• Half an hour instruction + Half an hour trail ride
• Private Lessons
• Group Classes
• Packages – Buy 9 Get 1 Free (save 10%) or Buy 5 and get 1 at 25% off Package (save 5%)
• Girl Scouts / Boy Scouts – patches, belt loops, pins, badges
• Half Day and Full Day Camps Year Round
• Days, Times and Locations To Be Determined Subject to Availability|
• ALL RIDES ARE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
  Walk-Up Riders Cannot Be Accommodated
  We do not book rides via phone.
  Please use the online ride request form.
  Requests via the form are given priority.
  Request a Ride > https://forms.gle/keDayu96BjdmhRK38

TERMS & CONDITIONS – POLICIES & PROCEDURES

All rides are by appointment only. Because of our riding and working schedule, we are rarely near our phone. We have very limited availability for same days and walk ins.
All rides must be requested through https://forms.gle/keDayu96BjdmhRK38 at least 24 hours in advance.
Open 7 days a week – Hours are Seasonal
Questions? (rates, locations, days, times, etc): skye.ds@gmail.com or 512-269-6309 (TEXT IS BEST)
Days, Times and Locations To Be Determined, Subject to Availability
We are a smoke free, alcohol free, drug free environment. For the safety and security of our horses and our riders, at our discretion, we reserve the right to refuse any potential rider, at any time, with no refund given.

Same Day Walk Ins (additional fee)
Our riding lessons are by appointment only, however sometimes we are able to accommodate same day walk in riding lessons in our schedule. Because of the surprise of same day walk in riders and the impact that they have in the routine running of our stables, there is an extra fee when riders arrive without an appointment. Please understand that we may not always be able to accommodate same day walk ins. Subject to availability.

Credit Card and Debit Surcharge (additional fee)
We get charged fees by Credit Card accepting services. We are unable to take on the entirety of these fees alone, as a result we need to charge fees to all of our clients paying by credit cards. 3.25 – 3.75% additional fee

Private Lessons (additional fee)
Sometimes our riders would just like to keep the riding group to themselves. Because our semi private riding classes average between 4 – 6 riders, we require that an extra fee be paid for the right to these private lessons in order to exclude other riders requesting a riding lesson at the same time. Private lessons less than 6 people may not be booked on weekends during peak season. Subject to availability.

Holiday Rides (additional fee)
Additional fees on federal holidays
subject to availability

Automatic Gratuity for 5 or more riders (additional fee) and Group Discounts for Non Profits Only
At this time, we only offer group discounts to Non Profit Groups. Because it takes significantly more work and extra staff to ensure safety and clarity of instructions for any group of 5 or more people we do not offer group discounts other than Non Profit Groups. This is also why we require a group gratuity for any group of 5 or more people. Tips are always appreciated.

RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT:

We accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, Paypal, cashapp, venmo, facebook, google, samsung/android and business checks. No Personal Checks. Gift Certificates are available. We are unable to take reservations over the phone, due to our riding and working schedule. Please Request a Ride > https://forms.gle/keDayu96BjdmhRK38

We must receive reservation requests and payment at least 24 hours in advance. The reservation request form enables you to request a reservation but in no way guarantees the availability of a reservation. No reservation is confirmed until you receive an email confirmation from Skye confirming that you have been added to our calendar. The more information you can give us about your schedule, the riding abilities of your group (or lack thereof), and any special needs you may have, the better we will be able to help make your ride the perfect experience.

PAYMENT
We accept cash, credit cards, debit cards, Paypal, cashapp, venmo, facebook, google, samsung/android and business checks. No Personal Checks. Gift Certificates are available. Payment is due in full at the time of booking. We do not hold your reservation until payment is received. For cash payment on arrival, please see “Same Day Walk Ins.”  Please understand that larger parties may need to be split into multiple groups based on the number of horses available. Most classes are semi private and consist of 4 – 6 riders at one time. With enough prior notice, on certain days, in certain locations, with riders of certain ages, we can accommodate groups of up to 8 – 12 riders per class.  All reservations are non-refundable unless Skye reschedules due to weather.  While we do not offer refunds on cancellations, we do offer reschedules. Please let us know as soon as possible. Prices are per rider.

