Riding Lesson Information
Our #1 goal at TNT is to help you achieve your goals. Your goal might be to feel safe and secure enough to truly enjoy each ride on your horse, whether in the arena or on the trail. Or your goals might include competing in dressage, owning your own horse, or becoming more fit and active. The goals I most often hear from my students are that they want to become a better rider for their horse’s benefit, they want to overcome fears that are disrupting their enjoyment of riding, or that they desire their relationship with their horse to be a partnership based on mutual communication, trust, and respect. All of the goals I’ve just listed are the objectives of Classical Training - the foundation of our riding and training program at TNT.
Scroll down for FAQ and general lesson information and leasing info.
Riding lessons at TNT are tailored to the goals of each student, whether you are a beginner or an advanced rider, young or young at heart! Children and adult riders often have very different needs, they also find different aspects of riding rewarding. At TNT, we cater to the needs of the adult rider in particular. More than 75% of our students are ladies age 20 - 60 who are new to riding or returning after an extended absence. Many of them were surprised to learn that they weren’t alone in their pursuit of a dream they had tucked away in their hearts since childhood.
Lesson Rates
All riders are expected to be tacked prior to lesson start time. Advanced riders are expected to be tacked and warmed prior to lesson start time.
Monthly discounted rate only applies if all time slots are reserved (paid for) at the beginning of the month.
45 min. private Lessons on student owned/leased horse (Boarded) with Prepaid Month discount = $30/lesson
45 min. private lesson on TNT School Horse or trailer-in lesson = $45/lesson
1 hr. group lesson (advanced riders only) = $25 student owned/leased horse, $35 school horse
Private lessons can begin at any time. Call 330-461-2318 for available times.
Individual (one lesson only) lessons are $5 more than above Prepaid prices.
Group lessons include 3-5 riders of similar skill levels. For specific times and to enroll call (330) 461-2318 or email tntequestrian@aol.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
I am ____ yrs. old. Can I really still learn to ride?
Of course! Most of my students fall in to the adult novice category. Some have never ridden before and some haven't ridden in 20 years. You will be in good company!
Do I need my own horse?
No, we have school horses available. However, at TNT we strongly believe in the importance of leasing or owning a horse, once the student is ready, in order that our student's progress may continue. For this reason, once a student is able to ride independently, we strongly encourage our students to consider a partial lease so that they may practice outside of lessons and enjoy greater progress and comraderie with their horse and other students. In this vein, partial leases are very affordable and lessons are greatly discounted as part of the lease package. Work for lease options are made available to any hardworking, reliable adult wishing to offset the cost.
What should I expect, how long does it take to learn to ride?
All new riders at TNT must begin in private lessons. Beginner riders will remain in private lessons until they can safely and confidently control a horse, on their own, at a walk and a trot while also maintaining an adequately independent seat. This usually requires 3 months or more. After which time, riders can join a group if they prefer or they can choose to remain in private lessons. Group dressage lessons are available for riders with established seats. Adults are often surprised to find that they too get a lot out of riding in a group. Private lunge line lessons are invaluable, however, especially in the beginning.
What will I learn?
Balanced Seat (Classical Seat)Riding (Beginner - Intermediate) - Novice riders will begin by learning a balanced and centered position on the horse - the Classical Seat. Beginning students are taught in a dressage saddle as it is designed to put the rider in a Classical Seat and keep the rider as close to the horse as possible. However, the principles learned are very applicable to balanced western and forward (hunt) seat equitation as well. Riders will be taught how to communicate CLEARLY with their horse through the effective use of their aids. Students will be expected (once taught) to groom and tack their own horse. Horsemanship skills and basic horse care are a big part of the TNT riding program. Students will be expected to learn about the nature of the horse and use compassion and patience in all of the interactions with the horse. Riders will enjoy a wide variety of horse activities in order that they may become well rounded riders. As they advance, they will ride outside, on trail, over ground poles and crossrails, play games and do gymkhana.
Classical Dressage/Training (Intermediate-Advanced) - once riders have advanced to the point that they have an independent seat, they will begin to learn the technical aspects of Classical Training. To summarize, Classical Training encompasses a lot of objectives, but mainly the goal is to help the horse be ready, willing, and able to do the job requested of him. He must be READY because his body has been gymnastically prepared. He must be WILLING because his mind has been psychologically prepared, he understands what he is being asked to do, and as a result, he is obediant = Horsemanship. He will be ABLE if his rider is not getting in his way, asking the impossible (conflicting aids), or giving unclear aids = Classical Seat. Of course, these objectives can be applied to almost any type of activity that a person might want to do with a horse provided it is beneficial for the horse mentally and physically.
Lunge "Seat" Lessons - riders of all levels constantly strive to improve their seat and position through the use of lunge lessons. The lunge lesson provides an opportunity for the rider to concentrate soley on himself. A correct and deep seat (strong and still) can only be learned with much concentration and lots of strengthening work. This is easiest in the beginning on the lunge line. As the rider's seat becomes more stable, he/she will be able to give far clearer aids to their horse, eliminating much confusion. Many riders are hurried into imitating the form of an advanced rider when they haven't yet developed the strength or awareness necessary to keep themselves stable and balanced on the moving horse. When this happens the rider must grip to stay on, which causes tension in the horse and muddled aids from the rider - gripping legs and hands can not possibly give clear or quiet aids. Training of the horse can only possibly begin once the rider has developed sufficent ability to hold his seat stable and use his aids independently.
Choosing an Instructor:
TNT Instructors:
Please call (330) 461 - 2318 for more information or email at tntequestrian@aol.com.
When looking for an instructor it's very important to check out the instructor's qualifications. As there is no mandatory licensing for horse professionals in this country anyone can "hang out a sign". Experience and a high concern for safety are of utmost importance. Also, someone who has true professional training (years-long apprenticeship under a recognized master or several) will provide the student with the most correct instruction; greatly increasing the students safety, understanding, and progress.
Shannon Edgar - Owner, Head Trainer/Instructor 
Shannon Edgar has 12+ years of experience teaching and training students and horses of all levels. She spent 4 years as an apprentice of Robert Mayer at the Robert Mayer Riding Academy. As such, she received thousands of hours of formal lessons in riding, teaching, and training from Robert Mayer. Robert Mayer is certified by the British Horse Society and the Federation Nationale (Germany). Taught in the tradition of the Spanish Riding School, he passes that tradition on to his apprentices. In preparation for USDF certification she has participated in teaching/training clinics with Lilo Fore - international judge, trainer, and rider.
