| New! See the wonderful Forward to a limited addition Horsemanship book that we published on our website by special permission by the author. His teachings follow along with the philosophies of M-Bar-K Farms. An Analysis of Horsemanship |
Lessons are customized to the clients needs and wants. Here are some examples of what is taught in our courses and lessons. Introduction to Horses Beginner Level Horsemanship Course Primary focus will be on balance either bareback, western saddle or English saddle. Secondary focus will be on the mechanics of riding. The How's and Why's of horsemanship. Emphasis will be placed on understanding your horse, communicating effectively with him and riding him in a safe, efficient manner. All riders will learn the techniques needed to correct a horse, ride them to maximize their potentials and to ride them under adverse conditions. All students will learn the techniques to correct the bucking or rearing horse. "Head up horse no buck, head down rider on the ground." Horsemanship/Equitation will include basic vocabulary and identification of the parts of the horse, Western and/or English tack and common equipment. A Strong focus on Safety, Barn Manners and Riding Etiquette Students will learn how to groom, tack up and take basic care of the horse. To include diet, hoof and veterinary care. Lessons will consist of learning the proper handling of the horse on the ground, mounting, dismounting, and how to read behavior of the horse. Western and English reining techniques will be explained and introduced. Western students will be taught correct posture, balance, and weight distribution at the walk and either standing or posting the jog. English students will be taught proper position and balance on the saddle at a walk and posting and sitting a trot. Canter/Lope and lead changes will also be taught as the student advances. Our students have the potential to become very accomplished riders. You will learn the difference between a well-trained horse and a poorly trained one. Different sports, breeds, organizations and disciplines will be introduced. Tips on purchasing and caring for a horse and equipment will be explained. and Much, Much More! Private Lessons (Prices effective September 1, 2007) $55.00 per hour per person* Your horse or ours! Semi-Private/Group Lessons Your horse or ours! (Our average group size is 3 - 4 people) Semi $50/Group $45 per hour per person* (You do not need to have your own group to get the group rate, you would just be willing to share a lesson with other students) *There is a one-time fee of $25.00 to pay for Registration. This fee is required for new students who are in private or group lessons. You will turn in your paperwork, get a tour of the facilities and receive any lesson materials. Prices subject to change without notice. Payment is due at or before the time services are rendered. $30.00 returned check charge. What to Expect All riders are expected to groom and tack their mounts and is part of rider’s learning process. The first lesson will include riding and our goal is for each rider to learn safety practices and the skill of tacking up independently. The rider’s second lesson will also include tacking up and then riding. As the riders progress with the tacking up process, their riding time will increase with each lesson. (For parents with small children it may be required for you to assist with getting the horse ready) WARNING UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISK OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES. |
M-Bar-K Farms
Beginners
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| Why should you take riding lessons? We get phone calls all the time from people stating that they and/or their child want to take some riding lessons. I always ask the reason for the interest. Some of the most common responses are:
"A rock does not think or move on its own" The #1 question asked: "How long will it take for me to learn to ride?" Our answer: Always consider yourself a work in progress. Even Olympic and world champion riders take lessons. One year of lessons is 52 hours of instruction, if you attended every lesson. You would receive more training hours if you were going to go rock climbing. And a rock does not think or move on its own. Think about it. It’s a small investment of time to help insure your fun, success and safety while enjoying the companionship of a noble horse. These types of calls and the overwhelming turnover of horse enthusiasts has led us to develop a program based on KNOWLEDGE and AWARENESS of both the horse and rider. The KNOWLEDGE - the mechanical, psychological and the emotional makeup of both the horse and rider. AWARENESS - being the indescribable thing known as feel. Recreational Riders The majority of recreational riders would just like to enjoy themselves without having to pull, jerk, smack on their horse or just have an all out war every time they go out on a trail ride. However, any of these same people believe that instruction and arena work is boring and is just for people who want to compete - that it has nothing to offer a recreational rider and/or their horse. The most common statement I hear is "I don’t want to ride fancy or compete; I just want to go ride and have fun." So, if you are an amateur rider, then let’s put some principle to purpose (work). The principles of classical horsemanship you’ll be taught, will actually serve you better outside of the arena - out actually doing something with your horse, enjoying your horse. That’s putting principle to purpose. We believe the teaching of these principles to the recreational rider is the most important service we can provide. The recreational rider makes up the majority of horse owners/riders. They are also the ones that report the most horse related accidents and problem horses. Problem Horses "How do they become problem horses?" They are usually passed around from one inexperienced person to another. Getting worse with every experience. Most problem horses are a product of their environment: A human with lack of "AWARENESS" to recognize the beginning of a problem. Lack of "KNOWLEDGE" and "SKILL" to head off or repair a problem. Lack of LIGHTNESS, QUICKNESS, TENACITY in which to take care of the problem and keep it that way. Most problem horses are 99% pilot error! Riding is unique If for no other reason, lessons are essential because riding is unique. It is the only sport that two bodies, of two different species, try to work together in balance. The horse is trying to get in balance with the rider, and the rider trying to get into balance and rhythm with the horse. It is difficult due to the fact that the rider’s balance is on the vertical (Longitude), and horse’s balance is on the horizontal (Latitude). Balance in motion is the consistent loss of balance and regaining of balance. |
| 469-682-4405 |
"We've learned more in one lesson then we've learned in ten
lessons at the other barn we were at." For more Testimonials
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lessons at the other barn we were at." For more Testimonials
click here.
| (Above) Meet M-Bar-K Farms newest team member Cassandra. She will be instructing summer camp and day lessons! |