REFUND POLICY
Absolutely NO REFUNDS. This time has been reserved specifically for you which prevents someone else from riding at this time. We are a small family business and cannot absorb the loss of revenue for refunds when riders change their minds. We try to make everyone happy, but it is impossible to please everyone. Once you have sat in the saddle you have agreed to the location, atmosphere, the horse, the guides, the equipment, and everything about the ride. Horseback riding is classified as a “RUGGED ADVENTURE RECREATIONAL SPORT ACTIVITY.” We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason we deem appropriate, for the safety of our guests, staff, or property. We further reserve the right to alter, modify, or cancel a ride due to bad weather, unsafe conditions, or requests made by governmental, park, or state agencies. The location of the ride may change, and you will be notified of such changes. All prices and availability of rides are subject to change without notice.

CANCELLATIONS AND RESCHEDULES
No refunds on Cancellations. Vouchers subject to forfeiture.
We do allow reschedules with 36 hours written notice to skye.ds@gmail.com or 512-269-6309.
Reschedule requests with less than 36 hours written notice will be charged a 25% reschedule fee on a case by case basis at our discretion.
No Call / No Shows – If you do not show up for your ride, and you have not rescheduled – no refunds, vouchers subject to forfeiture.
Reschedules will not be taken over the phone. You will have 6 months to reschedule and use your purchased ride. Must be comparable ride / comparable price.

MISSED RIDES
In the event that a rider needs to miss a ride, a minimum of 36 hours written notice to skye.ds@gmail.com or 512-269-6309 is required. Notice will not be taken over the phone. We ask that if you need to reschedule, please do so as soon as possible. There will be No Refunds on Cancellations. Vouchers are subject to forfeiture. We set aside our schedules for you. This time was reserved specifically for you, preventing someone else from riding at this time. We are a small family business and can’t absorb the loss of revenue for refunds when riders change their minds.

PLEASE BE ON TIME
Please come 5-10 minutes before your ride. If you are late, it cuts time off your ride. We may even leave without you altogether. All rides will begin promptly on time and end on time in order to maintain schedule for previous and following lessons and rides. If you are more than 5 – 10 minutes late, we will consider you to have a Missed Ride, which may be Rescheduled or Cancelled with No Refund at our discretion. Vouchers are subject to forfeiture.

WEATHER
In case of rain, bring close fitting rain gear that is not floppy nor loose. Because weather and ground conditions are unpredictable, we honor “rain checks”. Rain checks are offered at our discretion only. If we deem the weather or ground conditions to be unsafe, we will offer to reschedule your ride for another time that is most convenient for you. In case of bad weather or unsafe conditions, please call or text Skye at 512-269-6309 to confirm whether the ride will still take place on the day, time and location as originally scheduled, or whether there will be a change in day, time or location. Unless we communicate to you otherwise, riders should expect to ride, and all policies concerning refunds, no shows, missed rides, reschedules and cancellations will apply.

TIPS:
Our Teachers are dedicated to you having a safe and enjoyable experience, and they appreciate your thanks, it is part of their compensation. While tips are not expected, and tips are not included in the base price of lessons, they are appreciated so very much.  We recommend 15%, 18% or 20%, especially for groups of 6 or more. Your teachers are unsung heroes. In addition to Teachers, they are storytellers and skilled athletes with a true passion for sharing what they love. We put our lives in their hands, and they put their lives at risk for us. It’s easy to factor in the time spent in class, but many of us forget to factor in all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into teaching. When teachers are exceptional, the work looks effortless. But these are just some of the hats they wear: feeding, grooming, tack, training, conflict resolution specialist. Did my teacher take interest in me as a person? Did my teacher go out of his or her way to make sure I had a great time? Was my teacher skilled in what s/he did? Did s/he have good knowledge and did s/he share it? Did she have a strong service ethic? Was it clear that their actions were focused on our having a superb experience? Find your teacher, shake hands, and say thanks. Then, place the cash in the palm of your teacher’s hand and let him or her know who it is from – individual, family, entire group. Whether or not you tip, please give your teacher feedback. If you forget to tip or run out of money, ask us about using a credit/debit card or paypal (although cash is easier for your teachers.)

