riding portal

​​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 US 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!

Program Overview
We have transitioned to a semester-based program to ensure consistency and progression for our students. Lessons are now booked via riding courses tailored to individual riding levels. This approach allows us to streamline our teaching and maintain each student’s lesson spot for the entire semester.

Semester Schedule (Openings for New Students are only available at the beginning of the semester)

• Fall: August 19 - December 19
• Spring: January 6 - May 16
• Summer: June 1 - July 31 (Limited schedule due to camps and shows)

Registration and Scheduling
All lessons must be booked through our Riding Portal on EC Pro US.

 A video tutorial is available to assist with scheduling.
Booking Courses: https://youtu.be/n6he620QsHY
Booking Private Lessons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4qICh8aJwg

Lesson Options

1. Course Bookings
   • Non-refundable and reserve your spot for the entire semester.
   • Monthly make-up lessons are available for missed sessions.
   • Free additional classroom lesson each month (must be reserved in advance).
2. Private Lessons
   • Offered in 60-minute sessions (ieal for new students & evaluations) or 30-minute (Horse owners & experienced riders).
   • Suitable for new students, evaluations, horse owners, and current students.
   • 24-hour cancellation policy to receive a credit back to the rider’s account.
   • Booked via the Riding Portal.
3. Group Lessons
   • Limited availability for single-lesson bookings.
   • Listed under group lessons when available. Only for students currently enrolled in NAH program.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

• A 24-hour cancellation notice is required to receive a lesson credit added to your account.
• Cancellations can be managed through the Riding Portal.

Lesson Fees

• Private Lessons:
  • $90 per hour
  • $45 per half-hour
• Group Lessons: (courses are priced at group lesson rate)
  • $45 per hour
    
    
    

Stay Connected

• EC Pro US App: Download to receive lesson notifications and easily access your account.
• Remind Text Notifications: Text @NAHBarn to 81010 for lesson cancellation updates.
• Facebook Page: Like our page for the latest news and events at Need A Hand Horse Training Facebook Page.

​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 with previous riding experience may need to schedule a Private 1 hr evaluation prior to joining Courses, 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/Beginner Level 1 Course.

Students 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, group 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 Beginner Level 1 courses via the Riding Portal or schedule a Private 1 hr riding lesson if the course deadline has passed. 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 Beginner Level 1 course. 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 can you expect during our New Student Beginner Level 1 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-........ Lesson: Mastering the skills of haltering, grooming, tacking. Intro to Mounting/Dismounting with riding instruction on start, stop, steering at walk and trot.
 
Courses
Courses are offered each semester based on each students riding level. Upon completion of each course riders participate in our Level UP Skill evaluation. This allows students to demonstrate their readiness to Level UP to the next course. Courses are broken down as follows: Beginner Levels: B1, B2, B3; Intermediate Levels: I1, I2, I3 & Advanced Levels: A1, A2, A3
Courses begin at the start of each semester. August -December, January-May  

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.

---

Need A Hand Equestrian Program: Lesson Policy and Barn Rules
​General Rules

1. No Dogs Allowed: No dogs are permitted at Need A Hand or at any team events or shows.
2. Respect: All students and patrons must respect barn rules and treat each person with respect and kindness. Disrespect, rudeness, vulgarity, or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in being asked to leave the facility.
3. Supervision: No riders under the age of 15 may ride alone without parental supervision, a guardian present, or a trainer.

Attire

1. Riding Attire:
   • Riders must wear jeans, breeches, or half chaps. No riding in shorts, cutoffs, or short pants.
   • Riding boots with a heel must be worn at all times. No sandals, tennis shoes, or flip-flops are allowed when handling horses. Tennis shoes may be worn in the barn area but not while handling horses.
   • Riders must wear a shirt with a collar. No spaghetti strap shirts, low-cut tops, or tank tops. Shoulders, cleavage, and midsection must be covered.
2. Helmet Policy: Riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet when mounted or ground handling a horse.
3. Personal Helmets: All students must provide their own riding helmet due to insurance policies. Helmets can be purchased locally or online, with adjustable helmets priced around $40-50 recommended. Replace helmets after a fall or if dropped to ensure safety.
4. Collared Shirts: All students must wear a collared shirt with sleeves (short or long) during lessons. Our barn store offers Team NAH polos and other gear.

