Spend quality one-on-one time with a horse and instructor at the Backcountry Horse Corrals.
The HRCA Backcountry Wilderness Area private lesson program strives to create compassionate horsemen and women, starting from the ground up! Private horseback riding lessons can push your skills along at your own individual pace.
We believe that horse safety and ground-work (including grooming, tacking, lunging, etc…) are important parts of learning to ride and are incorporated into lessons as the instructor sees fit.
Our one-hour horseback riding lessons are scheduled directly through our instructors. If a student has little to no horse experience, we require them to take our Basic Horsemanship 1 class prior to their first lesson. This class teaches horsemanship skills such as: reading a horse's body language, catching and haltering, hand-walking a horse, getting to know brushes and tools, and learning how to tack up and untack a horse. After that, we'll get in the saddle and start our works in the Backcountry Horse Corral arenas.
Private Lesson FAQa
What kind of private lesson styles are offered?
We offer both English and Western riding, (and sometimes even a trail ride if trail conditions permit!)
How do students progress in lessons? Our students learn from the ground up. If they are a beginner, they’ll start with the basics (horse safety, grooming, tacking, and basic riding skills like steering, halting, and walking). From there, everyone tends to progress at different speeds! They learn either Western or English riding, and can learn sitting trot, posting trot, cantering, how to go through obstacles, etc… We have them ride a variety of horses as every horse responds a little differently to commands, they have different speeds, and can help turn students into better, well-rounded riders.
What do you charge for riding lessons?
Private lessons are open to the public and start at $55. We also have a 4-Pack lesson package that starts at $205. Single and 4-Pack lessons must be used within 90 days from the date of purchase.
Where do I sign up? Email carly.steiger@hrcaonline.org to get you in touch with an instructor! Let us know if you would like English or Western lessons and what day of the week works well for you.
Are private horseback riding lessons available year-round?
Yes! With all the nice days we have here in Colorado, we are able to teach year-round.
What should I wear during lessons?
For riding lessons, students should wear long pants and closed-toed shoes (boots with a small heel are preferred). Please dress appropriately for the weather, layers are recommended. Riding helmets are provided if you do not have your own.
What is your weather policy for lessons?
We are able to run riding lessons in mild rain or snow. We will cancel if there is weather that makes it unsafe to ride (such as severe storms or wind, unsafe arena conditions, or thunderstorms). If you are unsure about weather conditions, just contact your instructor! Lessons missed due to weather will be rescheduled.
Carly Steiger is the equine coordinator for the Backcountry Wilderness Area. Carly moved to Colorado in 2015, and is an avid animal and outdoors lover. When she’s not hiking or snowboarding, you can find her caring for her tribe of rescue animals. carly.steiger@hrcaonline.org