services > Lessons, classes and courses
Experience Lessons to Last a Lifetime with Equine Life Solutions
Equine Life Solutions believes in the Natural Horsemanship way of being with horses. All of our classes use Natural Horsemanship principles and techniques designed to benefit both horse and rider. Whether you want to get on a horse for the first time, have a problem behavior with your current partner, or would like to learn how Natural Horsemanship methods can improve your competitive edge, we have the program to fit your goals.
• School
Horses: If you don’t own a horse, no worries, we have several skilled school horses willing to help teach you everything they know. Even if you enter the program with your equine partner, there may be times when a lesson requires a horse that has more knowledge or skill in a specific task. In these instances, we will provide a school horse for you to experience the ‘right feel’ of the exercise. This will better equip you to work with your partner to accomplish your goals. Take a moment to Meet
our Equine Instructors and Guest Instructors.
• Workshops and Clinics: From time-to-time we will offer special workshops and clinics on Ground Safety, TrailerTraining and Grooming and Hoof Care. In addition, we have partnered with several other local professionals who will conduct classes on items such as Saddle Fitting, Equine Massage Therapy, and Equine Health, Nutrition and Emergency First Aid.
Evaluations
Orientation Evaluation
Before entering our Balanced Seat Riding Program, we want to make sure our program is right for you. Our one-hour Initial Orientation & Evaluation Lesson is a valuable tool that provides new students with an opportunity to evaluate our program and facilities, discuss fear or other issues they may have, and to ask questions about how we run our programs. It is also time for the instructor to evaluate the student’s goals and current confidence and skill level. This will enable them to recommend the course they believe to be best suited for the rider. This evaluation is required for all new students.
Competency Evaluation
Some courses have Prerequisite requirements for advanced work. Any student may challenge the Prerequisite and take a one-hour Competency Evaluation in order for the instructor to assess the student’s current ability and waive the prerequisite. Rider must be able to stop with light seat or rein aid, walk, trot, canter at a variety of speeds while maintaining rhythm and balance and demonstrate proficiency at the one-rein stop and disengage the hindquarters.
There is a one-time fee of $65 for the above evaluations.
Current Classes and Courses
Naturally
On-Line (groundwork)
Become natural with horses through attitude, communication, knowledge and psychology rather than force, fear or intimidation. Understand your human role as a partner and leader, not a dominator or predator. Understanding Natural Horsemanship principles is a life-long journey that will benefit all aspects of your life. This course is the foundation of learning basic horse communication and leadership. By the end of the course you will know the proper way to ‘catch’ and halter a horse, lead them through gates and past ‘scary’ objects, how to groom, tack and mount safely and with confidence. This course is a pre-requisite to entering the Balanced Seat Riding program.
Who Should Attend: Those new to horses or horse ownership and anyone wanting to build a solid leadership foundation.
Equipment:
Proper footwear and a good attitude.
Class Duration: 1 hour sessions
Introduction
to Balanced Seat Riding
"In classical (riding), the movements performed are representations of natural movements that a horse might do at play or in courtship or territorial displays. This has been the central element in describing the classical riding approach—that is, that the movements must complement nature, and what is natural for the horse." (Riding Towards The Light, by Paul Belasik pg.91).
No matter what style of riding you want to pursue, this series of classes teach you the skill of riding through feel, communication, and balance. Learn how to ride in and through the horse to achieve light leg and hand aids. This series of bareback lunge-work exercises will teach you rhythm and balance while building or improving your riding skills.
Who Should Attend: Anyone interested in becoming a balanced/centered rider.
Prerequisite: Naturally On-Line (groundwork)
Class Duration: 1 hour sessions
Advanced
Balanced Seat Riding
This course is designed for the horse and rider to continue what they have learned by practicing patterns that will further develop their rhythm, balance and suppleness. When the rider is ready, the saddle will be added to practice the balanced seat. Ground poles and Cavelleti will also be introduced to build strength, rhythm, balance and suppleness in the horse.
Who Should Attend: Students interested in keeping and maintaining optimal fitness or becoming ‘Master’ riders.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Balanced Seat Riding
Class Duration: 1 hour sessions
Obstacle Course Training
These classes are held in our new and growing obstacle field. The focus of these exercises is building confidence in both horse and rider while navigating normal trail obstacles such as logs and fences and ‘scary’ objects such as water and waving banners, plastic or flags. Safety is a key focus in these exercises designed to build confidence and prepare you for some of the problems you may encounter on the trail.
Who Should Attend: Any rider interested in competitive or pleasure trail riding or students or horses with minimal exposure or experience on the trail. This is a great class for young or green horses.
Prerequisite: Must be a current Advanced Balanced Seat Riding student or pass Competency Evaluation*
Class Duration: 1 hour sessions
From Rail-to-Trail Adventure Package
Your adventure starts with 4 classes that will build confidence and prepare you for a safe and more enjoyable guided trail ride. Learn the basics of Safety – how to be around and on a horse. Navigation – learn the basics of asking a horse to turn right, left, go and whoa. Tack – the basic equipment used on a horse and how to use it. Comfort – Learn how to sit properly and what clothes to wear.
At the conclusion of the four lessons with ELS– you end with a fabulous 3+ hour trail ride with Stillwater Ranch Outfitters in Sultan. You will ride through the Cascade foothills surrounded by the most beautiful Northwest scenery around. At your destination, you will be served a box lunch while taking in the panoramic views of the Skykomish River Valley before heading back down the trail to the ranch. Don’t forget your camera!
Prerequisite: None – does not require the Initial Orientation Evaluation
Class Duration: 4 – 1 hour sessions plus a 3 to 4 hour guided trail ride
Cost: $280.00 – Call Robyn at (206) 351-1248 to schedule
Natural Horsemanship
While we are Natural Horsemanship stable committed to practicing ‘kinder’ techniques and principles, learning Natural Horsemanship in its true form is a journey best taken between a horse and his/her human. Building this relationship of trust and respect is incredibly bonding for both, and for that reason, we do not use our school horses for this program. Students who own their own horse and are willing to commit to take the time it takes can enroll with instructor permission. This is not a short-term endeavor. It requires an extraordinary amount of time, patience and commitment.
Who Should Attend: Those with an intense desire to build a deeper relationship of trust and respect with their equine partner.
Prerequisite: Patience, Commitment and Passion
Class Duration: Lifetime
Please call Robyn at (206) 351-1248 for current schedules and pricing.
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