Our Lesson Program
Windwalker Farms is different from your typical horseback riding facility. We focus on teaching our students how horses perceive the world with their prey animal mentality through education and adventure! It is our job as horsemen to meet horses where they are at and communicate with them in a way that makes sense to them; instead of forcing horses to learn the way humans do, it's our job to understand how they learn and view the world. It is our mission at Windwalker Farms to bridge the gap between horses and people. We strive to teach our students the language of the horse and how to effectively communicate with them. With effective communication comes a very willing horse, and the horse-and-rider relationship that everyone dreams about when they begin riding. Our focus is not on speed or winning flashy ribbons, we want you to learn your horse's mind, and once you’ve done that, the sky’s the limit on what you and your horse can do.
We offer weekly lessons, occasional lessons, and recreational guided trail lessons.
Lesson Program Information
Weekly Lessons:
A standing weekly appointment in our lesson program (for example: every Wednesday @ 6pm).
Occasional Lessons:
A single one time lesson or reoccurring lessons taken on different days and times on an occasional basis.
Recreational Guided Trail Lessons:
Please visit our: “Recreational Guided Trail Lesson" page for more information.
Contact Information:
Windwalker Farms
9204 Valley View Dr.
Fenton, MI 48430
To schedule a lesson you can fill out the form at the bottom of this page or email, call, or text us at: (810)922-9055 windwalkeroffice@gmail.com
Lesson Cost:
Single/Occasional Lesson: $60 for an hour lesson
Mini Rider Lesson (Ages 3-5): $35 for a half-hour lesson
Weekly Lesson Packages:
4 Lesson Pack: $200 (expires in 6 months)
10 Lesson Pack: $450 (expires in 1 year)
*Lesson Packs are only available to students enrolled in a weekly lesson slot*
We do not have a credit card system but accept checks, cash, Venmo*, and Paypal*.
*Venmo: Must be sent with goods and service toggle OFF or include extra to cover the fees.
*Paypal: Must be sent via friends and family or include extra to cover the fees.
Age Requirements:
We offer lessons for ages 3 to 103.
Children under 8 can only do indoor lessons.
Ages 8+ can trail ride after they have met the skill requirements during indoor lessons.
•Mini Riders is for ages 3-5
•Pony Up is for ages 5-7
•Horsing Around is for ages 8-11
•Horse Adventure is for ages 12-17
•Windwalker Adventure is for ages 18+
Additional Lesson Information:
No prior horse experience is required. If you or your child has had prior horse lessons you will experience horses here like you never have before.
Our lessons are 60 minutes and we schedule on the hour. The first 5-10 minutes is used for grooming and tacking, then a 40-50 minute lesson beginning with the ride simulator, followed by 5 minutes of untacking and grooming at the end of the riding lesson.
Lessons for our Mini Riders (ages 3-5 years old) are 30 minutes long. The main focus of these lessons is getting students comfortable around and on horses. Half of the lesson will be spent on the ground brushing the horse and doing balance exercises and the other half in the saddle.
We have a weight limit of 220 lbs. if you are over 6' tall and 190 lbs. if you are under 6' tall.
In a group ride, we can accommodate 1 rider in the 200-220 lb. range.
Riders must have full mobility.
We do not hand-feed any of our horses. If you would like to bring them treats or pick grass it must go in the horse's bucket. We don't want our horses associating fingers/hands with food.
For safety reasons, we ask that you do not pet or go up to any horses unless it is a horse we have gotten out for you for a lesson. We have some horses that are young or just beginning training and don't have the education yet to safely be around students.
The ride simulator is mandatory prior to getting on a horse. Check out the video below.
OUR LESSON CURRICULUM
Intro: Laying The Foundation
Level 0: Begin Building
Level 1: Prep For Trails
Level 2: Introduction To Trails & Obstacles
Level 3: Trails & Obstacles
Level 4: Learning The Buttons
Level 5: Putting It All Together
Level 6: Finesse
We have our own curriculum that we use for our lessons. Every student begins at Level Intro and progresses through the levels at their own pace. Every skill must be obtained before advancing to the next level.
We begin introducing trail lessons into the mix at Level 2. We begin teaching students speed (gaiting) at Level 4 and (cantering) at Level 5.
Levels 1-6 each require attending a minimum of 2 horse training seminars before advancing to the next level. There is no charge for students attending seminars. Visit our Training Seminar page for upcoming dates. If the seminar schedule doesn't work with your availability we can schedule a seminar to take place during your lesson.
CANCELLATION & WEATHER POLICY:
Cancellation Policy:
We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. With weekly lessons, we prefer a 1 week's notice for needing to skip a lesson but require a 24-hour notice. Multiple cancellations / skipped lessons could result in the loss of your standing weekly lesson. If less than 24-hour notice is given we will take a punch off of your lesson card or require you to pay for the missed appointment before booking any future lessons.
Weather Policy:
The safety of our students is our primary concern and because we have indoor arenas, we are generally able to hold lessons, rain or shine. However, if there is lightning, hail, or extremely heavy rain, or the weather otherwise makes it unsafe to be riding in the indoor arenas, lessons will continue for the day as unmounted lessons in which students will learn about a wide range of topics that are appropriate for the student's age and skill level. We want our students to be well-rounded and bad weather allows us to teach students things that might not be covered during their traditional riding lesson. These topics might include; horse care and maintenance, learning about and doing farm chores, putting extra time in on the ride simulator, watching a groundwork training seminar, learning horse psychology, learning horse anatomy, and brushing up on different skills.
Winter Storms / Bad Road Conditions:
If local schools are canceled for the day due to hazardous driving conditions, you will NOT be charged for calling/texting to cancel your lesson with less than 24-hour notice. If school is not in session (break or weekend) and you do not feel comfortable diving, please notify us as soon as possible. You will not be charged for canceling a lesson with less than 24-hour notice if it's due to hazardous roads, but you will be charged if you're no-call no-show.
What To Bring
- We require riders to wear long pants or leggings.
- Boots (riding boots, fashion boots, rain boots, winter boots). We prefer boots but old tennis shoes will work just no flats or sandals, please.
- Thin garden gloves or riding gloves are recommended but not required.
- Helmet (we provide helmets if you wish to use one of ours). Under 18 helmets are mandatory. Over 18 helmets are optional.
- Waiver (you can print the waiver below or we have them available upon arrival).
- Winter: Our indoor is heated in the winter but please bring warm layers (snow pants, gloves, coat).
- We do not have a credit card system but accept cash, check, Venmo, and Paypal.
- Please read over our cancellation & weather policy above.
- Address: 9204 Valley View Dr. Fenton MI 48430 | Once you drive under the Windwalker Farms archway keep going up the driveway past all the tan apartment buildings. You will come to a white sign on your right pointing you down to the main barn. Park where ever you would like.
Ride Simulator Lesson
Meet Our Instructors
Meet Tristan
Meet Ellie
Meet Lauryn
Meet Mia
Waiver, Agreement, and Liability Release
Waiver (pdf)
DownloadWindwalker Farms
9204 Valley View Drive, Fenton, Michigan 48430, United States
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