Course Outline:

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Four Week - Adult Learn to Ride Immersive Course

This course is suitable for a range of riders; from complete beginner adult riders and parents of riders, to those progressing and improving their skills as well as those looking to get back in the saddle or learn more about horsemanship.

Pre-requisites: Must be an adult. Weight restrictions for horse safety 75kg (and only 2 horses available at that weight)

Following enrolment, you will receive an email directly from MC Equestrian Riding School requesting that you complete a waiver form so they can ensure an appropriate horse is allocated for your riding classes.

The sessions are 2 hours each week, with a mix of horsemanship and learning to ride. You will learn a number of essential horse riding skills including:

·  How to correctly saddle and tack up a horse

·  How to mount and dismount from your horse

·  How to obtain the correct position in your saddle to ride safely

·  The correct posture while riding

·  Groom and care for a horse

·  Terminology and equipment/tack - uses and differences

·  How to read a horse’s body language

·  How to walk and guide a horse

·  Work your way to an independent trot

·  Those with previous experience will build on existing skills and knowledge. (The riding part of the lesson is a private lesson tailored to each riders individual skills)

Outline of Sessions:

Session 1.  Introduction to horse riding – horsemanship 
Theory: Learn how to handle a horse

o    Key safety factors

o    Horse anatomy

o    Horse body language

o    Terminology

o    Equipment/tack for the horse

o    Rider’s attire

o    How to communicate with your horse – body language

Practical: Prepare your horse for riding (Tack up) + Grooming

o    How to groom your horse – correct brushes & hoof equipment

o    Identify the tack you need for your first ride

o    How to put a halter on your horse

o    Learn how to correctly tack up your horse – saddle, bridles, boots

o    Learn how to rug and un-rug your horse

o    Learn how to correctly mount and dismount your horse

o    Learn the correct seat for riding – how to sit correctly in your saddle

o    Slow walk on lunge

Session 2.  Building your knowledge
Theory: Caring for a horse

o    How to care for a horse – feeding, farrier, dentist, vet, physio, osteopath, massage

o    How to exercise a horse and horse work loads

o    First aid

o    Recap of last week’s information

Practical: Communication and posture

o    Tack up your horse independently

o    Independent mount and dismount

o    How to communicate effectively with your horse

o    Work on posture, position and balance while riding

o    Progression to walk off lunge

Session 3. Accelerating your knowledge
Theory: Improving your communication with a horse

o    Types of bridles and their differences

o    Types of saddles and their differences

o    Types of saddle pads shape, half pads & corrector pads

o    Types of stirrups and their differences

o    Recap of last week’s information

Practical: Improving your riding skills

o    Tack up your horse independently

o    Independent mount and dismount

o    Perfecting your posture, balance and seat

o    How to guide your horse around the arena

o    Learning to go, stop and turn your horse

o    Trot on or off the lunge (depending on your ability)

Session 4. Reinforcing your knowledge

Theory: Recap on horsemanship skills learnt

o   Answering questions

Practical: Improving your riding skills

o   Tack up your horse independently

o   Independent mount and dismount

o   Perfecting your posture and seat

o   Improving balance in trot work on or off the lunge (depending on rider level)

o   Perfecting your riding skills learnt so far

o   Work on arena craft (symbols, terminology, rules etc) and movement if applicable

This course is aimed at beginner riders and parents of riders that want to be able to support their children and learn how to safely handle a horse.

Maximum 4 per class

What to Bring:

Comfortable full-length leggings, jeans or tight fitting pants or jodhpurs are ideal, with layers on top eg. a t-shirt and long sleeved top or jacket.

Covered shoes or boots with a small heel and smooth soles are essential. We have a limited number of boots available in selected sizes to borrow if need be. Riders will need an EA certified helmet to ride. We have a number of certified helmets in various sizes you can borrow to use during your lesson, if you dont have your own. (Down the track if you commit to regular lessons you will need to invest in an EA certified helmet of your own.)

On the day:

 Arrive 15 to 20 mins early if possible, to allow for helmet fittings etc. 

 Location:

 101 Booralie Rd, Terrey Hills. Park in the top carpark and walk down the grass hill to the stables on your left. On the outside of the stable block towards the centre opposite the covered arena is the reception. Wait here for one of the team to assist you. 

 What to wear:

 Long sleeves (and light weight layers depending on the weather) stretchy pants (not jeans) boots with a small heel and smooth sole (if you have them) We have a range of boots in most sizes if you don't own any shoes. 

 Helmets are also provided if you don't have your own. (Arrive earlier to find one that fits)

 What to bring:

 Water bottle and layers for change in weather. 

 We look forward to seeing you soon! 

About the Tutor:

MC Equestrian Riding School is located in Terrey Hills and run by Dee McVicker. With over 30 years of experience Dee ensures the highest safety standards are met for both our riders and our horses. Our coaches are EA qualified and we pride ourselves on improving your horsemanship and enabling you to become a confident rider. 

Our horses are calm and well schooled and our facilities are first-class and include; a state-of-the-art, floodlit, covered indoor arena with mirrors, a full-sized outdoor dressage arena and two outdoor smaller arenas. Enroll today as numbers are limited.