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Horse Riding & Horsemanship Lessons
Private Horse Riding Lessons Yarra Valley
Our horses do their best to please us, it's up to us to make sure we are asking them the right questions.
Mark offers his wisdom, decades of experience, and straightforward honesty to riders of all backgrounds and skill levels with private lessons in the Yarra Valley. Visit MJTS or he can travel to you if you're a Yarra Valley local.
Mark is not just a horse trainer; he's a mentor in the art of horsemanship. He educates his clients in all facets of horsemanship, from groundwork, correct fitting of tack through to building confident riding skills. Mark can help with rider position, body language, and the precise application and timing of aids, and refine your skills in Western or English riding disciplines. And if you're simply wanting to expose your horse to trail riding adventures, Mark's got you covered there too. As a qualified horse riding instructor in the Yarra Valley, Mark's lessons are designed to provide you with the individual skills and confidence you need.
The first and most important part of working with a horse is understanding how they think. It's the starting point that makes training smoother, not just for you but, for your horse. From the moment you catch your horse through to when you let them go, your horse is learning something. It’s your role to make sure what they’re learning is beneficial. Even for those with a trained horse, if you don’t invest in learning how to ride them in a way they understand, they can become confused and frustrated with undesirable behaviours likely to arise.
Whether you're grappling with fear, anxiety, or confidence issues that have taken the joy out of riding, as a qualified horse riding instructor, Mark is able to help you rediscover your love for being in the saddle and riding with a smile. Fear of injury, past mistakes, or struggles in getting your horse to respond can be daunting hurdles. Mark’s guidance will get you back on track and working towards those goals you may have given up on.
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When To ArriveWe ask riders arrive at least 15 minutes before their lesson starts to ensure there’s enough time for tacking up and a chat.
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Cancellations & WeatherIf you are unable to come to your scheduled lesson, we ask that you phone and cancel your spot as soon as possible. If less than 48hrs notice, cancellation fees may apply. For the safety of our riders and horses, lessons with Mark may be cancelled with short notice due to extreme heat, muddy conditions, rain and/or windy weather. In this case, the customer will be offered a make up lesson on a different day (date subject to availability).
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Benefits Of A Private Horse Riding LessonIn the saddle or on the ground, each lesson is tailored to the rider's ability, the problems they are having with their horse and their goals. A private lesson allows you to ask questions openly and cover more than you could in a group setting. You can focus on a specific problem or choose what to concentrate on to work towards your ultimate goal.
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What To Wear & Bring To Your LessonAll riders are required to wear suitable riding attire including an approved safety helmet, long pants and closed-in riding boots. We also encourage you to bring a drink bottle and sunscreen when required. Please also download, print and bring your signed/completed Rider Waiver to your first lesson. You can download it here.
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Lesson PricingLessons available Monday-Saturday, by appointment only Onsite at MJTS in Macclesfield Private lessons on your horse - $100 Private lessons on a school horse - $150 Shared lessons (min 2 people) - $80 per person Offsite at your facility (Yarra Valley only) Private lessons - $150 Shared lessons (min 2 people) - $100 per person Please note all lesson payments are due on the day of the lesson. We do not offer accounts. You can pay cash at time of lesson, or a bank transfer.
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Lesson FocusesTailored to your goals, lessons can focus on: Horsemanship Handling & groundwork Riding technique Western riding disciplines English riding disciplines Trail riding
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Week 2-3Now that the horse is comfortable wearing a roller and bridle and is moving freely on a lunge line, Mark begins working in the long reins. Starting in the halter, he teaches the horse to accept him being behind them and learning to steer, stop and back up. Once they understand this, the reins are attached to the bridle and he works on the same exercises. Mark will long line a horse in the arena, and around the property, using natural obstacles for them to cross during this period. The saddle is introduced next. Please note: The process of starting a horse under saddle typically spans around 8 to 10 weeks, although this can vary based on the horse's unique personality and prior handling experiences. However, this timeframe serves as a general guideline, and Mark will continue to update regarding your horse's progress, particularly during the second to third weeks.
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Week 1The first weeks usually consist of getting to know your horse, and building a connection on the ground. Mark spends the time acclimatising your horse to accepting him standing beside them on a mounting block, and being comfortable with him being above them on the fence. Mark will work on their ground manners and improving their leading, progressing onto lunging. The roller and bridle is introduced at this stage. Please note: The process of starting a horse under saddle typically spans around 8 to 10 weeks, although this can vary based on the horse's unique personality and prior handling experiences. However, this timeframe serves as a general guideline, and Mark will continue to update regarding your horse's progress, particularly during the second to third weeks.
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Length of ProgramThe process of starting a horse under saddle typically spans around 8 to 10 weeks, although this can vary based on the horse's unique personality and prior handling experiences. However, this timeframe serves as a general guideline, and Mark will continue to update regarding your horse's progress, particularly during the second to third weeks.
