6 Steps to Making Unmounted Lessons a Powerful Asset for Your Riding Program

1. Mindset is Everything

The first and biggest tip? YOU have to believe in the power of unmounted lessons. If you don’t think they’re important, your students and their families definitely won’t. They need to see that you’re fully committed to the mindset that unmounted lessons are a critical part of building well-rounded horsemanship and life skills in your students.

I’ve seen it too many times—if you’re on the fence about unmounted lessons, it’s going to show. Your students and their families will pick up on it, and trust me, it’ll be a lot harder to get them excited about participating. So, shift your mindset first and make sure everyone knows you’re committed to making unmounted lessons a key, and non-negotiable part of your program.

Pro Tip: If you’re struggling with whether or not unmounted lessons are worth it, take a moment to ask yourself this: “Do I believe in their value enough to make them a staple in my program”? If the answer is no, that’s totally okay, but if so then this post might not be for you.

2. Create a Barn Culture That Prioritizes Unmounted Lessons

Once you’ve nailed the mindset, it’s time to shape your barn’s culture. If unmounted lessons are a priority for you, they should be a priority for everyone in your program, from the students to the volunteers to the staff. And don’t be afraid to say no to families who aren’t a good fit for your program (read: your program format is not a fit for what they need or want)

For example, I require all my students—whether they’re in adaptive/therapeutic, traditional, or equine assisted learning programs—to participate in both mounted and unmounted activities. This is a huge part of my barn culture, and it helps set what I offer apart from other programs. Families who aren’t on board with this approach simply aren’t the right fit for my program/my program is not a fit for them…. and that’s okay! It’s about aligning your barn culture with your core values, and sometimes that means not entering into a working relationship to begin with or sometimes parting ways in the future with folks who aren’t in sync with your vision.

3. Strong Policies Support Your Barn Culture

Policies are key here—they keep everything running smoothly. Your policies should reinforce the importance of unmounted lessons and make sure they’re treated with the same seriousness as mounted lessons.

For instance, my policy is that all students pay upfront for the month and their payment secures their spot in the lesson program, whether or not they show up. If we have to cancel a mounted lesson for any reason (weather, horse issues, etc.), we have a backup plan: an unmounted lesson. This policy helps keep things fair and ensures that families understand from day one that unmounted lessons aren’t optional.

Pro Tip: Make sure your policies are clear and consistent, especially when it comes to cancellations, make-ups, and how unmounted lessons fit into the bigger picture. Clear policies help avoid confusion down the road. Check out this YouTube video where I discuss my suggestions regarding the policies previously mentioned. 

4. Relate Unmounted Lessons to Riding and Life Skills

Here’s a simple but powerful tip: connect unmounted lessons to riding and real-life skills. Whether it’s teaching students how to lead a horse or helping them understand the basics of grooming and tacking, these activities go hand in hand with mounted horsemanship skills—and they translate into everyday life too.

For example, students can learn body awareness and spatial skills by leading a horse, and those skills translate directly to their riding lessons and even to situations outside the barn (like walking next to friends at school without bumping into them).

Pro Tip: Take every opportunity to explain how what the students are learning and practicing on the ground relates to what they will do in the saddle. This connection will help both the students and their families see and appreciate the value in unmounted lessons.

5. Be a Dynamic Teacher

Even the best lesson plans and arena layout won’t work and will be “boring” if your teaching skills aren’t up to par. The key to making unmounted lessons successful is how you present them. Don’t just lecture—make the lesson interactive, engaging, and fun!

This is where your teaching techniques really come into play. Make sure your unmounted lessons are challenging, but appropriate for your students’ abilities (within their Zone of Proximal Development). When students are kept engaged and appropriately challenged, they’ll be more likely to enjoy the lesson and see its value.

Pro Tip: If you’re unsure about your teaching skills, there are plenty of resources available—online tutorials, local trainers, or even shadowing other instructors. The more you learn, the better your lessons will be. Be sure to check out my event calendar to see upcoming online and live clinics that can help you grow and refine your teaching skills.

6. Keep it Simple

Finally, keep it simple. Unmounted lessons don’t have to be complicated or overloaded with information. Sometimes, the simplest activities, like haltering and leading a horse, can be some of the most valuable lessons you teach. Don’t feel like you need to overcomplicate things to keep students engaged.

Pro Tip: Instead of trying to cram everything into one session, focus on one or two things. For example, spend a lesson on haltering and leading horses, or do a deep dive into understanding and applying only once piece of TPRs (temperature, pulse, and respiration) in different ways instead of all three at once. The key is to break things down into manageable chunks so students can fully grasp each concept. Remember that it might seem simple or easy to you, but is often totally new to your students!

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Wrapping It Up

By putting these six steps into practice, you’ll not only make your unmounted lessons more effective and well received but also create a stronger, more successful program overall. Remember, mindset is everything, and once you truly believe in the value of unmounted lessons, it’ll be much easier to get your students and their families on board.

So, do you already include unmounted lessons in your program? What strategies have worked for you? Let’s continue the conversation—drop a comment below or share your thoughts!

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Disclaimer: The information provided by Hoof Falls & Footfalls is for educational purposes only and is intended to support instructors in expanding their knowledge and skills. It is not a substitute for professional training, certification, or individual judgment. By choosing to implement any of the ideas, techniques, or practices shared here, you do so at your own risk and accept full responsibility for the outcomes. Hoof Falls & Footfalls and its creator, Saebra, assume no liability for any injuries, damages, or losses resulting from the use of the information provided. Always ensure the safety and well-being of your students, horses, and yourself by following appropriate safety guidelines and industry best practices.

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