Misty River Equestrian Center and it's Certified Riding Instructors offer semi-private as well as private Horsemanship Lessons through 4 different levels. These are weekly, hour long lessons for ages 8 and up.

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All students start at Level One and progress through the levels at their own pace. Advancement is checked through CHA mounted and written tests (written portion can be given orally at request). This level program is designed and taught by CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) instructors and made to create well rounded horsemen and women.

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Class Level Descriptions

Level 1
This level teaches the student: horse sense and safety, parts of the tack, approaching, leading, grooming, saddling and bridling, mounting and dismounting, basic seat and hand positions, basic aids and horse control, circles and reverses, western and English, riding the trot, posting diagonals, exercises on horseback.

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Level 2
This level requires that the student has completed Level 1 above. The studies taught include: horse coloring and markings, the basic gaits of the horse, breeds, horse terms, balance of horse and rider, adjusting the stirrups,  learning to canter or lope, western patterns and obstacles/introduction to jumping/beginning dressage.

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Level 3
This level requires that the student has completed Level 1 and 2 above. The studies taught include: equipment, bits and bitting, horse care, type of rein aids, leg, seat, and voice aids, ways of using reins, improving your seat in the trot and canter, correct leads, transitions, schooling figures in the ring, western turn backs on the rail/jumping crossrails/low level dressage.

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Level 4
This level requires that the student has completed Levels 1, 2, and 3 above. The studies taught include: horse psychology, horse care, soundness, conformation, parasites, first aid, movement, blemishes, types of balance, advanced aids, side pass, bending and suppling, stops from the lope, pivots, lead changes, roll backs, flexion and bending, lengthening/shortening strides, leg yields, jumping (max of 1').

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Lesson Fees: 

Semi-Private (2-3 students):  $55 per student

Private: $80.00

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Before your First Lesson

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Students must wear boots with a 1/2 inch to an inch and a 1/2 heel, long pants, and an ASTM/SEI certified horseback riding helmet for each lesson. Long hair will need to be put low for the helmet to fit safely. Long necklaces and infinity scarves can not be worn.

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At this time we are unable to safely accommodate riders exceeding 200 lbs. Prior to or at your first lesson, heights and weights will be requested in order to provide each rider with a suitable horse. Instructors reserve the right to offer unmounted lessons in lieu of riding if weight or fitness are deemed to impede safety.

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CHA and Misty River offer Total Horsemanship. We strive to teach horsemanship from "the ground up", as well as how to ride. This program is designed to prepare students with the education for responsible, knowledgeable horse ownership. It is designed to teach a percentage of skills that can not be taught in the saddle. These skills build upon each other and are tested at the end of each level. Our instructors are encouraged to save these ground lessons for inclement days, when riding would be unsafe. These lessons are expected to be attended just as regular lessons. And these lessons are FUN!