Y Adventure offers a variety of equine experiences year-round
Whether you are an experienced rider or just starting, there are plenty of opportunities to spend time on and around horses — including group rides, retreats, classes, and horseback riding lessons.
Horseback Riding Lessons
Group Lessons
Ages 8+
YMCA of the North offers comprehensive one-hour horse lessons with group sizes between three and six participants. During Western Horseback Riding Lessons, participants will learn riding skills in a fun, relaxed, and supportive atmosphere. Lessons go beyond just riding. You may learn how to catch your horse, lead, groom, tack up, ride, and care for your horse. Our instructors and assistants will guide you through the process, emphasizing safe horse handling practices on the ground and in the saddle.
How It Works
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Lessons are offered in six-week or five-week sessions.
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Participants register for a day and will be assigned a one-hour lesson on the weekday they registered for. For example, a participant may be assigned to a 12:00 p.m. time slot on the Saturday they registered for.
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Participants will be grouped based on age and skill level to ensure a consistent riding experience.
*Some locations may require a skills assessment before being placed into a lesson group.
Semi-Private Riding Lessons
Age 6+
Semi-Private Lessons are available for a more individualized and flexible lesson experiences. Semi-Private Lessons are an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to start their horse-riding journey, further their current experience, or continue practicing the skills you have started learning during other horse experiences. Lesson content will vary as we strive to meet each rider where they are in their riding lesson journey. Lessons have a maximum of three participants, and scheduling can be flexible and coordinated with our horse instructors.
* These lessons are often offered in the winter to allow indoor riding space and weather flexibility.
More Horse Experiences
Trail Rides
Age 10+
Join us for this “open saddle” horse experience, where you’ll spend time with up to 10 riders and receive instruction and guidance from barn staff. Prior riding experience is preferred so that most of the time can be spent enjoying a trail ride.
Private Group Rides
Schedule and customize your own group horseback riding experience! Customized rides will allow you to choose the length of your ride and riding trail vs. arena riding. Great for families, birthday parties, scout troops, homeschool groups, schools, teams and more! Submit an email inquiry to learn more and schedule your ride!
Horse Retreats
YMCA of the North offers multiple day and overnight retreats focusing on horseback riding experiences every year!
Horse Camps
Horse Camp can be experience at during Summer Day Camp, Summer Overnight Camp, and Adventure Days.
Homeschool Horse Classes
The Y offers horse homeschool classes in a variety of formats. See our Outdoor Learning page for all our homeschool opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
All participants should wear long pants, and we recommend wearing heeled leather shoes or boots. All riders must wear a helmet provided by the riding location.
In addition to following the policy above, please dress for the weather. During cold weather sessions, please wear warm gear such as warm socks with boots, snowpants, jacket, hat, mittens, and so forth.
Weather conditions may limit or prevent riding time during horse programs. Instructors will supplement program time with alternative equine education and activities when riding, limiting weather occurs. If a program day were to be canceled due to weather, you would receive an email, phone call, or both.
Most of our Horseback riding programs, outside of day or overnight camps, are NOT a drop off program. There should be an adult accompanying participants under the age of 16.
Making adventure more accessible
Everyone deserves access to programs and services that help them reach their full potential. That's why we offer need-based financial assistance to help people participate in our programs regardless of their income.
Here to Help
Have a question or need assistance?
Our customer service team is always happy to help.