New Student Page
To schedule lessons click the Riding Portal to be redirected to our online booking system.
Once you have created your account in the portal you can then download the app to your phone for ease of access.
Available by searching for EC Pro in the app store
A 24 HOUR cancellation notice must be given to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson time. NO EXCEPTIONS
We understand emergencies and illnesses come up, however, our instructors and facility depend on the filling of the slots to operate.
Once you have created your account in the portal you can then download the app to your phone for ease of access.
Available by searching for EC Pro in the app store
A 24 HOUR cancellation notice must be given to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson time. NO EXCEPTIONS
We understand emergencies and illnesses come up, however, our instructors and facility depend on the filling of the slots to operate.
Welcome New Students!
All Ages 6 & up
All levels of experience
All Levels of Western
Reining
Hunter Seat lessons Only available for Students that own their own horse
Reputable References
Need A Hand’s riding lesson program offers a unique opportunity for students to participate in our “Level Up” riding program. New students may join every 8 weeks through our NEW STUDENT 8 week Series. This 8 week series is paid for in advance and lessons are NON-REFUNDABLE. This course is offered at a discounted rate of $300 for 8 lessons.
New students with previous riding experience may need to schedule a Private 1 hr evaluation prior to joining groups, so that we can accurately place them in the lesson environment that is best suited for their individual needs and riding goals. Students with NO prior riding experience or limited experience should join our NEW STUDENT 8 Week Series.
Students then take weekly riding lessons that are specifically designed to assist them in progressing through our Level Up riding program. Through periodic skill testing, students are able to advance to higher riding levels based on evaluation of skills mastered.
Our Level Up riding program gives students S. M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and in a Timely manner) goals to aid in their riding progress. Parents can see the advancement of their child as each new skill is mastered and checked off their list.
To aid in the instruction of our students, lessons are broken down into several categories to help each student get the most out of their time in the saddle and while working with horses.
First, lessons are broken down into two categories; Educational and Competition. Next, they are separated by riding level. Our levels range from 1-3 in each of the following categories: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. Finally, we designate our lessons based on age. This allows us to structure our lessons in a way that will best benefit all our students according to their learning development, styles, and needs.
New Students
New students should first create an account and join one of the 8 week courses via the Riding Portal or schedule a Private 1 hr riding lesson via phone/email. After the initial lesson, a riding plan will then be discussed as to whether the student is ready for group lessons or should remain in private lessons. For those students with previous experience and who are ready to join a group lesson the evaluator will assign a riding level which will allow access to available group lessons in our Riding Portal. Students who have NO previous riding experience will need to participate in our 8 week NEW STUDENT SERIES. New students will need to wear a collared shirt, jeans or riding pants, riding boots with a heel and a helmet. Students are required to provide their own riding helmets. Failure to have the correct equipment may result in delayed riding. Students will not be allowed to ride if they do not have proper foot wear or helmet.
What you can expect during our New Student course?
1st Lesson: Barn tour and introduction, Instruction on safety rules, Catching and Haltering, Grooming, Tacking
2nd Lesson: Review of previous lesson, additional instruction on grooming and tacking as needed
3rd-8th Lesson: Mastering the skills of haltering, grooming, tacking. Intro to Mounting/Dismounting with riding instruction on start, stop, steering at walk and trot.
Private Lesson (lessons for training rides, 1-1 instruction, New Student evaluation & introductions, B1 Level Riding Students)
$80/1 HR
Group Lessons
$40/hr. 2-6 riders, lessons are designated by assigned riding level
Beginner B2-B3, Intermediate I1-I3, Advanced A1-A3
Educational Lessons-
Recreation lessons are designed to teach students the basic of horsemanship knowledge providing them with a solid foundation in horse handling, horse care and riding. Students participating in our recreational lessons will move up through our Level Up program acquiring the specific skills needed to become knowledge independent equestrians. These lessons are geared towards students who are new to horses and/or riders learning to ride for the sole purpose of enjoying what horses have to offer. Once students have the skills and experience required for competition, they may then advance to our competition lessons. Students are not pressured to compete at Need A Hand. We have designed our program to help meet the individual goals of our students. Whether that be learning to ride for leisure, gain skills to pursue horse ownership, or pursue the benefits of the Team Need A Hand competition team.
