Full
SATURDAY |
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12:00 p.m. Full
1:00 p.m. Full
2:00 p.m. Full
3:00 p.m. Full
3:30 p.m. Open Now - 30 Minute Private Lesson, Any Age/Level
4:00 p.m. Full
5:00 p.m. Full
5:30 p.m. Full
SUNDAY |
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