Sally Ann Cheyne Sally Ann Cheyne

So You Want to Ride — We Love That. Let's Talk.

So You Want to Ride Our Horses…

We get inquiries like this often, usually from people with some horse experience who would love to ride or exercise our horses.

We are glad you asked. Wanting to spend time with horses is where that connection begins.

Quick clarification first: if you're looking for riding lessons, we offer those and we'd love to have you if its a good fit - learn more here.

This post is specifically for currently enrolled students who want additional riding time, and for current Cheyne Ranch team members. If that's you, here's what it looks like.

The Non-Negotiables

To ride or work with our horses independently:

  • You must be an active, enrolled student here or a current Cheyne Ranch team member. No exceptions.

  • Rides happen at pre-arranged, pre-approved times during our open hours.

  • A Cheyne Ranch team member must be outside with you the entire time.

You won't be riding alone.
These expectations are in place because our horses matter and because we only offer this to riders we trust to handle that responsibility well.

Your Ride = The Whole Experience

When you ride here, you are responsible for the full process from start to finish.

This is not a situation where a horse is handed to you ready to go. Riding here means caring for the horse too.

You will be paired with the horse we feel is the best fit that day. Each horse is different, and we match thoughtfully.

That means:

  • Catching and haltering your horse

  • Grooming thoroughly, including picking feet

  • Tacking up correctly and safely

  • Double-checking the girth and helmet fit before mounting

  • Warming up your horse before getting into your ride

  • Riding with purpose, with our guidance

  • Cooling down properly

  • Untacking, rinsing if needed, and putting everything away properly

  • Cleaning up any mess your horse (or you!) made along the way

  • Returning your horse settled, comfortable, and cared for

This full process is the ride. It is an important part of becoming a true horseperson.

If you are willing to take all of this on, that says a lot about you.

What You're Cleared to Do

Riding here focuses on flatwork, and only within what you have been taught and approved for.

That may include:

  • Walk and trot, once you have shown you can do this safely

  • Ground poles, as directed

  • Cavalettis at the walk

  • The butterfly trail at a walk (especially up that hill!), accompanied by a Cheyne Ranch team member

If we have not talked about it and cleared it, the answer is no. This is about safety and setting you up for success.

What Earns Your Ride

1 hour of barn work = 1 ride session, per horse. If you ride two horses, plan on 2 hours of barn work that day.

Rides take place during daylight hours and in good weather only. Plan on being here at least 2 hours total each visit.

Saddle time is typically 30 minutes or less. That is plenty for our horses and part of how we keep them healthy, sound, and happy.

Barn work might include:

  • Cleaning stalls

  • Scrubbing water buckets

  • Sweeping

  • Moving hay / filling hay bags or hay boxes

  • Cleaning the tack room

  • Whatever the barn needs that day

This is not about paying for a ride. It is about learning responsibility, respect, and care for the animals that make all of this possible.

A note on hours:

  • Barn work hours do count as volunteer hours we can sign for

  • The ride itself, everything from catching your horse to putting them away, does not count as volunteer or paid work hours. That is the privilege

If This Still Feels Right to You

If you are reading this and still feel excited, that is a really good sign.

Show up consistently. Be willing to learn, take feedback, and help where needed.

If you do that, riding opportunities will come, and they will mean a lot more because you earned them.

That’s the goal.

 CHEYNE RANCH, INC. 

Teaching Animal Care & Connection

 Call/Text: (407) 205-7744  |   Email  |   Website  |   Facebook  |   Instagram

 Cheyne Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Consider donating: chra.us/give

Our mission:  We teach animal care and connection in a safe, inclusive, and accessible community where people of all abilities grow in confidence, develop life skills, and form meaningful relationships.

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