Adult Riding Lessons - The Equestrian Academy at Benbrook Stables
CLASSES ARE EVERY SUNDAY FROM 8am to10am
Ever wanted to learn how to ride like a pro, but wondered if it’s too late to get started? It’s not! Our adult's only riding classes and our new Sunday morning Adult Riding Academy are the perfect way to get started and check riding like a pro off your bucket list. Benbrook Stables has been teaching Adults to ride since 1957 and are here and ready to get you started today.
You are not alone in wishing you rode as a kid or wanting to get back in the saddle after being away for a while. Our adult riding classes give you the opportunity to surround yourself with other adults who have the same interest and passion for learning about the world of horses. Whether you are a beginner rider who has never been in the saddle before, an intermediate rider that needs to brush up on a few things or an advanced rider that needs to get some time in the saddle and even head out on the trails, Benbrook Stables has the perfect riding class for you.
Our amazing instructors will get you in the saddle your very first day. We don't stop at just teaching you how to ride, We believe in a comprehensive approach to teaching someone how to ride. In our classes, you will learn everything included with basic horsemanship, like tacking up your own horse, grooming, various riding techniques, proper blanketing, how to adjust and properly fit your bridle and saddle and how to feed and care for horses.
All of our riding lessons are taught by our experienced and highly skilled team of ranchers, life-long horsemen and professional instructors. They are passionate about sharing their knowledge of horses and riding with adults and kids alike and have extensive horsemanship knowledge to help you become the rider you have always wanted to be. Joining our Adult Equestrian Academy on Sunday mornings or signing up for our regular classes, you will enjoy time in the arena to learn arena skills and etiquette. You will also enjoy riding the lake trails so that you learn to navigate creeks, open pastures, roads, riding in groups and so much more. Its important to know both of these skills so that no matter where you are riding, you have the ability to ride with a great skill set, knowledge, and confidence.
Riding horses is a great way to strengthen your core, build better balance, gain greater confidence and experience an overall feeling of well being. Not to mention meeting new friends with similar interest. Horses and riding do as much for the soul as they do for the body. You will no doubt get more from the horses and being a part of Benbrook Stables Equestrian Academy than you ever expected.
Sixteen Great Reasons to Start Riding Today
The American Heart Association, lists six great reasons to get in the saddle
Cardiovascular health. A study commissioned on behalf of the British Horse Society found that horseback riding is indeed a good cardiovascular workout. Even just a half hour of riding is considered “moderate exercise,” said BHS PR executive Megan Hawkins, “while trotting exerts more energy than playing badminton.”
Core strength. Sitting tall, pushing your legs into the body of your horse ignites the core muscles, which are imperative for balance and posture.
Burning calories. In a Texas A&M University study, researchers focused on the amount of energy expended during high-intensity horseback riding. But you need not be roping cattle to burn calories. “Riding a horse for 45 minutes at a walk, trot and canter can burn up to 200 calories,” said Dr. Dennis Sigler, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horse specialist and professor in the department of animal science at Texas A&M University in College Station. “If you do something a bit more strenuous such as cutting or reining, that can come out to nearly seven calories per minute for the entire length of the riding period.” Plus, lifting a saddle onto and off the horse’s back, carrying buckets of hay and water to its stall, grooming -- all these burn plenty of calories.
Lowering blood pressure. One of the benefits of regular exercise is lowered blood pressure; horseback riding is exercise. Lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart disease. Plus just being around animals has been shown to do that as well.
Helping make decisions. While riding, you’re constantly deciding whether to speed up or slow down, what paths to avoid, when the horse and you need a break. That knowledge translates into the rest of your life, too.
Relaxing. The horse’s natural movement is calming; walk together and your bodies will be in sync. People who have participated in the American Heart Association’s Beach Ride know these benefits firsthand. The event marks its 40th anniversary this year and has raised more than $5 million for the AHA. “I just feel so happy when I'm riding,” said longtime Beach Ride participant Debby Rose. “It’s such a joy, whether I ride for 20 minutes or ride for an hour. I hop on my horse and enjoy God’s beauty.”
Health Fitness Revolution and author of the book ReSYNC Your Life Samir Becic:
List ten great reasons.