WHAT TO WEAR:
long pants –
All riders are required to wear long pants to avoid bruising. Pants should be comfortable and either loose fitting or stretch material to allow for leg and hip flexibility.
Not Suggested: Capris, Windbreakers, Snowpants.
Not Allowed: shorts of any kind

Boots or sneakers required – closed toe – closed heel.
Sandals, clogs and open-toed shoes are not allowed.
Preferred: stiff soled shoes and boots with a heel.
Accepted: Rubber boots, Hiking boots, Work boots, Low heel Dress boots.
Not Suggested but Allowed: Sneakers.
Not Allowed: Canvas Shoes or Keds, Shoes that do not cover the entire foot, sandals, KEEN sandals

bug spray
sunscreen
be prepared for the weather – for example, close fitting / not floppy rain gear, sunglasses, hat, coat, scarf, gloves
Only Bring with you what you need and pack light.
Ask yourself: “Will I really need this? Is there a chance I could drop it and lose it?”

HELMETS:
NEVER TRUST YOUR HEAD IN SOMEONE ELSE’S HANDS (Cautionary Note about Loaner Helmets)
We strongly recommend helmets of any kind. Any helmet is better than no helmet.
We do not require helmets.We do not provide Loaner Helmets.
Why we do not provide loaner helmets – loaner helmets are not safe for a number of reasons:
Helmets must be fine tuned to fit different head shapes – oval or round shape. We cannot guarantee proper fit.
Helmets must be replaced every five years or after an accident. This is largely based on use, exposure to the elements and treatment of the helmet. However, due to evolving helmet standards, technologies and the potential for unseen material deterioration, it is recommended that helmets be replaced at least every five years from the date of purchase. Any helmet involved in an accident needs to be replaced immediately. Helmets are only designed for one impact. We know whether our helmets are less than 5 years old, and whether or not they have been in accidents, but you do not.
Avoid using loaner helmets. As a savvy rider, you want to know exactly what kind of treatment your helmet has experienced during its entire lifespan so you can knowledgeably assess its integrity over time. (never mind the risk of spreading head lice)
http://www.helmets.org/general.htm

SAFETY!!!
WARNING! UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), A FARM ANIMAL PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR THE DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES.
WAIVER – PLEASE READ!!!WRITTEN RESERVATION REQUEST, PAYMENT AND PARTICIPATION SHALL CONSTITUTE AGREEMENT TO THE RIDING LIABILITY RELEASE FORM.

BE SURE TO VISIT OUR FAQ PAGE!

ALL ABOUT RIDING LESSONS – Where Do You Want to Go Today?

We offer lessons to children, adults and seniors in a safe and instructional environment. Our experience is one that mingles the fun of horseback riding with learning about riding skills, horse behavior and general riding information. Classes are carefully crafted and custom tailored to each individual’s riding level (novice, beginner, intermediate, strong intermediate, advanced). Classes are at least one hour long. Classes include at least one half hour of trail ride in addition to riding level appropriate ground instruction.

We teach youth and adults looking to improve their riding skills, learn proper English and Western riding styles and apply their riding to real-life situations in the arena and on trail. We teach kids 3 – 7 years old who want to learn how to be comfortable and in control around horses, and we provide equine assisted therapy to differently abled riders. No rider is so differently abled that they can’t enjoy horses. We regularly work with differently abled individuals with varying adaptions to adapt the sport of riding for their enjoyment.

The focus of our programs is not shows, ribbons or external success, but the ability to ride safely in the arena and on trail in real life situations and to independently navigate obstacles. While our lessons do instruct using classic riding techniques, the goal of our program is to develop confidence, real-life skill and the knowledge necessary to ride or own your own horse.

Real Life Riding
Our primary teaching modality. Appropriate for riders 3 years old and up to develop their skills with horses. We warmly welcome and encourage all riders of every ability and age to share in these lessons. We aim to help riders to become competent and independent and to prepare riders for potentially leasing or owning horses of their own in the future. We strive to give our students all of the tools and knowledge that they will need to work with horses, in addition to teaching classical riding techniques. We are recreational and non competitive, so we don’t focus on shows, ribbons or external success. We want our riders to have fun and to ride safely in the arena and on trail in real life situations and to independently navigate obstacles. While our lessons do include classic riding techniques, the goal of our program is to develop confidence, real-life skill and the knowledge necessary to ride or own your own horse. (Also Known As – Post Apocalyptic Survival Skills Lessons – only half-jokingly.)