Safety and Facility Use

1. Gates and Doors: Always keep every gate closed. Turn off all lights when leaving the barn and keep the front door closed.
2. Tack and Equipment:
   • Clean and store all tack properly after each ride.
   • Only use grooming tools, halters, leads, and tack assigned to each specific horse. Ask barn management if a horse does not have assigned supplies.
3. Cooling Down Horses: After riding, every horse needs to be cooled down, groomed properly, have feet picked, and water bucket refilled.
4. Tying Horses: Only tie horses in designated grooming areas and tie areas by the outdoor round pen. Do not tie horses to stalls, doors, or in the hallway. If no tie area is available, have someone hold your horse.
5. Supervised Riding: Riders should arrive at the barn 15–20 minutes before their lesson to groom and tack up their horse if they are confident enough to handle the horse with minimal supervision. Parents may drop off riders no more than 30 minutes before their lesson and should pick them up promptly at the end of the lesson.

Cleanliness and Maintenance

1. Clean Up:
   • Clean up after your horse and yourself immediately. There are trash containers, shovels, brooms, and muck buckets available for disposal.
   • Do not leave manure in wheelbarrows. Dump full muck buckets at the manure pile or in the manure spreader.
   • Manure disposal area is for manure only. Dispose of hay strings, paper, water bottles, or trash in garbage cans.
2. Lights and Gates: Turn off the lights in the arena if you are the last person riding. Always keep every gate closed.

Other Rules

1. Lesson Cancellations: A 24-hour cancellation notice is required to avoid being charged for a scheduled lesson. No exceptions. Cancellations can be managed through the Riding Portal. You will receive an email notification for weather-related cancellations. If you have signed up for Remind text notifications, a text will also be sent.
2. Parent Involvement: Parents are encouraged to be involved but should wait in their car or ringside until their child is riding to avoid congestion in the grooming and tacking area. Our Pit Crew will assist riders with grooming and tacking needs.
3. Restricted Areas: Do not play on/in shavings, hay, or in the hay storage area. No climbing on gates, fences, or equipment.
4. Treats for Horses: Do not give treats to horses other than your own unless approved by the owner.
5. Unattended Horses: Do not leave your horse unattended in any area, including the riding arena or grooming areas.
6. Guest Riders: Only the owner of the horse may ride the horse. If another person wishes to ride, notify the office and have the additional rider fill out a release of liability form. Leave a note on file allowing permission for the additional rider. Minors need a note from a parent/guardian granting permission.
7. Open-Toed Shoes: No open-toed shoes are allowed past the front door. This applies to parents, riders, siblings, or any guests. Riders must have proper riding boots with a heel. No rubber boots or dress boots.

Contact InformationFor any questions or concerns, please contact Courtney Smith at:

• Email: CourtneySmith8386@gmail.com
• Text/Call: 423-309-8386

Thank you for adhering to our barn rules and ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all.

Lesson Policy & Barn Rules Form

​Click here for a Riding Release Form 

Weather PolicyAt Need A Hand Horse Training, we prioritize the safety of our students and horses. To minimize cancellations, we offer ground and classroom lessons when riding conditions are unsafe due to weather or footing in the arenas.
Notification of Cancellations

• Email Notification: You will receive an email notification at the address provided in your account.
  
• Text Notification: If you are signed up for our Remind text notifications, a text will also be sent.
  

Conditions for CancellationsLessons may be canceled due to:

• Severe weather conditions
  
• Temperatures below freezing
  
• Heat index above 100°F
  

We strive to provide timely updates and ensure that all students and parents are informed of any changes to the lesson schedule.