• Preferably riding boots. (Check out Ariat and Blundstone for good-quality, long-lasting options, or more affordable, vegan options like this.) At the very least, shoes should be closed-toed but NOT steel-toed, and shouldn’t have a lot of buckles or laces that could get caught in the stirrups.

• A helmet. We aim to be as safe as possible, but horses can be unpredictable and riding is an inherently dangerous sport. Protect that noggin! Mystic Canyon Stables provides helmets, but if you take private lessons from me, you’ll need to bring your own. I recommend Troxel. You can get one for less than $60 on Amazon. Please note that you should get an equestrian helmet rather than a bike helmet- as bike helmets aren’t tested for falls from the height of a horse.

• A hairstyle that will fit under a helmet. No high ponytails or buns, headbands, or chunky clips and barrettes.

• Long pants. The seams on jeans can become uncomfortable when learning to post, so you may want to consider breeches or riding pants- preferably ones that are mostly cotton to improve breathability.

• Nothing around your neck that could get caught on things and become a choking hazard, like scarves or necklaces.

• Sunscreen. We’ll be out in the sun, it’s easy to get burned without noticing, please protect your skin!

• Recommended: riding gloves. These will save you quite a few blisters and calluses.

• A water bottle

• Sunscreen

• A snack with protein

• Your helmet, boots, and gloves. (You’ll need to provide your own if you’re taking a private lesson. You can borrow helmets and boots if you take one of my group classes at Mystic Canyon Stables.)

I’m a fan of positive reinforcement with humans too. I strive to help you build a powerful, intuitive connection with your horse so that riding can be a partnership- not a power struggle. My goal is to adapt to your learning style, so whether you’re visual learner, a kinesthetic learner, or whatever the way you process, I’m communicating in a way you understand. I also want to give you space to implement the instruction. Rather than providing constant correction, I strive to give you space to figure it out for yourself.

If you’re booking a private lesson, you will have to provide your own. Please note that helmets are required- no helmet, no ride.

If you take one of my group classes at Mystic Canyon Stable, helmets and boots are provided if you don’t have your own.

Yep!

Yep! I love teaching adults.

As a rule, I don’t share photos of kids in my marketing. The only exception would be if you’re publicly sharing photos of your child’s riding lesson and you give me express permission.

However, the release you sign when we work together allows me to use photos/videos of adult lessons and their horses in my marketing. I do my best to ask first though. If you have a strong objection to this, please let me know.

You’re welcome to share your own photos of your lesson as you please.

Of course, I’d love to work with you and get you back in the saddle- going at your own pace.

However, if you’re experiencing extreme anxiety due to your fall, I do recommend that you also get support from a licensed mental health professional. There is no shame in this! The better you treat yourself, the better you treat your horse.

175 lbs is the limit for how much our private lesson horses can carry for their safety and yours.

Please check with Mystic Canyon for their policies when registering for group lessons.

Private lessons are usually on rain or shine, though on rainy days we may be learning horsemanship (care, feeding, parts of the horse, etc.) rather than riding. We cancel for extreme weather events though.

Classes at Mystic Canyon are on rain or shine.

Except in extreme weather events, horse training sessions are on rain or shine. Depending on the condition of the arenas and trails, we may have to focus on groundwork instead of riding though.

Sorry, no refunds. My time/a horse are reserved for you when you book my services- meaning I can’t make that money elsewhere when you cancel short notice.