Horse Course 101: Intro to Horsemanship
Horse Course 101 is the perfect starting point for brand-new riders of all ages. This four-session program offers a safe, supportive introduction to horsemanship, covering essential skills like grooming, tacking up, leading, mounting, and riding at the walk. With small group sizes and hands-on instruction, students will learn proper barn etiquette, horse handling techniques, and riding fundamentals—all while building confidence and comfort around horses.
Designed as both a learning experience and an evaluation tool, Horse Course 101 helps riders and parents determine the best fit for future lessons. Upon completion, each student receives a certificate and a personalized recommendation for ongoing riding opportunities based on their readiness and interests.
Saturday, July 19th, 2025
Saturday, July 26th, 2025
Saturday, Aug 9th, 2025
Saturday, Aug 16th, 2025
🐴 Horse Course 101 Overview
A Beginner’s Guide to Horsemanship at Infinity Equine
Cost: $250
📋 Requirements
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Certified Riding Helmets (Available to borrow if needed)
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Boots with a Heel
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Long Pants
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Gloves (Recommended)
👥 Class Format
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Four sessions, 60 minutes each
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Max 2 riders per class (Parent participation encouraged)
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Hands-on learning + worksheets
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Goal: Safe, confident handling and riding fundamentals
🐎 Day 1: Introduction to the Barn and Basic Horse Handling
🧑🏫 Orientation
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Meet the coach and review parent involvement
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Emphasize punctuality and the cancellation policy
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Fit helmets and check proper footwear
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Overview of appropriate riding attire and suggestions for future purchase
🚨 Barn Safety Basics
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Always use quiet voices
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No running, yelling, or sudden movements
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Walk calmly around horses, never directly behind
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How to enter a box stall safely
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Learn to halter a horse and tie it with a quick-release knot or cross-tie
🧽 Grooming 101
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Identify grooming tools: curry comb, hard brush, soft brush, hoof pick
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Demonstrate correct order and pressure
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Pick hooves properly: front first, sweep up immediately
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Manure etiquette: clean up after your horse
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Worksheet: Grooming Tools & Purpose
🐴 Tacking Up: Saddling & Bridle Introduction
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Saddle pad placement
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Saddle positioning and correct girth tightening
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Instructor demonstrates bridle application
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Parents and students participate hands-on
🏇 In the Arena
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Lead a horse from the near side, watch feet
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Mount from a block correctly
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Adjust stirrups
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Learn basic walk, halt, and direction change
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Introduce voice and rein aids gently
🐴 Day 2: Refining Handling & Tack, Mounting Practice
🐎 Handling Review
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Students halter and tie horses independently (with coach assistance)
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Saddle and girth check
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Worksheet: Saddle & Girth Checklist
🏇 Tack & Mounting
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Review bridle parts and placement
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Parent training: how to help adjust stirrups on ground
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Demonstrate mounting with block or leg-up
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Teach voice and leg aids for walk and whoa
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Coach encourages a strong core and upright posture
🎯 Arena Activity
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Steering practice using cones
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"Walk the Plank" balance game
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Review dismount
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Running up stirrups for safety
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Hold and lead the horse while tacked
🧠 Tack Knowledge
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Worksheet: Bridle Parts (Label the reins, noseband, browband, throatlatch, bit, and cheekpieces)
🐴 Day 3: Catching, Grooming, Balance & Tack Skills
🐴 Horse Catching
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Head to paddock with parents
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Demonstrate catching, haltering, and leading safely
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Learn how to properly open/close gates with a horse in hand
🧽 Grooming & Tack-Up Review
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Riders groom and tack independently under coach supervision
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Review all steps in order, checking for safety and correctness
🧘♂️ Arena: Mount & Balance Exercises
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Review stirrup length and mount safely
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Walk using aids
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Introduce balance exercises:
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Touching toes
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Standing in stirrups
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Two-point or light seat practice
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🐴 Dismount & Untack
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Safe dismount
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Leading the horse in-hand
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Intro to Parts of the Horse (with labeled diagram)
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Worksheet: Parts of the Horse
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Untack the horse and:
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Hang up bridle correctly
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Clean bit (if needed)
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Put equipment away neatly
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🎉 Day 4: Final Review & Assessment
✅ Independent Review Session
Riders complete the following skills with light assistance as needed:
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Catch and halter horse
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Groom and tack up (saddle + bridle)
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Lead to the arena
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Adjust stirrups and mount
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Walk, steer, stop
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Dismount and untack
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Put away equipment
📜 Graduation & Next Steps
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Riders receive a Certificate of Completion
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Coach provides verbal feedback
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Discuss options for regular riding lessons or additional “Horse Course 101” sessions if needed
📎 Additional Resources
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Worksheets (Provided each day)
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Recommended tack/clothing checklist
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Rider readiness checklist
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Parent help guide