Only available with prior approval.
Competition Lessons-
Our competition lessons are designed with the competitive equestrian in mind. Riders will work through the Level Up curriculum, competition lessons will target developing mental focus, performance under pressure, and honing the finer details of equitation and horsemanship necessary to win in the competition arena. Students will develop maturity in working through personal challenges and hearing constructive criticism in pursuit of their competition dreams. To participate in these lessons riders must have preapproval and be a member of Team Need A Hand or own their own horse that they intend to show. Competition lessons are designed to give special attention to the refined skills and dedication it takes to be successful in the arena. Riding should always be fun and safe. Our goal is to help our students hone acquired skills and bring out their talents to be successful equestrians in the show pen.
Equipment needed for lessons
Helmet (NAH no longer has helmets for use)
Jeans or long pants, Shirt with a collar (polo) or NAH Barn Gear, arms covered (short or long sleeve), Boots with a heel
For winter riding a snug fitting jacket and riding gloves. (knit gloves cause reins to slip and are not recommended)
Examples of proper riding attire are shown below.
Helmet (NAH no longer has helmets for use)
Jeans or long pants, Shirt with a collar (polo) or NAH Barn Gear, arms covered (short or long sleeve), Boots with a heel
For winter riding a snug fitting jacket and riding gloves. (knit gloves cause reins to slip and are not recommended)
Examples of proper riding attire are shown below.
Ride-Need-A-Hand online store
New store options coming soon for NAH Barn Swag!
Lesson Policies and Forms
To help answer the most common questions regarding lessons just click on our Lesson Policy Form to access the barn rules, cancellation and payment policies
You can also access our riding release to print out and sign before your first lesson
Click here for a Riding Release Form
To help answer the most common questions regarding lessons just click on our Lesson Policy Form to access the barn rules, cancellation and payment policies
You can also access our riding release to print out and sign before your first lesson
- To schedule lessons click on the Riding Portal via the website to be redirected to our online booking system. Once you have created your account in the portal you can then download the app to your phone for ease of access. Available by searching for EC Pro in the app store
- Sign up for text notifications by texting @NAHBARN to 81010
- A 24 HOUR cancellation notice must be given to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson time. NO EXCEPTIONS We understand emergencies and illnesses come up, however, our instructors and facility depend on the filling of the slots to operate. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
- All students will be required to provide their own riding helmet. Due to insurance policies we will no longer provide helmets to students. Helmets can be purchased locally at Horseman's Supply (which is just before our barn on the right), Tractor Supply Company, Rutherford County Farmers Co-Op, Dover Saddlery in Franklin, or purchased online. I suggest buying a practice helmet that can be adjusted in the back for proper fit. These can generally be prepurchase from $40-50. It should be noted that anytime a rider takes a fall or if the helmet is dropped it should be replaced as the integrity of the helmet could be compromised.
- All students will need to wear a collared shirt with sleeves (short or long) while attending lessons. Our barn store is open for anyone interested in purchasing a Team NAH polo or NAH barn gear. Polos or button down shirts are okay. We are making this change in attempt to keep our riding program uniform and eliminate improper clothing while riding.
- We encourage parent involvement and we want you to be here while your kids are learning and interacting with horses. For the safety of our students, we are now asking parents to either wait in their car or ringside until their student is riding. There is to much congestion in the grooming and tacking area which distracts students and could cause injury to spectators. Our Pit Crew is on staff each day for lessons and will be assisting riders with any grooming or tacking needs they may have.
- ABSOLUTELY no open toed shoes are allowed past the front door. This applies to parents, riders, siblings or any guest. This is for your protection and ours. Riders must have proper footwear to ride. NO rubber boots or dress boots. Riders need approved riding boots with a heel. Dress boots generally do not have a large enough heel to keep the foot from slipping through the stirrup and rubber boots have a sole that is often abrasive preventing the foot to slip out easily while dismounting.
- Please read over our lesson policy and Barn rules to help answer additional questions regarding lessons.
Click here for a Riding Release Form
Web Hosting by iPage