Riding lesson horses are a crucial part of the equine industry. With three million babies born each year in the U.S. and more than a third of U.S. households housing a horse lover, the potential for beginning riders is strong.
When considering the various levels of riding in our industry, the beginner rider segment should be the largest because it is the top of the funnel for the rest of the business. If the beginner segment dwindles, eventually all the levels above it will shrink as well.
The pain point for riding instructors isn’t teaching beginners. Most of us love beginner riders. It’s how expensive it has become to keep each horse. The helpful answer lies in reducing the cost of caring for lesson horses while maximizing their use.
Choose the Right Lesson Horses.
When choosing a lesson horse you should keep in mind that this animal will enter the ranks of the backbone of your teaching business. Consequently, there are many factors to consider. For the purpose of this article, I’ll only address those things that affect costs of purchase, care, and upkeep.
Target audience
Chose a lesson horse according to your target audience The horse that suits adults who might weigh 200 pounds for example, will be different than one for children who are 80 pounds. Keep in mind the standard for determining a horse’s weight carrying capability is 20% of the horse’s body weight. 20% includes the weight of your saddle and saddle pad.
Soundness-
Select a horse who is sound and whose conformation will allow him to remain sound (barring the unforeseen) for many years.
Hooves
A lesson horse needs solid healthy hooves. When you buy a horse with good hooves it is possible he may not need to be shod to work well in your program.
The oldies
I love the oldies with their miles and miles of experience. Schoolmasters pass on valuable opportunities to riders, but they are not the ideal horse for beginner lessons. Sadly, older horses come with a variety of problems, usually due to the hard work they have put in for us. If you can afford to keep one of these worth-their-weight-in gold-animals great, but be prepared to pay more for their upkeep. Know they will not be able to work as much as a young horse.
Purchase Price
The average price of a riding horse is $3,444. (see this article by Beth Mallory on Horses Only https://horsesonly.com/horse-industry/ ) That’s more than 17 times the amount I paid for my first lesson horse. He was one of the best lesson horses I’ve ever taught with but of course that was a long time ago. The last lesson horse I bought that goes into the best-beginner-horse-ever ranks cost a little less than a third of the average riding horse price today. I taught countless student on these horses. Neither was registered, both were easy keepers, both were geldings, and they were between 14.2 and 14.3 hands, which took them out of the optimal height for show ponies or children's hunters. When you find a horse that fits your program so well that it goes on your best ever list, hang on to him. They are worth their weight in gold. I understand the price of horses has seriously increased. Finding a good horse may take extra time and a bit more cash.
Upkeep
Your beginner lesson horses only need to be in the barn when they are being readied or are waiting to participate in lessons. If you are able, turn them out together at night and on their days off. Turning out will not only help keep your costs down, but the freedom is good for their minds. Give them ample hay or pasture as appropriate. Only feed grain when your horse needs more calories.
Shoeing
Only shoe your lesson horses if they need to be shod. If they will be turned out a lot or with other horses, only shoe them in front. This will prevent extra damage should the lesson horses have disagreements and get into a kick fest.
Keep your lesson horse on good footing; grass or sand. Many of them won’t need shoeing at all.
Vet Care
Keep vet bills down with regular worming and routine vet care. Take care of injuries as soon as they arise. Give your own shots and do your own worming.
Keep them sound for a long time
Use lesson horses correctly
Keep your beginning lesson horses as beginning lesson horses. Don’t turn them into show horses or jumpers past the beginners level
Tack
Make certain the horse's equipment fits well. Poorly fitting saddles can cause lameness that puts your horse out of lessons and may require a veterinarian.
Keep equipment clean. Again, dirty equipment can create sores and sores can keep your horse out of lessons which costs you money. I love leather equipment best, but If you don’t have time or the help to keep leather equipment clean and supple, buy synthetic. It weighs less and is easier for your horse to carry. A bonus: it costs less to purchase, too.
Use neck straps to aid beginners in balance and to protect the hrose's mouth.
If there is any horse in your stable who deserves to have the saddle pads that reduce concussion it’s your lesson horses. Invest in the equipment that will make your lesson horse’s job the easiest and the most comfortable.
Don’t Under Use Lesson Horses
I read of too many riding instructors who think their horses can only work one or two hours a day. This is fine if you’re only in teaching as a hobby but if your teaching is a business those lesson horses need to work. A well cared for, healthy lesson horse can work for 3 to 5 hours a day, IF you make a thoughtful plan. For example:
Plan your lessons out at least a week ahead of time using lesson plans so you control the type and length of the lesson your horses do
Rather than have every lesson be alike, develop a rotation of lesson types. Mixing up the activities (e.g.,seat work, games, indoor outdoor, pole work) to prevent overuse injuries and mental fatigue.
Incorporate unmounted lessons into your lesson program.
Rotate your lesson horses to prevent one horse from being over-worked.
Provide breaks/rest periods for the horse every two hours.
Offer water between lessons, especially during hot weather.
Leases
Frequently instructors will half lease a beginner who to a rider who is more accomplished. I don’t like leases or half leases for beginner horses unless the horse is currently under used in your program. You don’t have time to supervise a student during their lease riding time, so you do not have control over how hard they exercise the horse.
If you have a full lesson program, the half-lease won’t make you as much money as using the horse for a full load of lessons. Save leases for those oldies that you want to keep when their schedules are only part time.
Group Lessons
Group lessons do not make a single horse more economical to care for, but they have the potential to increase your income and to keep your lessons interesting.
Group lessons provide the opportunity for enhanced social interaction. Riding in groups helps students get used to navigating around other horses and riders, preparing them for busy arenas at horse shows or trail rides with their friends. Group lessons help develop spatial awareness, confidence, and independence.
Riders learn from each other, observe different riding styles, and gain insights from peers. They foster a sense of community and camaraderie among riders.
Groups can emphasize broader horsemanship skills, including horse care, stable management, games, and riding etiquette. Games that require more than on rider allow students to apply their skills in a fun, low-pressure setting, reinforcing learning and promoting muscle memory, while also fostering teamwork. Students have moments to practice skills independently, which can build their confidence and self-reliance. Observing peers and learning from their successes and mistakes can be invaluable for skill development.
Group lessons lower the cost for students because they’re typically more affordable, making riding accessible to more people, and instructors can increase profitability by teaching more students per session.
Sometimes
Sometimes it’s not that your beginner lesson division needs to make a profit. Rather the importance lays in what it does for other aspects of your business. Without the continual addition of beginner equestrians in our world, the won’t be advanced beginners, and then there will be even less intermediates, then few advanced riders. Beginners feed every single level of rider, and the last time I saw one come to a first ever lesson with their own horse was … well, never.
Thanks for reading this Riding Instructor blog!
Barbara Ellin Fox
https://TheRidingInstructor.net