• Halter Skills
• Leading
• Mounting
• Centered and Balanced Riding Position
  (includes riding without stirrups and without reins)
• Starting & Stopping a Horse
• Steering
• Navigating Patterns
• Backing Up
• Arena Etiquette
• Trail Riding Etiquette
• Emergency Skills
• Sitting Trot / Jog
• Posting Trot/ Jog
• Canter / Lope / Gallop
• Mounted Shooting (safety foam bullets and water guns)
• Mounted Archery (safety foam arrows)
• Skills at Arms and Jousting (safety foam swords and lances)
• Jumping
• Barrel Racing Patterns
• Bareback Riding
• Advanced Trail Riding Skills
• Driving
• Vaulting
• Collection and Impulsion
• Lateral Movements
• Stall & Stable Skills
• Loading Horses on Trailers
• Tack Cleaning
• Horse Health & Welfare
• Horse Anatomy
• Diet and Feeding
• Cost of Horse Ownership
• Equine Liability

Tiny Tots / Little Buckaroos / Fearful Riders
Lead line class with both instructors and parents for children 3 – 7 or nervous / fearful riders of any age.

Adaptive Riding Lessons
No rider is too differently abled to enjoy horses. We regularly work with individuals with varying physical limitations and mental disabilities to adapt the magic of riding for their enjoyment. Also known as hippo-therapy or equine assisted therapy.

Thoughts about Balanced and Centered, Recreational / Non-Competitive Riding 
Be Safe – Have Fun! What we do – What we don’t do

Experienced on-site lesson horses available, hand picked and trained by Owner and Trainer, Skye. All of our horses are forgiving, gentle, kind, loving and patient. Specializing in family-oriented, recreational (Just for fun), non-competitive riding – Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced. Helmets of any kind are strongly recommended, especially for riders under the age of 18: (ASTM/SEI horse, bike, skate, baseball, rock climbing, etc). It’s best to wear long, non-slippery pants when riding horses. Boots or closed-toed close-heeled shoes are appropriate footwear – no open-toed shoes or sandals, please! Dress for the weather – bring appropriate clothing such as sunglasses a hat, or a jacket so you’re comfortable. It’s important to travel light. We suggest bringing a a 16-ounce water bottle, camera and a smile! Who taught Skye how to ride a horse? Horses taught me. People can’t teach you about horses as well as horses can. My lesson horses and I can teach you balance and communication. After that it’s semantics and dedication to a specific riding discipline. Perfect practice makes perfect. Nothing is more important than practice!

* What Riding Lessons ARE: Deciding to provide riding lessons for yourself and/or your children is a major family decision. Riding lessons are time consuming, expensive and have a certain amount of inherent risk. Riding lessons require a huge commitment to educate yourself about horses. After all, you would never put your children in a car and tell them to just drive it. I promote safety, education and ground work as an integral part of riding lessons. If you can’t control a horse on the ground, you can’t control them from their back. Riding a horse means actively participating in controlling the movements of a horse – consistently, compassionately and with concern for the horse. Horses are strong, powerful and very intelligent, with survival being their paramount concern.

Riders need to be mature enough to understand the basic principles of horsemanship, balance, rhythm and proper human/horse communication. When age-appropriate, this should eventually include good “working knowledge” of bits, other riding tack and ground work equipment. Riders should know the proper way to work with horses from the ground and from the horse’s back. Riders also need an education in “speaking horse” and in the spirit of the horse – how they communicate and how to persuade a horse to commit to do calmly as you have politely asked. It is easy to blame the horse for all inadequacies in rider’s abilities. It is up to the rider to keep things in check. Riding a horse is an art.

