At Cornerstone, we believe that it is extremely important to create good horse-people, not just good riders. We want our students to be able to handle the horses from the ground, as well as from their backs. Horsemanship includes being able to catch, lead, groom, tack, bathe, and handle your horse in any given situation. The relationship and the respect between a rider and a horse is built just as much when the rider is on the ground as it does when the rider is on the horse’s back. Beginning riders are started out learning these skills at the foundation level. They need to feel in control on the ground and then we will start lessons on horseback. Generally, lessons with beginners start on the lunge line and this allows the instructor to have better control over the horse’s speed and direction and allows the student to focus on their balance and position. Once the student feels that they are in control of their own bodies while on the horse, then they begin learning how to control the horse’s body. The basics at walk and trot are taught first and then depending on the rider’s drive, goals, and natural ability we will then work on the canter, ground poles, and jumps.

Our instructors are available for lessons 6 days a week. Our lesson school is closed on Sunday. Our instructors each teach full-time and can be available mornings, evenings, and on Saturday. Please see our Price List for our current rates and contact us for a barn tour or an evaluation lesson.

The lesson horses in our school are chosen by Cornerstone Instructors based primarily on their temperament and abilities. Each horse must be adaptable to having different riders on them, must be quiet and confident in new situations, and must be forgiving of their riders making mistakes. Our horses meet and exceed our requirements in these areas. The level of the rider determines the horse that they are given to ride and the instructor has the final say over this match. Each of our lesson horses are available for lease for the day at Horse Shows or monthly at the barn. Even though we go to great lengths to make sure that our horses are well trained, safe partners for our students they are still animals. Horseback riding is the only sport where an athlete is partnered with an animal and asked to perform. So we must always keep in mind that horses are naturally flight animals and no matter how many years of training they have to do a specific task, they still have the instinct to flee when frightened. It is because of this that when working around the horse we need to remember to be calm and assertive to keep from making the horse fearful of a situation.

Here's a list of our lesson horses, their specifics and specialties!