Riding Lessons

Racing Hearts McIntyre Centre offers inclusive riding lessons for able and disabled participants, equine-assisted wellness and therapy, natural horsemanship, groundwork, and specialist coaching for children, adults, beginners, returning riders, and advanced equestrians. Many of our programs are also aligned with NDIS therapeutic goals and packages. Whether you are learning to ride, rebuilding confidence, developing competition skills, or connecting with horses in a therapeutic setting, our team will help guide you toward the right program.

Riding Lessons

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Equine-Assisted Therapy

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Finding the Right Lesson Pathway

Every rider, participant, and horse journey is different. Some students come to us for their very first experience with horses, some are developing independent riding skills, some are working toward competition goals, and others are looking for the therapeutic, emotional, physical, or confidence-building benefits of time with horses.

Our lesson pathways are designed to meet people where they are. We offer ridden and non-ridden programs across ability levels, with options for children, adults, riders with disability, NDIS participants, and equestrians wanting specialist coaching in dressage, jumping, western dressage, natural horsemanship, and equine behaviour.

Riding Lessons

Cost: $100 - 150

- One hour lessons

- English basics, dressage, jumping

- Horses and ponies available, or bring your own

- Private, Semi-private or Group

- Arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson

- Riders must wear long pants, riding boots with a suitable small heel, and wear a helmet (boots and helmet available at the centre).

Our riding lessons support riders from their first time in the saddle through to more advanced skill development. Lessons focus on confidence, safety, balance, position, horse care, communication, and progressive riding skills in a supportive environment.

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Lessons for Riders with Disability

Cost: $enquire

- One hour lessons

- Adaptive riding & additional support

- Horses and ponies available for riders of all ages and abilites

- Usually private or semi-private

- Arrive 15 minutes prior to your lesson

- Riders must wear long pants, riding boots and wear helmet (available at the centre)

Our adaptive riding lessons provide supportive, inclusive riding opportunities for people with disability. These sessions are designed to build confidence, coordination, connection, independence, and joy through safe, structured interaction with horses.

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Equine-Assisted Therapy

Cost: $100 - 150

- One hour lessons

- Goal-based equine-assisted therapy or horse-based support programs

- Horses and ponies available

- Private, Semi-private or Group

- Arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson

- Riders must wear long pants, riding boots with a suitable small heel, and wear a helmet (boots and helmet available at the centre).

We offer equine-assisted therapy programs that may align with NDIS goals, depending on the participant’s plan, needs, and support requirements. These sessions may include ridden or non-ridden work and can support confidence, emotional regulation, communication, physical coordination, social participation, and personal development.

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Tiny Tots Lessons

Cost: $100-150

- One hour lessons

- Young children beginning their horse journey

- Horses and ponies suitable for the littlest of riders

- Private, Semi-private or Group

- Arrive 15 minutes prior to your lesson

- Riders must wear long pants, riding boots and wear helmet (available at the centre)

Tiny Tots lessons introduce young children to horses in a gentle, age-appropriate way. Sessions are leadline, and may include arena and forest rides, games, balance activities, confidence-building exercises, and safe, positive early experiences around horses.

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Dressage Lessons

Cost: $120 - 150

- One hour lessons

- Beginner and intermediate dressage

- Horses and ponies available - or bring your own

- Private, Semi-private or Group

- Arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson

- Riders must wear long pants, riding boots with a suitable small heel, and wear a helmet (boots and helmet available at the centre).

Dressage lessons focus on balance, rhythm, softness, accuracy, rider position, clear aids, and effective communication between horse and rider. These lessons are suitable for riders developing classical foundations, improving flatwork, preparing for tests, or wanting to become more balanced and thoughtful in the saddle.

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Natural Horsemanship & Equine Behaviour

Cost: $135-150

- One hour lessons, structured in six-week course block

- Non-ridden classes

- Horses and ponies available, or bring your own

- Private or Semi-private

- Arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson

- Students must wear long pants and closed-toe riding boots

Natural horsemanship and equine behaviour sessions focus on understanding the horse from the ground up. Drawing on recognised equine behavioural science and Monty Roberts’ principles of communication, these lessons help students develop awareness, timing, trust, confidence, and safer, more respectful partnerships with horses.

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Western Dressage

Cost: $150

- One hour lessons

- Beginner through advanced

- Horses and ponies available - or bring your own

- Private or Semi-private

- Arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson

- Riders must wear long pants, riding boots with a suitable small heel, and wear a helmet (boots and helmet available at the centre).

Western Dressage brings classical dressage principles into a western riding style, focusing on softness, harmony, accuracy, relaxation, and clear communication. These lessons are ideal for riders wanting to develop a responsive, balanced, and confident western horse.

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Jumping with Rebel Morrow

Cost: $175

- One hour lesson

- Horses and ponies available, or bring your own

- Private, group or Semi-private

- Arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson

- Riders must wear long pants, riding boots with a suitable small heel, and wear a helmet (boots and helmet available at the centre).

For riders ready to develop their jumping skills, Olympian Rebel Morrow offers advanced coaching focused on rider position, confidence, rhythm, lines, accuracy, and effective communication over fences. These lessons are suited to riders with established foundations who are ready for more technical development.

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Non-Ridden Horse Experiences

Cost: $125

- One hour lessons

- Students of all abilities

- Horses and ponies available

- Private or Semi-private

- Arrive 15 minutes prior to your lesson

- Students must wear long pants and closed-toe riding boots

Some of the most powerful learning happens on the ground. Our non-ridden horse experiences are designed for people who want to build confidence, understand horse behaviour, learn groundwork, develop emotional awareness, or simply spend meaningful time with horses without riding.

These sessions may include grooming, leading, groundwork, liberty-style exercises, horsemanship skills, horse care, equine behaviour education, and confidence-building activities. They are ideal for beginners, nervous participants, therapy clients, adults returning to horses, and anyone interested in deepening their connection with horses in a safe and supportive way.

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Women's Return to Riding Group

Cost: $125-150

- One hour lesson

- Horses available, or bring your own

- Group or Semi-private

- Arrive 30 minutes prior to your lesson

- Riders must wear long pants, riding boots with a suitable small heel, and wear a helmet (boots and helmet available at the centre).

Our Adult Women’s Riding Group offers a supportive space for women to ride, learn, rebuild confidence, and enjoy time with horses in good company. These sessions are ideal for adults returning to riding, riders wanting a gentle and encouraging environment, or women looking for a regular riding experience with a sense of community. The focus is on confidence, connection, skill-building, and enjoying the process — without pressure, judgement, or the feeling that you need to “already know everything” before you begin.

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What to Expect

New students begin with an initial assessment or introductory session so we can understand their experience, confidence, goals, support needs, and the most suitable lesson pathway. This helps us match each participant with the right coach, horse, lesson type, and level of support. Arrive 15 minutes prior to your first lesson. We'll discuss your interests, needs and complete an evaluation of current skills. Then, we'll pair you with the right instructor and horse, and schedule your regular lesson spot.

For RDA, NDIS, therapy-based programs, nervous riders, or students with specific needs, we may ask for additional information before booking to ensure the safest and most appropriate experience.