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 AssociationSaddle 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.

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 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!

Individual or group horseback riding lessons are available. Call today for more info! Meet the Instructors
Owner/Instructor
Darleen Finnigan
CHA & ARIA
Certified Instructors
Bill Finnigan CHA
Laura Pauls
-- Your First Lesson --
What you can expect to learn during your first lesson (the pace at which this is taught will depend on the student's previous experiences with horses and the student's age, therefore, some of the items listed herein may be saved to be learned in a later lesson):
  1. View video on helmet safety.
  2. How to approach a horse, learning horse body language and safety around horses.
  3. How to do basic grooming, including cleaning feet.
  4. How to place blanket, pad and saddle in a safe, balanced position.
  5. Saddle the horse, learning to do the ladigo knot.
  6. Watch horse being bridled.
  7. Learn leading, then mounting the horse.
  8. Learn to signal the horse to walk, stop and turn, using legs as aids, also.
  9. Dismounting.
  10. Unsaddling.
In the remainder of the first month of your lessons, you should be able to do all of the above unaided, as well as learn how to adjust stirrup length, catch horse in paddock and tie a horse with a quick-release knot. In riding, you should be starting to learn to ride the trot at least by your third lesson or sooner (unless you are a small child or have some serious fears we need to help you overcome).

It is very unusual for a student to advance faster than the above steps, unless they are here as brush-up lessons from many years of previous riding experience.

Unless a student has their own horse to practice with, we find that the majority of our students usually like to take lessons for at least a year to become a basic, competent rider. During this time, for an extra fee, you will have the opportunity to take several trail rides to put to use your new skills. Trail rides are not offered to children under 12 unless the parent is also a student and wishes to take a ride with the child.

You must bring your pre-lesson packet including your completed liability forms at the time of your 1st lesson. The lesson cannot begin without these forms on file.

Please schedule with Saddle Soar ranch a 1 hour orienteering and enrolling session prior to first lesson date.

 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.]