Vaquero/Buckaroo Horsemanship Horseback Riding Lessons

Experience the joy of working with horses- whether you have your own, or you learn with ours!

Our lessons are geared toward anyone with a passion for horses and the desire to learn more about these amazing animals. Whether you are a first time horse owner who needs some help, an experienced rider who wants to learn more about Vaquero Horsemanship techniques(the basis of todays Natural Horsemanship Movement), or a horse-crazy child who just wants to spend time with horses, we can tailor a lesson program specifically to your needs.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Vaquero Horsemanship lessons. If you have a question that you don’t see here, or if you want more information, email us at info@donohuehorsemanship.com

What is Vaquero Horsemanship?

Vaquero Horsemanship is simply a method of working with horses that involves using trust and respect as motivators, rather than fear and force. The goal is to have the horse do what we ask because he chooses to, rather than because he is forced to. By teaching a horse this way, the result is a willing animal who looks to his rider for leadership and comfort, creating a friendship and partnership- a lasting bond- between horse and human.

Why Choose Vaquero Horsemanship?

Vaquero Horsemanship techniques benefit both horses and people. These techniques create a learning environment for the horse that cause him to feel safe, comfortable, and content. This, in turn, causes the horse to develop a very strong trust and respect for his rider. A mutually trusting and respectful relationship between horse and rider is not only a very positive and rewarding experience in itself, it can also cause many other positive things. For one, the rider’s safety is increased by having a horse that is respectful of his rider’s space on the ground, and is a willing partner in anything the rider asks of him. And, when every once in a while a problem arises, the rider has the knowledge and tools to safely find a solution. Additionally, the ideas learned in Natural Horsemanship techniques can transfer positively to other relationships in life. Students learn the effectiveness of communicating through trust, respect, kindness, and an open mind. 

What is Groundwork?

Groundwork is the work we do with the horse before mounting that prepares both horse and rider for the ride. This includes work both on and off a halter and lead rope, and can take place in either the round pen or arena, depending on what exercises are being performed. The goal of groundwork is to assure that the horse and rider are both focused, and mentally in a good place. This way, if any problems come up, they can be addressed before the rider mounts, which increases the safety of both horse and rider. When working with a troubled horse, it is through groundwork that we begin to form the calm and trusting relationship that is our ultimate goal.

How is a Lesson Structured?

All lessons are one hour in length and are individual, so each student receives an hour of one-on-one attention. If students have their own horses, they groom and saddle prior to the lesson, unless they need help of some kind. If students do not have their own horses, and use ours, the lesson begins with learning to groom and saddle the horse. The student will groom and saddle the horse at the beginning of every lesson. While the goal is to have each student be capable of doing these things independently, we will always be right there, on hand, ready to help when needed. After saddling, we will do some groundwork, the amount of which depends on the level of the rider and horse. After groundwork will come the riding time. Because each lesson is an individual lesson, what we do during the riding lesson is dependent upon the rider’s experience, comfort level, and of course, what the rider is curious about learning. After the ride, the student will unsaddle and put away the horse. Our goal is to teach our students not just how to ride, but true horsemanship, and that includes the preparation that goes into actually getting into the saddle. We think it is important for students to learn these aspects as well as riding, and we find that our students truly enjoy spending this out-of-saddle time with the horses.

An average lesson is divided up as:

                        5-10 minutes grooming/saddling

                        5-10 minutes doing groundwork

35-45 minutes in the saddle (this depends most strongly on the student’s age… younger children are more likely to spend about 30 minutes in the saddle, where older and more advanced students are more likely to spend closer to the full hour in the saddle)

5-10 minutes unsaddling/grooming