Adaptive Horseback Riding Lessons
Photo credit: Karen Smutz
At Cheyne Ranch, we offer adaptive horseback riding lessons for students ages 3–21, as well as adults with special needs.
Our program is built on a simple belief: We don't just ride horses — we learn to understand them.
Through horsemanship, we teach care, connection, and confidence.
Not Your Typical Barn
We are not a traditional sports barn.
We don’t focus on competition or horse shows. We focus on building a strong foundation through animal care, connection, and clear communication with the horse.
Students learn to slow down, pay attention, and work with the horse — not just ride.
If your goal is competition or show-focused training, we're happy to refer you to local barns that specialize in that path.
Lesson Overview
8-week sessions: one 60-minute lesson each week
Group size: 2–3 students, grouped by age and skill
Riding time: typically 30 minutes per lesson, building directly on what was learned on the ground
Cost: $400 per session. Payment plans and scholarships available.
Attendance: This is an 8-week commitment. There are no refunds for missed lessons. One makeup opportunity may be offered when possible.
How We Teach
At Cheyne Ranch, we believe horses deserve to be understood, not just ridden.
Groundwork is where that understanding begins. It’s where students learn to listen, to be patient, and to earn the horse’s trust before ever asking for more.
That foundation makes everything that happens in the saddle safer, more confident, and more meaningful.
Groundwork is the lesson.
Grooming, tacking, leading, and ground communication are not a warmup — they are a core part of becoming a confident, safe, and capable rider.
Horsemanship first: we focus on balance, calm communication, and genuine connection
Progress at your pace: readiness and safety guide every next step
Instructor and horse pairing: thoughtfully matched based on the horse and the student each day
Rain or Shine
In Florida, we don’t cancel for rain — we plan for it.
Rainy afternoons are some of our favorite lesson days because groundwork doesn’t depend on sunshine.
There is always meaningful work to do with two feet on the ground.
A Note About Falling
Falls can happen in horseback riding.
We take safety seriously and do our best to create a careful, attentive environment for every student.
At the same time, we believe in being honest with families up front: riding is an activity that carries inherent risk, and we want you to feel informed and confident before your student ever gets on.
🟡 Read more about our approach to safety and what happens if a fall occurs:
cheyneranch.com/fall
Not Focused on Riding?
Not every student is ready to ride.
Our PALS Program is a wonderful starting point for students who want to spend time with animals, learn how to care for them, and build confidence at their own pace.
Many of our riders got their start in PALS. No saddle required.
The Lifelong Journey
Spending time with horses offers a lifelong path of learning and growth.
At its heart, horsemanship is about becoming a calmer, clearer communicator — with horses and with ourselves.
Every lesson deepens confidence, clarity, and connection — skills that carry into every corner of life.
There’s no age limit and no finish line — just one meaningful step at a time.
Ready to Learn More?
🌟 New here? Read our Top 10 Things to Know and schedule a family visit to meet us. That's always the best first step.
📱 Returning family? Just reach out (text / email) and let us know you'd like to be added to the riding lesson schedule.
🗓️ We run programs in 8-week sessions throughout the year. Visit our schedule page to see upcoming dates.