A good rider understands the importance of balance and the ability to feel the horse’s movements through their own hands, legs and seat. They know what the horse is going to do by the signals the horse transmits through its muscles. That is why learning to ride bareback is so critical at the beginning of riding lessons. They also know that a horse communicates with its whole body, and “speak horse” at all times while riding. Many riding communication skills can be learned from the ground. If you can’t control the horse from the ground, you certainly can’t control him from his back. Ground work is elementary, albeit integral training for both horse and rider!

Riding is a smooth movement of human and horse, where the two move together as one, with trust and communication. There is no better feeling than bonding with a horse at this level. Come learn that the horse does what you ask because he wants to please you, not because you’ve forced him to do it. It’s worth the time and effort to get there. Bonding with a horse is like no other relationship. Horses are totally honest, empathetic, intelligent, naturally athletic and will always listen to you. They talk all the time if you are willing to listen to them. When abused or mistreated, horses can become balky, sullen and uncommunicative, just like people do. Horses can kick, bite, run over you, step on you or run away with you. I am honest about my capabilities, I understand my horses, I continually strive to perpetuate the best life possible for horses, I am a life-long learner about the best way to care for horses, and I am willing to speak out in defense of I know is best for horses in general.

* What Riding Lessons are NOT: Riding is not “staying alive on a horse” or plodding along on a dead-mouthed, dead-sided, nose-to-butt trail horse. A horse is not an extension of your ego. Horses don’t care about destroying their bodies by competing for prizes and money. Every day thousands of horses are ruined for life and even die in the process of making money for people. Riding is not pulling and yanking on the bit to stop or turn your horse. I never artificially alter a horse’s headset, tail or feet in order to “look good.” I never use gadgets to force the horse to hold its head down. I never use severe bits to “make them stop”. These are poor substitutes for good training. Riding is not ignoring the health needs of your horse. A horse that is properly cared for can be your companion for up to 30 years.

Riding a horse requires the application of many motor skills that need to be applied simultaneously with coordination, consistent repetition and frequent practice by the rider. Good riding requires an extraordinary commitment of time and energy. Most of us are “recreational riders” – we ride for fun. There are no short cuts. People are prone to self doubt if they compare their abilities with more experienced, competitive riders. It’s hard to reach for new levels of success if you are overwhelmed as you try to exceed your riding ability or “comfort zone”. I do not push individual student limits because it causes frustration and unnecessary stress, leading to resentment, anger and fear, which directly affects both horse and rider. The apex of the rider’s nervous system sits directly on the horse’s nervous system. The horse’s back is sensitive to the tension and nervousness of the rider, just as a horse’s back is receptive and supple under a confident and empathetic rider.

The most important aspect of riding is to find a level where you and the horse are having a good time together, where you are both comfortable and enjoying each other’s company and loving every minute you are together. An occasional venture of stretching your limits is allowed, but you should rarely push yourself or your horse beyond your collective comfort zone, unless you are prepared for the consequences of that action. You need to become cognizant of your horse’s body language so you will know how to recognize when you’ve exceeded your collective limits. Believe me, your horse will communicate the “stress message” to you. Every part of the horse is a transmitter, and a good rider knows how to read a horse’s language. Most horse and rider wrecks could be avoided if people would spend more time understanding horses and learning to “speak horse”. Frequently, people blame the horse for all inadequacies in the horse-and-rider’s performance together. A well-trained horse can make a clumsy rider look good, but the responsibility to become a good rider lies solely with the rider. A horse will never think like a human.

I reward my riders for what they do right, with my horses being the best teacher and guide for them. I am a coach; I see what’s done well, and I appropriately reward the rider and the horse as a team. When encouraged to be the best they can be, in a just-for-fun, recreational, non-competitive environment, a horse-and-rider team is an incomparable friendship, and there’s nothing better. Love the wind in your hair and the sun in your face. Ride as if no one is watching, Laugh and sing as if no one is listening and live in the moment, just as your horse does. There is no greater pleasure.

* A Good Instructor Is…

HOW WILL I KNOW A GOOD RIDING INSTRUCTOR? Making the decision to provide riding lessons for yourself and/or your children is a major family decision. Riding lessons are time consuming, expensive and have a certain amount of inherent risk. Riding lessons require a huge commitment to educate yourself about horses. Parents would never put their children in a car and tell them to drive it, but will put children on horses and expect them to learn all about horses from blue sky. Good riding instructors promote safety, education and ground work as an integral part of “riding” lessons.