Keeps you physically active: Riding and other activities that require you to be outdoors in all kinds of weather will certainly keep you moving. Cleaning stalls, grooming, feeding, raking hay, pushing wheelbarrows – all of these barn chores actively burn calories and build muscle.
It builds self confidence: While horse riding is an independent sport, it’s actually a partnership in which the owner is a teacher and leader who works with the horse. Nothing builds self confidence better than “leadership training.” When you tell a 1,000-pound animal to move in a certain direction, and then to follow you, it’s a feeling of accomplishment that you successfully taught it to do that. And when the horse does not comply, you are responsible for administering the proper discipline. That’s a form of empowerment that’s only found working with large animals.
Reduces stress: Recent studies have shown that even limited interaction with animals may provide a decrease in blood pressure and in the hormones associated with stress reactions. Physical exercise is a scientifically recognized mediator of stress and it is clear that equine activities may provide exercise, again highlighting the potential for equine activities to reduce stress.
Keeps you socially active: Taking riding lessons helps you meet many friends with similar interests. Most horse people will attest to meeting their best, life-long friends at the barn. These peers will have the same passion and devotion to horses. That connection creates a stronger bond just in itself.
Helps disabled individuals stay active: When supervised by certified instructors, riders with disabilities may have the chance to safely perform physical activities with the horse as a tool. Early research is showing that riding a horse may provide physical benefits for people with disabilities. At the same time, interacting with horses may provide mental benefits, as well.
Engages the creative side of your brain: Training a horse brings up daily challenges that will force you to think creatively about how to train it and how to solve a particular problem. If something worked in the last lesson, but it’s not working now, how else can you solve this issue? Being faced with such situations helps you engage your creativity to solve problems and find what works best.
Builds character: Character building is a natural part of horse ownership, teaching responsibility, punctuality, sportsmanship, frugality, patience, commitment, confidence and self-esteem.
It promotes a union with nature: Being outside and enjoying the fresh air can do wonders for your mental and physical health. Plus, the dose of vitamin D you get from being in the sunshine is essential for your body.
Maintains bone mass: All of the weight-bearing exercise that you do, including hauling barn equipment and carrying saddles, helps maintain bone mass, which important as you age.
Improves digestion: Riding a horse at a walking pace stimulates the internal organs just as walking on foot does. This aids in liver function and digestion.
breeds, pics of our school horses with patient dispositions,
If you can not make our Sunday morning Equestrian Academy, you can easily schedule a lesson any day of the week. We are available seven days a week from 9am to 5pm for students of every age and riding abilities. Adults, kids, beginners, intermediate and advanced riders will learn something new with our amazing and talented instructors.
You will work with our team of instructors feeding the barns and the paddocks, learning different types of grains, supplements, grasses, and hays. How and why they are fed, how often horses eat, and how much they eat. They will teach you how the different grains are better suited for different horses. For instance, feeding an older mature horse is different from feeding a two year old. Whether we are trying to help one of our rescued horses and put weight on them through a planned diet or how to manage weight on an easy keeper who may be a little over weight, you will get to experience it all in a hands-on, fun, barn experience.
Teaching total horsemanship, means not only will you will be learning the correct posture, foot position, hand positions, and safety. You will also learn different arena games, like barrel patterns, flags, poles and arena etiquette. You will explore different steering techniques, such as riding with one handed or with both hands. We teach in a completely hands on environment.
We want to expose you to as much about horses as we can. Riding different horses each day so that you can experience a horse with a long stride, a short stride, even a gaited horse and a non gaited horse.
You will also learn how to ride in an english saddle, western saddle, and bareback (no saddle at all). There is so much to learn about horses, and this is the perfect place to start, or come and refresh what you once knew.
It is a great way to get outside, get some exercise and meet some great new friends wanting to learn about horses as well.
Classes will be held every Sunday from 8-10am. You can choose any 4 Sundays that work for your schedule. Beginning October 30th 2022.
For just $395 you will get 8 hours of hands-on instruction.
Daily lessons are $60 each for 45 minutes
Purchase a group of 5 lessons for just $275 and schedule at your convenience.
Enroll by calling our office at (817) 249 - 1001, or by visiting benbrookstables.com. Space is limited, so enroll now!
We cannot wait to share our love of horses with you.
