Kids & Family Lessons · Ages 5–15
Let your kid grow up around horses.
Real responsibility. Real animals. Real confidence — whether they're leading their first pony or riding independently.
Lessons start at $50/session
WHY HORSES
Confidence
Leading and handling a 1,000-lb animal builds a kind of self-assurance nothing else does.
Responsibility
Grooming, tacking, and care come before riding — real chores, real ownership.
Real Learning
Counts toward homeschool PE, science, and life-skills credit — ask us for documentation.
TWO TRACKS, BY AGE
Little Hooves
Ground work, leading, grooming, and basic safety. Short, hands-on sessions matched to a patient, kid-tested horse. No riding pressure — most kids aren't ready for that yet, and that's the point.
Junior Horsemanship
More independence on the ground, and a riding progression for kids who are ready. Ties into our milestone system — Foundation through Mastery — so progress is visible.
CHOOSE A FORMAT
FOR PARENTS
Supervision
Every session is instructor-led, one-on-one attention even in groups.
Matched Horses
Every kid is paired with a horse suited to their size, confidence, and pace.
First Lesson
No riding on day one — we start with trust, on the ground, together.
MEET OUR KID-FRIENDLY HORSES
Willow
Patient and intuitive — Willow reads nervous energy and responds with calm, making her perfect for first-timers who need a horse that won't rush them.
Misty
Sweet and quiet, with the gentle Gypsy Vanner temperament kids love — and sized just right so kids feel like they're right on her level.
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Dawn has spent years teaching kids the same way she raised her own five — with patience, structure, and a lot of hands-on time. She homeschooled all five of them, so working with a nervous first-timer or a confident ten-year-old ready to ride is second nature. She runs every part of Decode Horsemanship herself — boarding, mustang gentling, and the full training program — which means your kid's instructor is on this farm every single day, not just for a Tuesday lesson. Her approach is relationship before riding: trust on the ground first, same as it is with every horse she brings home.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does a lesson cost?
Private lessons are $75/session. Small group lessons (2–4 kids) are $50/session per child. Homeschool group blocks are $50/session per child.
What should my kid wear?
Closed-toe shoes with a small heel (boots work great), long pants, and clothes that can get dusty. We provide helmets.
What if my child is nervous or has never been near a horse?
That's completely normal — and exactly what we're set up for. First lessons focus on trust-building from the ground: grooming, leading, and just being around the horse. No pressure to ride until they're ready.
Can I stay and watch the lesson?
Yes — parents are welcome to watch from our viewing area. Some kids do better without an audience, so we'll let you know if stepping back for a bit might help.
Do you accept total beginners?
Absolutely. Most of our kids have never touched a horse before their first lesson. That's exactly where we like to start.
What ages do you accept?
Our Little Hooves track is for ages 5–9, and Junior Horsemanship is for ages 10–15. Younger or older? Reach out — we can sometimes make exceptions.
Do you offer sibling or friend discounts for Small Group lessons?
Yes — small group pricing is already discounted compared to private lessons. Bring siblings or friends and everyone saves.