Riding Lessons                                    

     At Twin Oaks we specialize in riding instruction for beginning and intermediate riders.  We ride western style and offer help with breaking and training your own horse, fixing your horse, to showing Halter, Pleasure, Games, Trail, beginning reining, and introduction to cattle. 

If you are having trouble getting lead changes, or getting your horse to take his leads.

  Ground manners.  Ditch crossing or many other common problems I can help.  

Here are some of my beliefs and things you will learn in our program.

• There are as many ways to ride as there are disciplines…
• Each job requires you to position your body just a little differently, but you must always be in the center of your horse with your weight balanced in your legs, seat and upper body.  Being able to position your body is the single most important thing you will have to master.
• Heels down toes up. Head up and looking the direction you want to go.
• Your horse should have his head looking in the direction you want to go.
• For every action you take, your horse will have a reaction, good or bad. What I hope to teach you is what reaction you should get, things to do if you don’t, and that sometimes horses are unpredictable and all you can do is keep an open mind, and prepare yourself with enough knowledge to handle the situation, hang on, and there is always more to learn.
• Rather than teaching your horse to respond to pressure, I want you to learn how to teach him to seek the relief from pressure.

• You must be at the top of the pecking order. You must be the most respected creature in your horses’ world. 
• Know that when horses establish a pecking order in the herd, they do it with two hind feet to the gut.  Don't think you are going to hurt him by correcting him with the lead rope.
• Always be the leader, your horse will gladly follow you. 
• Watch your horse and learn to read what he/she is telling you. It will make the ride more enjoyable for both of you. 
• Learn to recognize things that will excite your horse and be prepared.
• Your horse must be soft and have vertical flexion to correctly accomplish most maneuvers.  This softness is also your emergency brake...1 rein stops…being able to pull your horses head around, will take away all his power when you can disengage his hips, this will put you back in control.
• Educate your hands. They need to learn that they come after your body when applying cues.
• Your horse knows how to walk, trot, canter, turn around, and do flying lead changes, what you have to learn is how to stay out of his way and move with him. Then learn cues that will communicate what you want your horse to do, that will accomplish the maneuver.
• The more you understand your horse and how he moves and thinks, the better rider you will be. Learn how to read your horse. Know when to take more time with him and when to be stern and correct him. Patience is a wonderful thing, but it can also cause problems of disrespect. Learn the difference.
• Be careful not to fall into a rut of acceptance, or make excuses, that fall short of your horses abilities.  Don't be afraid to ask and expect more. 

• Immediate release for a correct response is the key to teaching your horse. Consistent repetition is how horses learn. It takes at least 27 times 3 days in a row to start to sink in.  Be sure to give them enough time.
• The first time you teach something is the easiest. Do it right the first time its much harder to retrain a bad habit.
• Ride the horse you brought.  If your horse could not do something before you get to the show, he will not automatically know how to do what other horses are doing just because you rode him in the arena.  Don't try new things at the show go home and prepare first, then give it a try.  There is always going to be a first time, but you don't have to spring it on your horse at the show.

• Every time you or anyone is around your horse they are training the horse. Make sure what he is learning is a good habit.
• I believe you must continually remind your horse of good habits.
• The job must be easier than the correction.
• Horses minds work very simple. Because B followed A, A caused B.  This is a very useful thing to know when training a horse.
• Always listen to what the horse tells you instead of what people tell you about the horse.  The horse is more likely to tell you the truth.
• When choosing a horse make sure you pick one with the ability, conformation and training to do the job you have in mind. Never pick color first. Color is just a bonus.

• Don’t be afraid to try new things.
• No one can do the riding for you, you must earn the respect of the horse to ride him.
• You will have to earn the right to ride by understanding things from the horses perspective.
• If you learn nothing else from riding horses, learn to become a problem solver. If what you are doing is not working try something else, ask for help and keep trying. Work with your horse instead of fighting.  It will be a skill that you can take to any occupation you choose.
• Don't pick fights with your horse, sometimes it's better to quit for the day and try again tomorrow.

• Your attitude can change, choose to keep it positive, remember no one can ruin your day without your permission.  Horses can tell when you are nervous or upset, stay calm and rhythmic with your movements and voice. 
• Reading and dealing with horses is very helpful when you get out into the world and have to do the same with people, it’s like learning to communicate without any language at all.
• REMEMBER when something goes wrong between you and your horse always look to yourself first to find fault!!
• Horses require ambition, a plan, and perserverance.

Have the Attitude, to gain the Confidence, to acquire Knowledge, to earn Respect.

Joyce Fox

Rates are $20.00/hr.  Call for group/club rates.

We provide the horse and tack or you can bring your own. 

Auditing is welcome and free.

Call to schedule your times.  660-548-3023 leave a message.

Riding lessons are also a great gift.  We have gift certificates.

All riders and auditors must sign release.  

Warning

Under Missouri law an equine professional is not liable for an

injury to or death of a participant in equine activities resulting from

the inherent risks of equine activities pursuant to the revised statutes of Missouri.

Missouri Equine Council

1-800-313-3327

Our trails are great for training horses for trail riding, or testing to see if you have a problem fixed.  Pictures below:

There are several shallow ponds that are great for water crossing training.

Ditches to cross, I have a small bridge in the summer for training.

Trails with down trees and hills and banks to go up and down.