Ranch Riders – Level 1

Eight Week Program

Originally designed for the Ranch Adventure graduates, but then the moms wanted ride time too!!!
Recommended age 8 +

This is an 8 week series for those who want to concentrate on learning how to become a confident rider in a relaxed and low pressure setting.  Maybe its been a few years since you last rode and you want to knock the rust off and build confidence, or maybe your a complete beginner and need to learn all the ‘things’…this is the first step!

Note: We treat all our horses with respect and kindness, so we only accept those students who understand the importance of the time needed to build a bond with an equine partner, and consequently, those who are willing to be open and honest with themselves as well.  This is why we offer smaller groups and 1.5 hr sessions in order to allow the time needed each session for this process.

The first few weeks we concentrate on the basics, of catching and haltering your horse, and how to lead and maneuver as a team.  We feel its important that you are comfortable on the ground around the horse in order to understand behaviours and how communicate before just jumping on a large animal!   We also pull out a few different saddles and bridles to learn from in order to better understand the importance of equipment fit, how to saddle properly and bridle kindly.

Once its time to mount up we begin learning how to master a walk and a trot as we layer on the technical skills.  We ride in various sized pens, throw in a few obstacle challenges until finally everyone is comfortable enough to ride out on various ranch trails.  Our trail system has various terrain and as we ride along we do real ranch activities such as checking cattle, counting calves, and enjoying various wildlife and nature as we ride over 500 acres.
If we see a fence down, we will stop and fix it.  If we see a cow out, we’ll push it back to the proper pasture.  Repetition gains confidence and we like to do it outside in the fresh air!  Lots of friendships have been built as we help each other open gates and hold horses, change paces as well as views!

 Riding tips and instruction is constantly given in a relaxed, low pressure setting and its so rewarding to celebrate with all the riders at the end when we can all comfortably lope across a pasture!   Love the horse first; the sport second.

Cost: $480 for 8 weeks
Total time :  1.5 hrs

Must have your own helmet, wear long pants, riding/cowboy boots and appropriate layers for the weather. Please note that the latest provincial guidelines for Coronavirus protection protocol will be followed.

NOTE: In addition to sending us a registration please email HorsePlayRanchAdventures@gmail.com to book an evaluation.  

We like to meet with each NEW student, for safety reasons, before to confirming a registration.  We also try to build groups with complimentary age groups.  (wink, wink….mom groups)

HorsePlay is based out of Big Rock Farms, a 120 year old family run ranch just SW of Okotoks.

For more information on location go to the Venue page.