Lessons at Keyes Farms

Lessons begin in mid-May and last through the end of August.  From September-April I am in Kalamazoo, MI attending WMU.

For lesson availabilty, click here. New!

New for this season, I will also be offering 30 minute lessons for students 7 and under. Most of my students are young, and it can be hard to keep a 6 year old's attention for a full hour. And for some kids, this can be a lot of physical activity! I will still offer my hour lessons, but am providing the 30 minute lessons as an alternative for students that would benefit from shorter lessons. However, many of my young students do fine with a full hour! So the length of the child's lesson is completely up to your discretion, although I'd be happy to offer my opinion if requested. The pricing for these will be $15/per rider/per lesson..

For beginner to intermediate lessons on your horse at your place, or my horse at my place. Typically Western riding. All ages welcome!       Approx. $25/hour at our place (Mt.Morris, MI)       Approx. $25-$30/hour at your place Please contact me for more information. Group lesson pricing is generally: $25 for the first person                                                 +15 for the second                                                 +15 for the third

Lessons are tailored to fit the needs of the student. Lessons can be given bareback, or in English or Western tack (the "regulars" often experience all 3 at one time or another). Students learn about the care of horses, safety, grooming, and tacking up. These lessons are generally aimed at the beginner and give the rider the ability to gain a strong foundation for riding in a positive, laidback, one-on-one atmosphere. Occasionally I get requests to just give a trail ride for a nice summer activity, and I usually agree to it; just as a note, pricing is the same as would be for a lesson.

Our Lesson Horses

From left to right, Flurry and Taylor, Flash and Hannah, Splash and Jill.  These horses are all used in lessons.  Flurry is a 24 year old appaloosa gelding.  He is a good choice for the absolute beginner as he is absolutely bombproof and gentle.  Flash is also great for beginners but likes to speed up when she can.  Splash is a good choice for beginners but can be stubborn if he realizes you don't know what you're doing!

Flash: One of 2 mares at our farm.  She's about 17 years old.  Flash is a sorrel quarterhorse that has had feet problems since we acquired her.  When her feet are in good working order, she is my number one choice for lessons. However, if she's having problems, we won't use her.  She was my first rodeo horse, and she absolutely loves running barrels and poles.  She is also sometimes used in parades and football games to carry the American flag.

Splash:  Splash is a 17 year old sorrel quarterhorse gelding.  We acquired Splash about 3 years ago.  He hadn't been ridden in over a year, and had not been anything more than walked in over 3 years.  So I made him a barrel horse.  I used him a few seasons ago, started off the season last year with him.  However, he takes a lot more convincing to get up and go, so I've turned him back into a lesson horse. He is now very well-mannered, but on occasion he can get stubborn, but even beginners will be able to handle him if they show him who's boss.