Horse Riding Lessons

Trailhead Stables, a nonprofit, offers horse riding lessons for children and adults in the Paonia, Colorado, and North Fork region. We strive to make English riding lessons accessible for everyone willing to learn.

At Trailhead Stables, riding begins and continues with the basics. We collaboratively nurture a strong relationship and foundation between horse and rider to ensure safe and kind interactions. While riding should be fun it is also hard work. Our horses work hard, we should as well. The little things matter, and with grace, patience, and relationship, there is no limit to what you and your horse can do, together.

Our success depends on understanding that riding is more than just going fast. When we incorporate the physical, emotional, and mental components of our complex horses, we build and build off a strong foundation of safety, trust, and compassion. It takes time to develop this relationship, and when we do so skillfully, our riding blossoms.

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Mission

To provide safe, effective, and loving horseback riding instruction to people and horses.

Our Horse Team.

We love people, and we love horses. That's what we are all about.

Meet our horses. We couldn't do this without them!

Jose

Rosa

Chaco

Bob Ross

Do you provide instruction for youth and adults?

Yes, we offer safe, engaging, and relationship-based riding instruction for ages 6-99.
What does a typical lesson look like?

Lessons begin about 15 minutes before your designated riding lesson time with grooming and tacking up the horse. Once in the arena, every ride begins with a warm up. Following the warm up, the horse and rider are presented with a new concept/exercise. Finally, the horse is given around 10 minutes of cool down at the walk with a long rein. The rider is then expected to untack, groom, put away the horse, and put away the tack.
Lesson Logistics

Riding lessons are for 1 hour. However, we encourage riders to show up 15 minutes early to groom/tack and set aside 15 minutes after the lesson to untack/groom. Please plan accordingly to ensure you get the most out of your lesson.
How much do lessons cost?

Group lessons (2-3 riders) are $25 for an hour of instruction. Private 1-1 lessons. To make riding accessible no matter what your financial situation is, we offer a flexible payment scale including three options: $25 | $35 | $45. We ask that you pay what you can, and if you can afford to pay more, this helps us offer a lower rates for those who cannot. Thank you.
When are lessons offered?

Lessons are offered Tuesday - Saturday 9 am - 7 pm. You can now book by contacting us.
What you can expect on your riding journey with us.

Riders can expect specific and technical instruction as they work their way from walk to trot then canter and, finally, jump (if they’d like). If requested, we offer ground lessons as well. As a part of the riding lesson each student is expected to groom the horse they ride and care for the tack they use. As your skills, confidence, and relationship with your horse develop, we will fine tune basics and support you to reach your riding goals!