*As of 2022, we are currently operating at our new location in Cohasset. We are accepting new students at this time; however, due to popularity, we do have limited availability and may need to start a waiting list in the near future. Please contact us if you are interested in taking lessons!*
Lightfoot Horse Farm is located in Magalia, surrounded by Northern California’s most picturesque scenery! We are a small family farm, teaching private beginner lessons to children and adults alike. What sets us apart from other riding facilities is that we teach horsemanship, rather than just riding lessons. Whereas other facilities throw students up in the saddle at the first lesson, promoting just one discipline of riding, we start from the ground up. Students become well-rounded, learning groundwork, handling, grooming, tacking, caring, feeding, and communicating with horses, as well as riding and basic vet care.
While we encourage students to explore all disciplines of riding, we teach hunter seat equitation as our foundation. We believe learning to develop an advanced seat, with close contact, proper balance, light aids, and simple, clear communication is the basis for good riding and will enhance whatever discipline the student eventually enters, whether it be barrel racing, reining, jumping, dressage, or endurance. We utilize all of our resources – from the round pen, to the arena, to the jump field, to the miles and miles of trail that surround our property. Lightfoot Horse Farm teaches natural horsemanship, a philosophy of working with horses based on the horse’s natural instincts and methods of communication, with the understanding that horses do not learn through fear or pain, with an emphasis on safety and education.
Our Levels Program:
A building wasn’t built in a day and will not last without the proper foundation. This is the concept we molded our horsemanship program after. Those students committed to attending lessons at least weekly learn through our Levels Program, starting with the Foundation. Students begin with Foundation: Prep Level 1a, which begins with the basics, preparing the student for successful transitions to Prep Level 1b, Prep Level 1c, and beyond. Most students can expect to advance in 6-12 months, and will be tested before moving on to the next level. Tests include three elements — one is hands-on with the horse, the other is written, and finally, an oral exam is conducted, where students have the opportunity to teach their peers. Here at Lightfoot Horse Farm, we emphasize leadership, responsibility, assertiveness, problem-solving, and self-awareness, all while developing valuable, honest relationships — with our fellow students, our coach, and most importantly, the real teachers, the horses.
In riding a horse, we borrow freedom. ~ Helen Thomson
