Learn to ride horses with our experienced instructors.
Discover the joy of horseback riding through our comprehensive lessons.
Lesson Information
At Pine Trails Ranch, we offer comprehensive riding lessons designed to help you master the fundamentals of jumping, dressage, Western horsemanship, and trail riding. Our weekly lessons provide a steady path for riders of all ages and skill levels—whether you’re aiming to reach advanced riding goals or simply want to improve your skills and enjoy riding for pleasure. Before your first lesson, please contact us to discuss any special considerations or concerns. Riders can be from ages 3 or 4 yrs to 80 yrs and up to 220# weight limit.
We offer both semi-private lessons (3–4 students) and private lessons, ensuring personalized attention tailored to your needs. Additionally, our classroom sessions cover essential topics such as safe falling techniques, riding terminology, and the biomechanics of a correct seat—building a strong foundation on and off the horse.
With our full range of lessons, boarding options, clinics, and camps, Pine Trails Ranch is proud to be one of California’s premier destinations for horse riding education and equestrian experiences.
Basic Precepts
- Well-Trained Lesson Horses: We provide lesson horses with extensive training, suitable for riders of all levels.
- Encouraging Curiosity: Asking questions and fostering inquisitiveness are highly encouraged to deepen learning.
- Goal-Oriented Confidence: We focus on helping each rider set and reach their personal goals while building confidence.
- Physical Fitness: Our lessons emphasize developing balance, core strength, and flexibility to improve riding and overall fitness.
- Personalized Instruction: Lessons are tailored to each rider’s ability and comfort level, guided by experienced instructors dedicated to your progress.
Schedule Information
All lessons must be scheduled, canceled, or rescheduled at least 36 hours in advance to avoid cancellation fees. In the event of bad weather, we may postpone riding or classroom lessons to ensure your safety and the well-being of our horses.
Our classroom lessons are designed to improve your horsemanship skills and safety. Topics include safe falling techniques, correct and safe mounting, leg wrapping for shows and injuries, first aid, understanding bits and alternatives, proper saddle fitting, and much more. Since many accidents occur during mounting, our specialized classroom apparatus helps teach techniques to minimize risks and keep you safe.
Your safety is our top priority.
Call 530-756-2042 to get started.
Your Horse or Ours?
At Pine Trails Ranch, lessons can be taken on your own horse or one of our well-trained lesson horses. All lessons are taught by Michelle Haseltine or an authorized instructor dedicated to providing quality instruction.
Please remember, all lessons must be scheduled, canceled, or rescheduled at least 36 hours in advance to avoid charges. If proper notice is not given, the lesson fee will still apply.
Please note: We do not rent horses. While you are welcome to ride our quality lesson horses during lessons, they are only available to riders actively training within our program and do not go out with riders outside our system. We have horses who can carry riders up to 220 lbs in size.
Lesson Timing:
- Semi-private lessons typically take about 2 hours total, including brushing, saddling, riding, unsaddling, and putting the horses away.
- Private lessons usually take about 1.5 hours from start to finish.
Little Rider Lessons
We’re excited to offer a new one-hour private lesson specially designed for very young children just starting their equestrian journey. These lessons include grooming, tacking up, and riding — all tailored to suit the shorter attention spans of little riders.
This program is perfect for children ages 3 to 6, providing a fun, safe, and engaging introduction to horses and riding.
Costs
For Students Using Pine Trails Ranch Lesson Horses:
| Lesson Type | Duration | Price per Lesson |
|---|---|---|
| Group Lesson (3-4 students) | 2 hours | $65 per person |
| Private Lesson (Single Student) | 1.5 hours | $85 per person |
| Little Riders Lesson (Ages 3-5) | 1 hour | $68 per person |
Students will tack up and care for their lesson horse with instructor assistance before and after the lesson.
For Clients Who Own or Lease Their Own Horse:
| Lesson Type | Duration | Price per Lesson |
|---|---|---|
| Group Lesson | 1 hour | $45 per person |
| Private Lesson | 1 hour | $65 per person |
Students are expected to tack up and care for their horse independently before and after lessons.
Lesson Cards – Save Money!
Purchase lesson cards to receive discounted rates for five lessons.
| Lesson Type | Using Pine Trails Horse | Using Own/Leased Horse |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-Private Lesson | $285 | $200 |
| Private Lesson | $390 | $285 |
Learn to Ride
Experience the joy of horseback riding.
Join us for horseback riding lessons and discover the thrill of connecting with one of our horses.