Group Western Horseback Riding Lessons

Gathering Pines offers comprehensive one-hour horse lessons with group sizes ranging between three and six participants. During Western Horseback Riding Lessons, participants will learn riding skills in a fun, relaxed, and supportive atmosphere. Lessons go beyond just riding. Some components of what you may learn are how to catch your horse, lead, groom, tack up, ride, and care for your horse. Our instructors and assistants will guide you through the process, emphasizing safe horse handling practices both on the ground and in the saddle.

Lessons are offered in six-week sessions. Participants register for a day and will then be assigned a one-hour lesson time on the weekday they registered for. For example, a participant may be assigned a time of 12:00pm on the Saturday they registered for. Participants will be grouped with others based on age and skill level to ensure a consistent riding experience.

For more information, please contact Justine Christensen by email.

Location

YMCA Gathering Pines
23701 Zane Avenue, Lakeville, MN 55044

Times

  • Weekdays: 3 - 8 p.m.
  • Weekends: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Six Week Spring Lessons (Age 8-17)

Session #1

  • Mondays: February 27 – April 3, 2023
  • Wednesdays: March 1 – April 5, 2023
  • Fridays: March 3 – April 7, 2023
  • Saturdays:  March 4 – April 8, 2023
  • Sundays: March 5 – April 9, 2023

Session #2

  • Mondays: April 10 – May 15, 2023
  • Wednesdays: April 12 – May 17, 2023
  • Fridays: April 14 – May 19, 2023
  • Saturdays: April 15 – May 20, 2023
  • Sundays: April 16 – May 21, 2023

Register

Little Seeds Horse Experience (Age 3-5)

Thursdays 4/13 - 5/18 (6 Weeks) 

Cost: $379 Member, $399 Non-Member

Registration Times:

  • 10 – 11 a.m.
  • 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
  • 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Our Little Seeds Horse Experiences are a great opportunity for your child to have fun at the Barn! Sessions are 60 minutes in total and may include; learning how to safely interact with horses, becoming confident and comfortable around horses, brushing and grooming, groundwork, horse care, building strength and balance while being lead on a horse, and more. These lessons are a great way to get your young rider confident around and on horses and are designed to give them a “leg up” in future lessons.

The expectation is that the participant’s adult(s) stay on site during the lesson. This is not a drop off program. There will be some opportunities for adults to learn alongside their children, but all child participants must be registered.

Register

Lesson Weather Policy

Gathering Pines features an amazing equine facility with an indoor riding arena. There are weather conditions that may limit or prevent riding time during lessons.  When riding limiting weather occurs, instructors will supplement lesson time with alternative equine education and activities. If a lesson day were to be canceled due to weather, you will receive an email and /or phone call.