Horse training · riding & driving lessons · Gavilan Hills

Instruction · Safety · Growth

Riding Lessons

A young rider taking a western lesson at Rushton Stables

How lessons work

Safety, fun, and meaningful progress.

We provide structured riding and driving lessons tailored to first time riders through advanced competitors. Every lesson emphasizes safety, proper technique, and individual progress in a fun environment.

A child taking a western riding lesson — Kids riding lessons

A young rider prepared for a lesson — Kids riding lessons

A horse and driver during a driving lesson — Driving lesson

About Our Lesson Horses $40 Introductory Lesson!Yes! We Have Horse Camps!

Lesson offerings

Choose the right starting point.

Lesson semesters run January through March, April through June, July through September, and October through December. Students may ride four or eight times per month.

A child riding with the lesson horse's head fully visible

Ages 4 to 5 · 40 minutes

Tiny Tot Lessons

Children get to do hands-on grooming and learn about the horse. They ride under the close supervision of an instructor in each lesson. We find this makes children feel comfortable and allows them to do more on the horse with the safety net of an instructor right beside them.

Children learn games on and off the horse that help them gain confidence and balance. They become comfortable with the movement, size, and control of the horse. Once a child can ride independently, control the horse, and ride for longer periods, they move up to regular private lessons.

While children this young tend to need shorter lessons, the more consistently and frequently they ride, the more quickly they progress. All Tiny Tot riders must wear a helmet. Each lesson includes 20 minutes of riding and 20 minutes of grooming.

$60 individual lesson
$190 package of 4
$460 package of 8

A young student ready for a traditional riding lesson

Ages 6 to adult · Approximately 1 hour

Traditional Riding Lessons

Private lessons are the best way to advance riding skills. Students have 100% of the instructor's attention and expertise. Rushton Stables prides itself on amazing instructors and the very best lesson horses.

Our horses are well cared for, happy, and well trained, and we provide a safe and clean environment. The priorities in every riding lesson are safety, fun, progress toward becoming a better rider, and effectively communicating with the horse.

Lessons are approximately one hour long, including grooming, tacking up, riding for 30 minutes, untacking, grooming, and putting away the horse.

$75 individual lesson
$240 package of 4 · use within 30 days
$690 semester with 4 lessons
$1,380 semester with 8 lessons

Ages 6 and up · 30 minutes

Driving Lessons

Learning to drive a horse is tons of fun. For those who do not want to ride, have physical limitations, or already ride and want to expand their skills, we highly recommend driving lessons.

You learn to communicate with the horse through subtle cues that give you the utmost control at the touch of your fingers. We have varying levels of driving horses, and as you improve, your horse gets more advanced. We have never had a person take a driving lesson and not walk away wanting more.

$75 individual lesson
$250 package of 4

Lesson policies

Planning, payment, and cancellations.

The following lesson policies were listed as effective January 1, 2024.

All students must have a current credit card on file and may sign up for autopay.
Lessons are prepaid monthly. Tuition is due by the 25th for the upcoming month.
Cash, check, credit/debit card, and Venmo are accepted.
Rushton Stables may remove a client from the schedule when a balance is past due.
A $15 late fee applies when payment is not received by the third of the month and may be charged to the payment method on file.
Students ending lessons must notify Rushton Stables in writing or by email by the 15th of the prior month. Lesson times are not held after termination.
Schooling sessions run month to month and begin on the first day of each month.
New riders may register by contacting us or calling 951-310-1295. Returning riders can register with their current instructor.
Single riding lessons may be scheduled with your instructor.
We adhere to a strict 24-hour cancellation policy. If you are feeling ill, please call as soon as possible to cancel. Rushton will contact riders if the barn cancels due to weather, instructor illness, or another issue.
Cancelled lessons should be rescheduled with your instructor. Lesson packages expire at the end of each month, and missed lessons do not carry over. With 24 hours' notice, or in case of illness, we will do everything possible to reschedule a cancelled lesson within the month it was originally intended.

Sign Barn Agreements Yes! We Lease Horses!

What to wear

What should I wear to my lesson?

First-time riders may come to an introductory lesson in long pants and a hard-soled shoe. Continuing riders should acquire proper riding gear as soon as possible. Proper attire includes long pants, paddock boots or short boots with a heel, and a form-fitting top. Avoid loose clothing and cowboy boots that can catch in the stirrups. Helmets are available for beginners, though regular riders are encouraged to have their own helmet and riding pants.

Barn etiquette

Kindness, respect, and safety come first.

Please treat all horses, staff, and equipment with kindness and respect. Children must not run in the barn or reach into stalls. Listen to your instructor at all times, as safety depends on clear attention. Parents are asked to observe quietly without coaching or feeding treats without permission.

Progression

What's my skill level?

Beginner

Everybody starts somewhere, and this is where a new rider begins. Beginner riders learn to get on a horse, stop, steer, give basic commands, walk, and begin trotting. We have excellent, safe, and trustworthy beginner horses.

Advanced Beginner

Once beginners can stop and steer their horse and remain in basic control at all times, they advance to this level. Riders learn more intricate guiding away from the rail, work on consistent control, and begin learning to canter. A second rein is introduced so riders can learn to collect their horse. Group lessons with other beginners become an option partway through this level.

Intermediate

Intermediate riders have full control of their body at the walk and trot and have started cantering. They can hold, adjust, and use two reins and perform circles away from the rail at the trot. They work on mastering the canter, and group lessons are a great option. Riders also begin individual tests, which improve both mental and physical skills.

Advanced Intermediate

At this level, riders control all three gaits, can ride with two reins, and have started using a full bridle, which requires understanding and controlling two bits simultaneously. They can maneuver their horse at all gaits through traffic and wherever they need to be. Individual tests become more intricate, and the rider is capable of starting to compete at horse shows.

Advanced

Advanced riders show consistently and either lease a show horse or own one. They can handle unusual situations, understand the horse's way of going and thinking, and are capable of not just controlling the horse but making each situation work to their advantage. They learn advanced individual testing, how to make their horse look its best at all times, and work toward perfecting their overall form.