Lessons

Looking for regular riding lessons? Our horseback riding lesson program is in constant development. Currently, we have packages available after the first session booked through the website. Whether you are an adult looking to learn, or scouting out programs for your child, we will be thrilled to offer you a space on the Maverick Team. Over the course of riding with us for a year, students will:

Learn to approach, halter, lead, tie, groom and tack their horse for the ride
Assess gear fit and functionality for horse and rider
Sit and post the trot in English and western saddles, as well as ride the trot bareback
Canter in a way that is polite to the horse
Handle a variety of horse breeds, young horses and other stock animals
Learn about and support our mission to share the joy and refuge of healing natural spaces and working directly with animals
Understand nutrition and its impact on horse behavior
Learn to pony another horse on the trail
Understand leg pressure, how to open gates while mounted and how to maneuver a horse with the seat
Get fit! Our sessions will give you a real workout. You can kiss that gym membership goodbye.
Understand the fundamentals of English and Western riding. The more tools you have, the better you will be able to take obstacles. We believe in the power of a versatile equestrian education.

How to Join Our Regular Riding Program

Adults and Riders Age 12+

Start by booking a horse experience with us to see what the community vibes are like and meet other students & instructors in the program. You can try an Audit class for just $20. If you book 6 audit classes, your seventh class is a horsemanship trail. There are ways to earn free audit classes, including research and writing prompts from home that will help you build skills to work toward your personal goals. Feel free to inquire. Prospective students can also jump in by signing up for a public ride. Everything we do is instructional, so rest assured even in “just” a trail ride you will learn a lot. If it seems like a good fit, we can discuss the quarterly student program. Quarterly sessions are $1250 four times a year. There is no commitment. Riders are welcome to book drop-in sessions online using the Ranch Trail and Horsemanship Trail options at any time.

ALL of our trails are instructional, and participants who come with regularity learn everything from working a cow horse, to structured field-jumping, to drill team riding and all the ins-and-outs of riding working horses. We do not offer lessons in barrel racing, reining, cutting or riding for showmanship. Currently we DO have an instructor who is teaching beginner and intermediate Dressage.

We have always thoroughly enjoyed teaching field hacking. ALL students will learn how to access and fit both western and English tack. ALL students will be required to master the sitting trot before learning about the different seats needed for two-pointing (which leads you to a good jumping position), a polite half seat (for riding young horses gently on trail or engaging in riding through varying terrain including elevation changes and water entries) as well as the benefits (and pitfalls) to bareback riding. This is a fun and rewarding program for people who think they might want to own a horse one day, go adventure touring on horseback or understand how to gentle start and re-start “problem horses.” We are a community of stable, balanced adults and youth riders in a mixed-group environment. ABSOLUTELY NO OVERLY-TYPICAL MEAN-GIRLS BARN DRAMA WILL BE TOLERATED. We have educated and cultured women, men and a handful of youth riders who participate in awesomeness with us. While most of the students are adults, we have some truly inspiring younglings who join in too. Those who make their way into the student program are from a diverse background. Those who stick around are coachable, thick skinned and adventurous in spirit. Adventure requires direct communication. Participants who have not been coached may struggle more than those who have experienced participating in a competitive sport for years on end.

We want to grow our team of outstanding humans. Come ride with us!

Field hackers! Adventure riders! Parade goers! Ranchy attitudes and English riding savvy combine to produce a group of people who CARE about the HORSES. That’s us. That’s the Maverick movement.

Learning about your gear is a huge priority. Austin horseback riding students will learn how to assess English and Western saddle fit, bit and bridle options, as well as safety checks on gear.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 0306_0570-600x600.jpg — Learning about your gear is a huge priority. Austin horseback riding students will learn how to assess English and Western saddle fit, bit and bridle options, as well as safety checks on gear.

Children Ages 2-12

Check out our Children’s Intro to Horsemanship Classes. You may drop in at your leisure by booking online. The fees amount to approximately $65. There is no commitment, and we will work with you at your desired pace. This class is structured so that a parent, legal guardian or other able-bodied adult is learning side-by-side the youth rider. Adults must be present at all times.

Children will learn all the fundamentals of horsemanship. Mounted sessions start low and slow, with just a few minutes on the horse. Riders who come consistently will enjoy longer mounted sessions as they continue attending classes, up to the full length of our Ranch Trail. It’s incredibly lucrative for committed families!

Packages with discounted rates are custom. Package rates/ride vary according to frequency of sessions and length of commitment. Individual ride rates will vary from $35-$48. To get started, sign up for a Children’s Intro online.

Older children may join the Regular Riders program if they are able to follow multi-step directions, sit the trot for 20 feet, execute a proper “drop and grab” (holding the reins in one hand and the horn with the other) and pull and tack their own horse.

Private Lessons

We have private lessons available in Lockhart, Austin, Bastrop, Blanco, Canyon Lake, Spicewood and Gonzales. At this time, we are unable to meet the demand of weekly private rides, but please stay tuned for updates. Riders enrolled in our year of riding program receive priority space for private horseback riding lessons.

Horsemanship Lessons are NOT about riding around in endless circles. We love our round pen and grass arena on the bluff top overlooking the valley, but we love even more the incredible spaces we can provide for students to learn how to handle the diversity of Texas trails and gorgeous terrain. Scroll down for more photos the Maverick dude ranch!