Lessons

Horse riding instruction is strongly recommended for riders of all experience levels. Beginners will focus on the fundamentals of horse riding. Intermediate riders will explore principles for riding at a more paced gait, and the further development of riding skills. For the advanced rider, loping instruction is a refresher course enabling the rider to enjoy his/her rides at The Ranch to the fullest.

Basic Lesson – Provides the hands-on horse work skills needed for beginning horseback riding. Your horseback riding instructor will teach fundamentals which include: proper mounting and dismounting, correct posture while in the saddle, turning and stopping your horse, and walking in a safe manner. This lesson prepares the rider to enjoy the walk rides with the knowledge of basic horsemanship.

Horsemanship "Fun"damentals - This lesson builds on the horse riding skills learned in the Basic Lesson, and will help you develop confidence through balance and a safe "seat". This lesson expands on reining, movement, and overall control of a horse at a walk or trot. We strongly recommend that you complete this lesson before you saddle up for Intermediate Horsemanship.

Intermediate Horsemanship - Learn to guide your horse around barrels and cones at a walk, at a trot, and at a lope. Typically, this class starts with a review of Western-style reining. It quickly moves into controlling your horse in a synchronized fashion with the other classmates and instructor, and finally progresses into independent control where riders can break from the group and canter the corral. Wranglers provide feedback to correct any inconsistencies in style as well as to assist with posture and control.

This class will expand on reining and control of the horse through all gaits. And, when you are ready, provides access to all of the tools needed to pass your lope check. Participation in this class is at your discretion—riders are assisted in riding at their comfort level; at all times, your horseback riding instructor retains complete control of the class and ensures a safe and enjoyable Dude ranch riding lessons experience for all.

Lope Lesson/Check - The highest level of horsemanship class offered at Tanque Verde Ranch, the purpose of this horse riding lesson is to check rider safety for lope rides. It is expected that riders be at an advanced level of horsemanship or have completed Horsemanship "Fun"damentals and Intermediate Horsemanship prior to taking this lesson. Riders will be monitored for their ability to safely ride at a lope. Passing this lesson/check is a requirement to participate in a lope ride. Safety and control are of the utmost value. In this lesson, riders will be asked to ride at a lope with little or no prompting. Individual assessments will be offered as needed to assist the rider in making appropriate adjustments in order to pass the lope check and participate safely on our loping Sonoran trail rides.