Horse Hands
Horse Hands: let's ride!
Horse Hands is an educational, interactive and fun-filled experience connecting people of various generations to the wonder of horses and horseback riding, following the Zoo’s mission in providing experiences that inspire people and motivate them to care for the natural world. We would love for you to be a part of it! Our Horse Hands programs are held on Zoo grounds at our Thunderbirds Equine Facility, under our large, covered arena.
We offer horsemanship and riding lessons to those 3 years and older in small groups of 10 or less. Participants, together with a partner, will learn everything about horses and horsemanship. Including how to work safely around horses, how to bond with and appreciate animals, and what it takes to care for these magnificent animals.
Interested individuals will need to meet our eligibility requirements to participate in classes.
Program Details
Ages:
Ages 3+ (Children age 6 and under must be accompanied by a caregiver)
Please read the following document before submitting Horse Hands registration:
Find Your Program
This three-day series is a wonderful opportunity to introduce your little one to our gentle equine. These hands-on caregiving classes include learning the basic needs of a horse, grooming, feeding, an introduction to riding and more! This is a great time for you and your child to come and have fun with horses while learning safe practices as we do it. This 1-hour class is for ages 3-4 years old and must be accompanied by one chaperone.
Price:
Member: $79
General: $99
This three-day series is a great introduction to horses and learning the basics of riding. This program will help you determine if horses are for you! Participants will learn safety around horses, how to halter a horse, how to lead a horse and basic breeds and colors of horses through fun interactive activities; they will also experience the basics of tack and becoming comfortable on the horse. This 1-hour class is for ages 5-6 years old and must be accompanied by one chaperone.
Price:
Member: $79.00
General: $99
This three-day program is designed to develop safe and caring relationships between participants and horses. Participants learn basic caregiving skills such as grooming a horse and cleaning a horse’s stall. They also learn the process of preparing a horse to be ridden, which culminates with their first riding experience.
Price:
Member: $164
General: $199
This three-day program is for those who have completed Level 1. Participants will demonstrate their skills from Level 1 and caregiving is continued by learning about caring for a horse’s hooves and how to bathe a horse. Participants begin to develop riding skills that focus on basic control of a horse.
Price:
Member: $164
General: $199
Level 3 is available for participants who have completed both Level 1 and 2. In this three-day program, participants will broaden their horsemanship knowledge by learning different breeds and colors of horses. While practicing more independence with the horses and riding skills develop further, participants are introduced to faster gaits and learn to maneuver through an obstacle course.
Price:
Member: $164
General: $199
If you have never been on a horse before, or if you have some experience with horses and would like to learn more about their behavior and caregiving and brush up on your horsemanship skills; then this program is for you. This class is a three-day, 2 hour session, no prerequisites needed.
Price:
Member: $164
General: $199
This program is available for participants who have completed Horse Hands Levels 1, 2 and 3 or the Adult Class. The primary focus of the Horse Hands Riding Series will be on riding; however, students will be required to know the caregiving aspects of horsemanship by completing written tests and hands-on demonstrations. This program is a progression series in which students are able to test into higher levels. Lessons are held weekly, for one-hour sessions.
Horse Hands Beginner 1 Horseback Riding
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For those who have completed Horse Hands levels 1-3 or the Adult Horse Hands class. The Beginner I level is an introduction to the fun and challenges of riding horses. It serves to establish a foundation of safe habits and knowledge of the daily care of a horse. The Beginner I rider will learn to ride independently in a bareback pad, with control at the walk and trot through simple patterns. Participants will need to master all Riding and Horsemanship skills to test out to the next level.
Horse Hands Beginner 2 Horseback Riding
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For those who completed all Horsemanship Quizzes and tested-out of the Beginner I Horse Hands Riding evaluation. The Beginner II level fine tunes the rider’s seat and control of the horse with no saddle on a bareback pad at the walk and trot. Bareback allows the rider to improve balance, strength, posture, flexibility and adds to the rider’s confidence. This will allow the rider to be in better motion with the horse and fine tune their natural aids.
Horse Hands Novice 1 Horseback Riding
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For those who have completed all Horsemanship Quizzes and have tested-out of the Beginner II Horse Hands Riding evaluation. The Novice 1 level fine tunes the rider’s seat and control of the horse while under saddle at the walk and trot. The rider will learn different ways to ride at a trot, sitting, posting, and 2-point. Students will perform moderately difficult patterns at a walk and trot. While gaining a greater understanding of a horse’s gaits and movement, the rider will also be able to ride comfortably and maintain control at the canter.
Horse Hands Novice 2 Horseback Riding
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For those who have completed all Horsemanship Quizzes and have tested-out of the Novice I Horse Hands Riding evaluation. The Novice 2 rider will have a solid seat and will be able to control the horse through complex patterns at the walk and trot. Riders will be able to maintain a controlled canter and perform basic movements at that gait. Riders will also be introduced to English riding and tack instead of Western.
Price:
Member: $154
General: $189
Call 602.286.3800 to register.
Participants must complete Level 1-3 or the Adult Class before enrolling in the Riding Series
