Private Riding Lessons
Dana is now offering private riding lessons for ages 3 and up. She offers lessons for beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders. No experience is necessary to begin. You can choose to learn to ride English, Western, or both. Each lesson will be customized based on your goals. Riding lessons will be focused on learning good horsemanship skills and how to ride correctly while having fun. After all, riding should be fun... or you're not doing it right!
Lessons are available for all ages. There is a seating area available by the round pen for you to watch your child ride. Lessons are one-on-one. Group lessons aren't available. Helmets are required and provided for kids under the age of 18, but are optional for adults.
You can learn barrel racing, pole bending, roping, western pleasure, showmanship, jumping, huntseat, driving, and more. If you're not interested in competing, you can learn how to be a confident rider. You can also learn what it takes to own and care for a horse of your own. You will be asked at the beginning of each lesson, "What would you like to do today?" Every lesson is tailored to what you want to learn or work on that day. Dana wants to help you meet your goals and 'enjoy the ride' along the way.
When Are Lessons Offered?
Lessons are offered 7 days a week, subject to availability. You can do lessons as frequently or sporadically as you choose. It isn't necessary to sign up for a series of lessons at a predetermined day and time, but most people do. Dana's lesson program is flexible and can accommodate most people's schedules. She has a well-lit round pen, so lessons after school or work aren't a problem.
Cost Of Private Riding Lessons
- 1-Hour Lessons
- Purchase individually - $100/lesson
- Buy 10 lessons, and get one free (Full payment is due at the time of purchase. Packages are non-refundable.)
- An additional $30 will be charged for riders over 200 lbs who need to ride a draft horse (like the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses) who are more expensive to buy, to feed, and to shoe.
- 30-Minute Lessons
- $60/lesson
- Available for very young children or those with shorter attention spans or limited physical abilities
- At least 12 hours' notice must be given to reschedule any lesson, or you'll be charged for the lesson.
What To Expect During Your Riding Lesson
During the 1-hour lesson, you will spend about 20 minutes getting the horse out, brushing, cleaning out its hooves, and saddling your horse. About 40 minutes will be spent in the saddle. For very young childern or individuals with a shorter attention span or special needs, a shorter 30-minute lesson is available for $50 per lesson.
Reservations For A Riding Lesson
You can contact Dana directly at (919) 264-2395 to schedule your lesson, and she will give you the information you need in order to pay for your lesson. Your lesson will need to be paid for in full to get on the schedule and reserve your spot. She accepts Venmo, Paypal, Cash App, Zelle, and Cash.
About Dana Carlough
Dana grew up on Dead Broke Farm and began riding on my horse with me, Carla (the owner of Dead Broke Farm), when she was just 15 months old. She took naps on horseback, nursed on horseback, and rode 8 hour rides offsite by the time she was 2 years old. By the time she was 4½ years old and weighed all of 35 lbs, she had her own 16-hand Thouroughbred x Quarter Horse and was riding by herself on 6-8 hour camping trail rides. She became a paid staff member as an assistant guide at the tender age of 10. She has been guiding trail rides, giving lessons, and working at our children's summer camp most of her life. As a teen, she trained horses to show in hunter under saddle, western pleasure, halter, showmanship, and ran barrels and poles.
As an adult, she buys and sells mainly horses, but she also raises and sells miniature Australian Shepherds, cows, and some exotic animals (camels, zebras, emus, etc) for a living. Over the years, Dana has worked with horses and has become a well-known professional in the horse industry - especially at the horse auctions both locally and in many other states: Ohio, Pennylvania, Alabama, Virginia, Georgia, and even as far away as Texas. Her desire is to continue sharing her passion for horses with others by offering lessons, so now is your chance to have private riding lessons with her or one of her associate instructors.