Riding Lessons

Riders of all levels are welcome at Classical Horsemanship. Whatever your previous experience with riding lessons or different disciplines, we’ll be happy to work with you.

Focus: Partnership with the Horse

In the riding instruction offered by Classical Horsemanship, the rider learns how to ride the horse and at the same time how to train the horse. There is a language that both horse and rider must understand. When you and your horse participate in our riding instruction, you learn how to communicate with each other–an essential skill for successful riding.

Both English and Western riders of all skill levels are welcome. Classical horsemanship is about building a better partnership with the horse, which benefits both the horse and rider in any riding style.

Fundamental: Seat Work

Every riding student begins with seat lessons designed to help the student discover his or her center of balance. This initial seat work establishes a base for communicating with the horse.

Once riders find that center of balance without stirrups or reins, they will find it easier to give the horse clear aids without having to grab or hold to stay on the animal.

The Aids of Classical Riding

Once the seat work is in place, the classical aids are taught. These aids are the ABCs of classical horsemanship. With them, you learn how to direct the weight and thrust of the horse. When you’re able to control the weight and thrust of the horse, you can ask the horse for any movement at any speed.

There are a few simple basic aids, which allow the rider to control the horse’s weight on all four feet and communicate to the horse to stop, go, turn clockwise and turn counter-clockwise.

When you’re proficient with the basic aids of classical horsemanship, you may refine and expand your riding competency by learning the secondary aids. At each stage of instruction, you’ll build on what you learned earlier and grow your horsemanship skills as well as your communication with your horse.

How Many Lessons Will I Need?

The time it takes to learn the basic classical aids varies from rider to rider. Some riders can learn all the basic aids and have good touch quickly. Other riders may need weeks or months to develop their skill and tact with the basic aids.

One rider is not better than the other. Just like the horses, all riders are individuals with their own interesting blocks to be sorted out through the work.

Riding Lesson Packages

Try us out with a single lesson, or purchase packs of riding lessons. When you buy a lesson pack, the lessons must be used within 6 weeks.

Working With an Assistant Instructor:
4-pack of riding lessons (once a week): $280 ($70 per lesson)
8-pack of riding lessons (bi-weekly or more): $520 ($65 per lesson)

ALL PRIVATE CHILDREN LESSONS $55!

(Children are considered 13 and under)

Working With Megan Sorentino:

4-pack of riding lessons (once a week): $320 ($80 per lesson)
8-pack of riding lessons (bi-weekly or more): $600 ($75 per lesson)

Single riding lesson: $90

Learn with Your Horse or Our Horses

If you have your own horse, we will travel to your barn for riding instruction. Mileage fees may apply. We also have three lovely school horses available for lessons at our barn, Fancy, Pups and Sonny. Learn more about our horses at Meet your Equine Teachers .

Located in the Fort Collins Area

We teach and train out of our barn, Falcon’s Landing, in Northwest Fort Collins, Colorado.