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Week 6-7Mark proceeds to ride out of the round yard and in the large arena, where your horse will learn to develop clear paces, walk, trot and canter; track circles and straight lines; moving the hip and shoulder; then onto leg yielding on the circle. At this stage, Mark starts to ask for more collection, suppleness and smoother transitions. Please note: The process of starting a horse under saddle typically spans around 8 to 10 weeks, although this can vary based on the horse's unique personality and prior handling experiences. However, this timeframe serves as a general guideline, and Mark will continue to update regarding your horse's progress, particularly during the second to third weeks.
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Week 8-10Mark continues to refine the transitions and body control, whilst maintaining collection in the arena, and then continues training out on the roads and trails to give the horse more exposure. Please note: The process of starting a horse under saddle typically spans around 8 to 10 weeks, although this can vary based on the horse's unique personality and prior handling experiences. However, this timeframe serves as a general guideline, and Mark will continue to update regarding your horse's progress, particularly during the second to third weeks.
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Visiting & FeedWe encourage clients to visit their horse during the starting process, however we require visits to be booked in advance. While in training, horses are fed 2x hard feeds per day and are given access to ample grass hay.
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Week 4-5By this time Mark is riding your horse in the round yard, teaching them to move forward off the leg with smooth transitions and suppleness in the bridle. Please note: The process of starting a horse under saddle typically spans around 8 to 10 weeks, although this can vary based on the horse's unique personality and prior handling experiences. However, this timeframe serves as a general guideline, and Mark will continue to update regarding your horse's progress, particularly during the second to third weeks.
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Trainer for Western Horse Riding DisciplinesAs a seasoned competitor in reining and cutting himself, Mark has a natural talent for training successful Western performance horses. Whether you're interested in campdrafting, reigning, team penning, cutting, or Western pleasure, Mark's here to school your horse in the essential aids and maneuvers. Your horse will learn to executing techniques like neck reining, rollbacks, spins, slide stops, side pass, and more.
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Solving Horse Behavioural IssuesWhen it comes to horses that are giving you a hard time, addressing their challenging behavior often means digging into the underlying issues that have developed. In most cases, misbehavior stems from being allowed or inadvertently trained to do so, and/or an absence of consistent boundaries and respect. As a professional horse trainer, Mark can help you tackle horse behavioural problems help head-on, including: Agression towards people and other horses - biting, kicking, striking, food agression Fear - herd bound/seperation anxiety, general anxiety, spookiness, fears about specific things e.g. float Under saddle problems - bucking, rearing, bolting, lazy or unresponsive, impulsion, aggression when tacking up Handling and management problems - poor ground manners, pulling back when tied up, aggression during routine care e.g. farrier
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Trainer for English Horse Riding DisciplinesMark's expertise isn't confined to just Western performance horses, he's also well-versed in training for various English disciplines. Whether you're into dressage, showing, eventing, or jumping, Mark can advance your horse's training and fine-tune your horse's skills with aids and manoeuvres specific to your chosen English riding discipline. Think flying lead changes, halt to canter, half pass, and more.
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Groundwork & FoundationsNo matter what discipline you ride, or what age your horse is, groundwork will benefit your horse and improve your skills. Ensuring the basic foundations both on the ground and in the saddle are correct will help resolve problem behaviours and allow you to progress onto more advanced training.
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Float Training a HorseHorse floating can be a common problem for horse owners. Mark has a proven track record of resolving floating issues for both horse and owner. Mark can guide you and your horse through the right techniques that will make floating a breeze, having both you and your horse floating happily, without fear or stress. Whether its a horse nervous about loading onto the float or anxiety when they're onboard, Mark will help create a stress-free floating experience, ensuring the safety and comfort of both horse and rider.
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Weanling/Yearling Horse Training ProgramMark’s Weanling/Yearling training program consists of interacting, handling, exposing and teaching them the fundamentals to set them up for future success. Over a minimum of two weeks, Mark will work with the horse on: Handling, catching, washing, tying up, grooming, leg handling and rugging Lunging in round yard Float training
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Visiting & FeedWe encourage clients to visit their horse during the starting process, however we require visits to be booked in advance. While in training, horses are fed 2x hard feeds per day and are given access to ample grass hay.
For the Truly Committed Rider
What we require from you as a client
Our horse riding and horsemanship lessons are reserved for the truly committed riders. It's a commitment that demands more than just financial investment; it calls for you to commit time, energy, and to your trainer. You need to be willing to further your horses AND your own education, grasping the methods and putting in the hours to practice, practice, practice.
Mark limits the number of riders he instructs to ensure that every client receives the utmost attention and expertise. Due to this, we extend our horse riding and horsemanship lessons exclusively to clients who are committed to their education and training.