A GOOD RIDING INSTRUCTOR IS: A riding instructor’s role is quite a bit like that of a parent, and is a partner in creating a team effort among three entities – horse, rider and instructor. Other synonyms that apply to this important role are: director, mentor and mediator of horse/human relationships. A competent instructor should have the following attributes: responsible, personable, safety-oriented, accountable, extremely intuitive, humble, kind, loving, loyal, genuine, honest, educated and experienced, trustworthy, compassionate, dedicated, honorable, confident, good listener, patient and values life (all forms). A good instructor is motivated by focusing on the goals of the rider, and tries to find a niche for the rider, so he/she is comfortable and not afraid, but not foolishly overconfident of his/her riding ability.

The above average riding instructor works to find a good match between a horse’s and rider’s compatibility combined with general capacity and aptitude for riding. A riding instructor should encourage the rider to stretch and reach for new goals, but should never criticize, belittle or punish the rider for what they don’t have the capacity to accomplish, or push them to try to force the horse to do something beyond their ken. It is the instructor’s responsibility to analyze a rider’s innate ability. Instructors need to acquire above average interpersonal communication skills and should possess an innately intuitive nature. I call this “speaking horse”. They should be educated in horse and human anatomy, physiology and psychology. Well-balanced instructors know their own central values and understand how to live their whole life by that credo. The good instructor knows when it is time to “let go” of a student, just like the parents of a young bird allow their young to try their wings and fly. An exceptional instructor is a life-long learner of equine science.

They promote proprietorship of what they say and do and reserve the right to influence others while respecting others’ rights to believe what they consider true. They work very diligently to unravel the melange and divergence of the horse industry and guide inexperienced people through the mine fields of the sometimes inhumane methods commonly used in the industry. A good riding instructor is unbounded by a specific riding discipline. They are more interested in the well being the horse and rider than they are for promoting their ability to “produce winners”. The main principle of riding instruction is to achieve balance for the rider and collection for the horse, which all by itself is a winning combination. After that, it is a matter of semantics. Riding instructors need to have a unique sense of humor. They love to make other people laugh because they know it feels good to laugh. They think everyone deserves to be happy. They love to tell stories that are funny, not to belittle someone, but to somewhat alleviate the stress and tension of what could be an unbearable burden of grief for someone else.

They can talk for more than five minutes without saying the word “I”. They care about what they say and do and the effect it has on everyone around them. An accomplished riding instructor is honest about his/her capabilities, knows and understands horses and people, is continually striving to perpetuate the best life possible for the horse, is a life-long learner about the best way to care for horses, and is willing to speak out in defense of what they know is the highest good for horses in general. This person talks to children and old people, and listens with enthusiasm, because they know everyone brings something into this world and recognizes the value of every human being. He/she knows the world has a pattern that can not always be seen when you are so immersed in a problem that all you can see is the problem, and will help you to focus on the bigger picture of the universe, not the universe of your own making. This person is unequivocally trustworthy, reliable and totally honorable. A good riding instructor consistently strives to promote what is for the highest good for themselves and the universal good.

Horses and riders combined with a properly skilled instructor equals exponential magic! The world is full of horses who have been spoiled by people who ride them for all the wrong reasons. There are good riding instructors, and very bad riding instructors. NEVER accept lessons from a trainer without the advice and counsel of a professional horse consultant. Contact Skye, from Bella Peregrina Ranch, who can and will help you make a good decision if you think you really want to take riding lessons. Remember, if an instructor cares more about promoting himself/herself than he or she does for the horse, or puts a young or inexperienced rider on any horse in an open arena without a lead line, proper supervision or educational preparation, look further down the road. Safety for horse, rider and trainer is a paramount concern at Bella Peregrina Ranch.

Bella Peregrina Ranch is a smoke free, alcohol free and drug free environment.
We reserve the right to refuse any potential rider.
512-269-6309
Email skye.ds@gmail.com
Facebook.com/bella.peregrina.ranch
We accept cash, credit, debit, paypal, cashapp, venmo, facebook, google, samsung/android, business checks, NO PERSONAL CHECKS
Gift Certificates are available.