Do you offer individual lessons or trail rides?

Our lessons are offered through subscriptions and packages. If you are visiting the area and would like to book a series (minimum 3) of lessons, we are happy to try to accommodate you. We do not offer one-off lessons. 

We do not offer trail rides. 

Do you teach English or Western riding?

Our curriculum is focused on balance for the rider and on general horse knowledge. We start all youth riders in bareback type saddles and continue in jump/all-purpose saddles. While most of our students go on to specialize in Olympic (aka "English") disciplines (jumping, eventing, dressage), the goal of our program is to serve any beginner and intermediate student: our theory content and strength & conditioning exercises in the saddle prepare everyone to eventually specialize into specific disciplines of their choice (eventing, barrel racing, horse-ball, endurance riding, etc). 

How does AMF Équitation differ from other riding programs? 

AMF Équitation differs from other lesson programs in three main ways:

1. We have clear levels and a written curriculum with specific goals and outcomes that our instructors follow so you know what you/your student is learning, and you can see how you/they are advancing.

2. Most programs sell individual lessons, whereas our tution is subscription-based. We do this so that students are able to learn horsemanship and riding/driving skills in a consistent and productive environment.

3. Our “beginner” riding lessons are dedicated to learning horsemanship skills on the ground as well as in the saddle/cart so that students get a well-rounded education and are able to safely handle and care for horses in addition to riding/driving.

How do I know what level to sign up for?

Most of our students enter our program at the Introductory Riding level (Silver Galop/G1), even if they have taken a few lessons before or ridden in unstructured ways (family trail rides, 4H, etc). 

If you would like to sign up for a more advanced level, please sign up for an assessment (email: amfequitation@gmail.com, or call: 563-334-0191,‪ to schedule an assessment). Assessments are $35 and run about 45 to 60 minutes long, including tacking up. Please note that assessments are not lessons. 

How much weight can a horse carry?

A horse can carry 10% to 20% of its own body weight, provided the rider is well balanced and experienced. Because our schoolies' herd is mostly made of large ponies/small horses, we limit our beginner riders to 175lbs to maintain the health of our schoolhorses. 

Note that there are no size/weight restrictions for driving lessons. 

How big are your group lessons?

We typically limit our group riding lessons to five students at a time; occasionally, there may be 6 to a class.  

Driving groups are typically 2-3 students. 

Why am I not getting any emails from  AMF Équitation?

Our emails to current students are sent through Google. Oftentimes, these emails get flagged as spam, especially if the email you have in our system is a work/corporate email.

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​You should be getting enrollment confirmations from our instructors, as well as notifications from us regarding lesson updates, session recommendations/etc. If you are not getting either of these types of emails, please check your spam folder and make sure to “un-spam”our emails.

What if I can not make it to a lesson? How do makeups work?

If you can not make it to a lesson, we request that you inform us ahead of time. There are no makeups offered due to our very full schedule. It is to your advantage to make your lessons a priority in your week. 

Please also note that due to the high demand for group lessons, a student will forfeit their spot if they miss too many lessons in a given period. Students may not miss more than 2 weeks in a row or more than 4 lessons in a 90-day period. We have found that allowing students to miss more than one lesson in a period leads to a diminished learning experience for all participants in the group. Progressive learning is disrupted and skill levels become quickly mismatched, so we ask that you choose a day and time that you can accommodate in your schedule.

Will lessons be cancelled due to inclement weather?

We rarely, if ever, cancel lessons due to weather. In the event that severe weather prevents riding (extreme cold/thunderstorm-tornado warning) - unmounted horsemanship lessons will be substituted (via Zoom). 

In the off-chance that lessons do need to be cancelled, your instructor will reach out to you directly via the phone number and/or email address you have provided at registration.

What Attire is necessary?

Riders are expected to attend lessons in safe & neat attire:

• For the beginner classes (Silver Galop, G1)

  • English riding short boots (or or shoes that cover the ankle and have a boot heel) and a properly-fitting ASTM certified riding helmet are required. 

A properly fitting helmet will be snug enough to stay on the head while the rider/driver is bending over, without being buckled, and stay on. 

• • Riding breeches are encouraged, but not required for riding lessons. 

  • Adult beginner classes require the same attire as youth beginner classes.

• For G2+ classes, 

  • Breeches and a properly-fitting ASTM certified riding helmet are required for riding lessons. 

  • Long pants and a properly-fitting ASTM certified riding helmet are required for driving lessons.  

  • For footwear, riders/drivers can either choose 

    • to ride in English riding short boots and half-chaps, or they can ride in tall boots appropriate for which sport they specialize in (no Western boots). 

    • to drive in English riding short boots or other sturdy shoes with hard toe. 

  • Gloves are required for driving lessons and recommended for riding lessons.