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.

Lesson Program Information

Weekly Lessons:

A standing weekly appointment in our lesson program (for example: every Wednesday @ 6pm). The time slot is yours for as long as you’d like to continue with weekly lessons.

We offer lessons by appointment Monday-Thursday 10am-8pm & Saturdays 11am-5pm. We’re closed on Fridays & Sundays.

Occasional Lessons:

A single one time lesson or reoccurring lessons taken on different days and times on an occasional or bi-weekly basis.

Recreational Guided Trail Lessons:

Please visit our: “Recreational Guided Trail Lesson" page for more information.

Trail Ride 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 Inquiry Form

Lesson Cost:

Single/Occasional /Bi-Weekly/Monthly Lessons:

Single Hour Lesson: $70
Single Mini Rider Lesson (Ages 3-5): $50 (half-hour lesson)

*Single lessons require pre-payment at time of booking and have a firm one week cancellation/reschedule policy. Cancellations with less then a week notice will receive a link to a pre-recorded virtual lesson instead.*

Weekly Lesson Packages:

4 Week Lesson Pack: $220 | $55 lesson

10 Week Lesson Pack: $500 | $50 lesson

Mini Rider 4 Lesson Pack: $150 (Ages 3-5) half hour lessons | $37.50

Mini Rider 10 Lesson Pack: $375 (Ages 3-5) half hour lessons | $37.50

*Lesson Packs are only available to students enrolled in a weekly lesson slot and must be paid in full upon starting the lesson package*

Weekly Lesson Package Policy:

A 4-Week Lesson Package is valid for 4 consecutive weeks (same day/time weekly).
A 10-Week Lesson Package is valid for 10 consecutive weeks (same day/time weekly).

Read Full Weekly Lesson Policy Here

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.

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.

Our lessons are semi private or small group lessons.

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.

Ride Simulator Policy:

The ride simulator is a key part of our program and will be a tool we use at the beginning of every lesson.

The ride simulator allows us to teach you or your child what to do when they experience turbulence on a horse. It allows the rider to work through their natural instinct of locking up, shutting down, or completely panicking, and allows them to gain the skills needed to calmly think through difficult situations while, also growing the riders confidence! We will not allow riders off of a line until they can do the lowest level on the simulator. Check out the video below.

Ride Simulator Video

OUR LESSON CURRICULUM

Mini Rider: Building Confidence (Ages 3-5)

Adult Fast Track (Combination Of Level Intro & Zero)

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

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 the end of Level 1. We begin teaching students speed; gaiting at Level 3 and cantering at Level 4. We introduce some gaiting on a lead line towards the end of Level 2.

We highly encourage our students to attend training seminars (or watch on our YouTube channel) to expand their knowledge on horse psychology. The education gained from these seminars will lay the foundation needed for advancing into Levels 2+. There is no charge for seminars!

Training Seminar Schedule

Weekly Lesson Package Policy

Weekly Lesson Package Policy:

A 4-Week Lesson Package is valid for 4 consecutive weeks (same day/time weekly).
A 10-Week Lesson Package is valid for 10 consecutive weeks (same day/time weekly).

Rescheduling:

We understand that scheduling conflicts happen. Each package is allowed one rescheduled lesson (for vacations, school events, work trips, etc.).

A firm one week’s notice is required to use the reschedule option this allows us time to offer your unused time slot to an occasional rider or another student rescheduling a lesson.
The make-up lesson must be scheduled within your active 4 or 10 week package and will be added as a second lesson during an already scheduled week. The package expiration date will NOT be extended.

Illness, Emergencies, Bad Roads, or Last-Minute Cancellations:

With three instructors living on-site, we do not close for snow-covered roads. However, if you or your child must miss a lesson due to illness, poor road conditions, or an unexpected conflict, we will provide a virtual lesson instead!

Older students and adults will receive a private link (Youtube) to one of our prerecorded horse training seminars.
Mini Riders (ages 3-5) will receive a private link (Youtube) to one of our prerecorded age-appropriate horse knowledge videos created by one of our instructors.

Holiday Closures:

If the barn is closed for a major holiday, your lesson package expiration will automatically be extended by one week.

Why This Policy Matters:

It allows us to budget responsibly, support our instructors (who are paid regardless of attendance), and continue building a strong, thriving program—while keeping lessons as affordable as possible.

What To Bring

We require riders to wear long pants, long leggings, or full seat riding pants.
Riding Boots. We prefer riding boots but a boot alternative (fashion boots, rain boots, muck boots, or winter boots) or old tennis shoes will work to get you started. No crocs, flats, sandals, or open toed shoes.
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 (45-50 degrees) but please bring warm layers (snow pants, gloves, coat).
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.