Horseback Riding Lessons

Horse Nanny Isa trots her chestnut Arabian mare in the rain.

Beginning-Intermediate Riding Instruction for:

  • Adults

  • Kids ages 7+

  • First-time horse owners

  • Riders regaining their confidence after a fall

  • Folks who have their own horse and want an instructor to come to them

  • Folks who will need a fab lesson horse to ride

I help adults and kids ages 7 and up build powerful, intuitive relationships with horses using a blend of dressage principles, English & Western pleasure, and a focus on equitation (riding posture), pressure/release, and positive reinforcement. You’ll be able to build on this solid foundation in any style you choose as you advance. Happy to work with special needs riders and riders regaining their confidence after a fall. If you have your own horse, I can come to you. If you need a fab lesson horse, come ride with me in beautiful Rolling Hills Estates, CA.

Here’s where and how you can ride with me:

🐴 Private lessons for 1-3 people in Rolling Hills Estates - horse(s) provided
🐴 Group lessons in Rolling Hills Estates - horse(s) provided
🐴 Private lessons on the horse you own or lease at your home arena - I come to you

Bella is a lovely chestnut quarter horse mare. She is pictured with a blue saddle and green halter, standing in a spacious outdoor wash rack.
Horse Nanny Isa smiles next to a lovely black and white pinto after a training ride.

Private Lessons in Rolling Hills Estates

  • 1-3 adults or kids ages 7 & up

  • Robin Dreiling-trained lesson horse provided

  • Ride in a gorgeous, outdoor, California Pepper Tree-lined arena or out on one of the beautiful nearby bridle paths

Pricing

  • $149/per rider for 90-minute first lesson/orientation and beginner sessions where you will learn how to groom and tack up your horse in addition to riding.

  • $395/month per rider for weekly riding lessons (except for major holidays, etc.) Your horse will be reserved for you for 90 minutes so that you can groom and tack up, advance your riding during your lesson, then you can cool down on one of the stunning bridle paths of Rolling Hills Estates, weather permitting. (Minimum 3 month commitment.)

  • $105/per rider drop-in, 90-minute private lesson for established clients

Reserve Your Spot

Contact me at 503-250-4375 or email me at isabel.gautschi@gmail.com

All Ages Group Lessons in Rolling Hills Estates

  • Lesson horses provided

  • Ride at Mystic Canyon Stable’s spacious home arena and the surrounding Rolling Hills Estates Trails

Take a group lesson with me at the fabulous Mystic Canyon Stable where you will learn well-rounded horsemanship in addition to riding. I teach at Mystic Canyon afternoons Monday-Friday.

Register Now

For pricing, registration, and to request me as your instructor, please visit the Mystic Canyon Stable website.

Horse Nanny Isa finds just the right place on her chestnut mare's withers to scritch.
Horse Nanny Isa trots over ground poles with a chestnut arabian mare.

Private Lessons at Your Home Barn/Arena

  • 1-5 adults or kids ages 7 & up

  • You provide the horse(s), helmets, & boots

  • Ride in your home arena

Pricing

  • $139/per rider for 90-minute initial session to see if we’re a good fit

  • $375/month per rider for 4 weekly 45-minute riding lessons (minimum 3-month commitment)

  • $100/per rider drop-in, 45-min private lesson for established clients

*** You will tack up on your own, prior to your lesson.

***Additional travel fees may apply if your barn is outside of the Rolling Hills Estates or Long Beach area.

***You are responsible for any applicable arena and/or visiting trainer fees. You will also need to check with your barn to make sure visiting trainers are allowed.

Reserve Your Spot

Contact me at 503-250-4375 or email me at isabel.gautschi@gmail.com

Horse Nanny Isa takes a silly selfie with gaited gelding after a training ride.

    • 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. Jeans work great! However, for some people, 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.

  • Yep, absolutely. No helmet, no ride.

    Please note that you will need an equestrian helmet rather than a bike helmet- as bike helmets aren’t tested for a fall from the height of a horse.

  • If you’re booking a private lesson, you will have to provide your own. Please note 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.

    • A water bottle

    • Sunscreen

    • A snack with protein

    • Your helmet and riding gloves if you have them

  • 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 yoursel.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.