Horseback riding lesson physical requirements and weight limits

Horseback Riding Lessons for individuals, groups or day camps for children at Saddle Soar Ranch

Saddle Soar Ranch is a proud member of the Certified Horsemanship Association

Saddle Soar Ranch is proud to be an Accredited Site Member of the CHA.

CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) was founded in 1967 to develop a means to test and evaluate riding program staff for risk management skills, teaching ability, horsemanship knowledge and professionalism.

Click here for more info.

We have been teaching at this location for over 13 years
and we specialize in Teen and Adult Beginning Riders
Call Today For Your First Lesson ~ (253) 927-6899

Gift Certificates Available!
Call 253-927-6899 to order one today!

We do have some weight limitations and physical requirements before riding the horses.

Meet the Instructors
Owner/Instructor
Darleen Finnigan
CHA & ARIA
Certified Instructors
Bill Finnigan CHA
Laura Pauls

-- Physical Requirements & Weight Limitations --

Physical requirements and Size Limitations:

Horseback riding is an active physical exercise. This is very different from riding a rental horse and letting the horse do it all.

You will be using every muscle in your body at one time or another, and always using your abdominal muscles.

For this reason, it is highly recommended that a person planning to take up horseback riding start a program of exercise, walking regularly as well as working out otherwise.

If you are out of moderate conditioning, and/or overweight, you will find learning to ride is very difficult and challenging. Sometimes a person will just not succeed in getting beyond a walk.

This applies regardless of your age. Many people over 50 successfully learn how to ride if they are otherwise living an active life style.

Weight limitations:

For the sake of the horse's back, it is recommended that a person weigh no more than 20% of the total horse's weight when they are learning to ride. This weight includes the saddle and your boots!

At the present, our strongest horse weighs 1250 pounds. This means that with the 30+ pound saddle, we are pretty much limited to riders under 220 pounds.

If a person is very fit, we can extend this limit a few pounds. We are hoping to get a bigger and stronger horse as soon as we are able to find one suitable for lessons.

Please tell us your weight range when you inquire about lessons. Thank you.

If you still have questions, please feel free to call us. Thank you.

Lesson Times:
Monday-Friday...2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturdays..........9 a.m. to Noon
Closed on Sundays

Summers:
June - August....some morning classes available depending
on the instructors availability.
Special party groups planned per private arrangements
for prices and times.

Rates: ~fees are subject to change without notice~
Cash or Checks ONLY. We cannot accept either
credit cards or debit cards at this time.
*Price rates do not apply to children under 10 years of
age. Please inquire at 253-927-6899. Closed on Sundays.

There is a one time enrollment and orientation fee of
$40.00 for all new or returning students. This fee covers
the advance session held before riding lessons begin to
review safety and policy procedures with students and
student's parents.

Private: Four 1 hour lessons.......$160.00 per month

*Semi-Private or **Group Rate:
    please read * notations below the prices for these classes.
    2 - 4 students in each 1 hour class.
   Four hours per month.......$120.00 per each student
   in the group
*There can be no make-up classes or schedule changes
    unless by the instructor for holidays.
    There will be no credit given for missed classes in the
    Group Classes.

**New and returning students must start in private
      lessons FIRST.

Horsemanship 101: 1 eight hour class.
  Saturday seminar. Hours: 9 - 5:30.
  Held once a year in the Spring.......$75.00
  Children 14 and under must be accompanied with
  parent or legal adult in class.

Our facilities offer an outdoor arena with lights for evening classes and a pea-gravel footing.
We are located in Edgewood WA, 5 miles south of Federal Way and 4 miles north of Puyallup.
See MAP for directions to our ranch.
Please come and visit our facilities and view a lesson in progress!

Call for an appointment - 253-927-6899. Closed on Sundays

11810 County Line Rd. E.
Edgewood/Puyallup
WA 98372
(253) 927-6899 [Office Hours are Monday - Friday ~ Noon - 8 p.m.]