BONOGIN VALLEY HORSE RETREAT
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FAQ
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Yes, we supply horses, or you can bring your own for lessons. Our horses are great for confidence building and we have a range of horse types and sizes for all levels. If you ever thought of owning a horse our HORSE HIRE or PART HORSE LEASE is a great option for the feeling of horse ownership without all the responsibilities and stress.
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We conduct lessons from 5 years old and up with a good mix of kids and adults of any age. Many group lessons are a minimum age of 8 years old.
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The maximum weight is 90kg for the welfare of our horses.
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Coaching is generally based in a fenced area such as a round yard or sand arena from 40x20m size.
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Long pants, a collared shirt is ideal in the sun riding, no midriff tops, and closed in shoes are required at the stables by riders at all times and boots a requirement after the first lesson for any repeat visits. All visitors are also to wear closed in shoes. Helmets are supplied.
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The focus is on coaching how to connect with your horse and use proper hand and leg techniques to develop your riding and performance. Very achievement focused on student progression ensuring constant learning at all times.
Lessons may include 5-10 minutes for preparation and put away time. Part of the time can be requested to learn horse care handling/grooming/saddle/bridle, important if wanting to own a horse one day. Competent regulars are encouraged to assist with pre and post groundwork to establish better relationships with your horse.
We supply the horses or you can bring your own.
Private lessons are ideal for beginners to learn the basics needed when one-on-one assistance is needed, or shared up to two people is recommended for quality and speed of learning.
Group lessons are good when you have achieved a good rise trot with control of your horse so that you can progress in the group environment.
Experienced? You can sit and rise trot, ride arena patterns, canter slow and fast and achieve transitions between all paces. Lesson focus options would be on advanced learning to be able to ride various horses and get them to perform with flexing, leg yielding, side pass, dressage test movements, western skills such as riding one-handed, handling slow and fast work, turns on front and back legs and focus on various equine disciplines.
Horse care and handling groundwork lessons are fantastic to understand horses and feel confident and in control around horses. To establish a relationship with horses, understand their behaviours, and be able to prepare your own horse for riding.
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Weather can be very different at the riding centre compared to suburban areas. We will call you to cancel/reschedule on the day with as much notice as possible if required, otherwise, your lesson is still going ahead. We will generally not conduct lessons in heavy pouring rain and definitely not when there is lightning around.
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We are open Tue, Thu, Fri & Sat. Please check our Activities page for availability
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Group or horse intro classes are usually from $35pp/hr with full days in school holidays from $100pp.
Riding lesson development options vary between $40-$180 depending on whether you are riding on your own or sharing with others. Joining our Members Hub and paying in advance can provide up to 25% discount on lessons.
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Some facilities will accept cash on last-minute bookings such as pony ride or trail riding products, otherwise, most riding lessons are direct deposit, credit card, Bartercard or PayPal.
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We have some wonderful students that have earned their place at the stables to be a representative of the business and become part of a horse family, home away from home with the horses.
To become a helper you need to be minimum of 11 years old and it really is more about your confidence, capability, and size to handle the bigger horses.
Skills that you need to be competent in are catching a horse, tying up with a slip knot, grooming, saddle up and put a bridle on. The ability to be firm with the horses and confidence to manage various behaviours.
You will need to be friendly, polite, and respectful of others as well as being the face of the business working in a quiet environment in harmony with others. The helping is not just to come and play with horses but learning the responsibilities of horses and farm life.
There is a list of duties to be done from cleaning stables to cleaning the kitchen, sweeping, weeding, and organising horses for lessons.
Please download the “must read for parents” article as it has a wonderful story from a past student, helper and worker that explains a horse family and business very well and really touches the heart. See the icon at the bottom of the page.
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