Horseback riding lessons

Hunter/jumper is a style of English riding, the tradition of a close-contact saddle and a rider moving in harmony with the horse. It has two sides. Hunters are judged on smooth, elegant, even rounds over fences, while jumpers are judged on careful, clear rounds against the clock. Both begin with a strong foundation on the flat, and that English foundation is exactly what our trainers teach here.

Absolutely. Many of our riders start with no experience at all. Beginners learn at the Legacy Barn on calm, dependable school horses that build confidence from your very first walk.

Riders can start as young as 6, and there is no upper age limit. We begin at 6 because a full hour in the saddle asks for a certain attention span, listening skills, and physical development to sit tall and balanced, which is a good deal longer than most younger children are ready to focus in one place. We are glad to consider younger riders case by case.

Yes. There is no upper age limit at MacNair's, and we run several adult-only classes throughout the week, both for riders returning to the saddle and for those starting fresh as grown-ups.

Yes. We work with riders of all ages toward a variety of goals. Whether your dream is to attend NCHJA Medal Finals or simply to enjoy learning horsemanship and riding, we want to help you get there.

Wonderful. Whether you have just moved to Raleigh or taken some time away from horses, we would love to help you get back in the saddle. Complete our Rider Interest Form to tell us about your riding history and goals.

After we review your form, we will schedule a time for you to meet with a trainer who will assess your horsemanship and riding skills, then recommend a lesson group.

Some lesson times have immediate openings, while others have a waitlist. The best first step is our Rider Interest Form, and we will let you know what is currently open for your level and schedule.

For beginners, an assistant is right there to help you meet your horse, learn to groom, and tack up. Your first mounts are assisted, and riders stay in this supported setting until they are ready to move up to the Top Barn. It is a calm, friendly introduction, and you are never left to figure things out on your own.

Not at all. Beginner and lesson-program riders learn on our reliable school horses, so you do not need to own or lease a horse to get started. Riders who want more time in the saddle can look into our lease and board programs.

Beginner riders at the Legacy Barn may borrow a helmet from us, so you can come to your first lesson without buying gear. Experienced riders coming for an evaluation ride at the Top Barn should bring their own helmet.

For any lesson, closed-toe shoes or boots with a small heel are required for safety. We also recommend comfortable, fitted long pants such as riding tights or leggings.

Yes, and we love having families cheer their riders on. At the Legacy Barn there are bleachers and a viewing room, and at the Top Barn there are picnic tables where you can settle in and watch.

We do ask one thing: even parents with horse experience, please trust our trainers and their assistants to do the teaching, and avoid entering the ring or calling out instructions to your child. Please also remember that horses can be easily startled, so leave at home anything that might spook them, such as umbrellas or a football to toss with a younger sibling.

Group lessons are $75 per lesson. Private lessons, available only to riders who lease or own a horse, are $85 per lesson. Evaluation rides, used to place experienced riders in the right group, are $85.

Your lesson price includes the horse, all of the tack, and access to our 220-acre farm, including the trails and fields. There is nothing extra to buy in order to ride. Just come ready to learn.

Riders keep a card on file and are billed once a month, in advance, for the coming month of lessons, so there is nothing to remember and no invoice to track.

Yes. We are happy to make a gift certificate for lessons if you would like to give the gift of riding. Just reach out to the office and we will set it up.

We understand that life happens. Riders may skip a set number of lessons each year and have those lessons left off their bill. Just let us know ahead of time so we can plan our horses' schedules for the day.

Our lesson program runs seven days a week. We offer afternoon and weekend lessons, plus some daytime lessons for adults. Groups are organized by ability, and we will help you find a lesson time that fits your riding needs and your schedule.

We ask every rider to commit to a weekly lesson time, because that steady rhythm is what makes riders stronger. Riding once a week builds the muscles and balance the sport asks for, develops consistent horsemanship habits, and lets you advance right alongside your lesson group.

A rider's time may shift as they progress into more advanced classes. We are unable to accommodate riders who cannot commit to at least one weekly lesson.

Our program is built around a weekly commitment rather than one-time or drop-in lessons, because steady weekly practice is what helps riders truly progress. If you are new, the Rider Interest Form is the perfect place to start.

Our group lessons are kept small, with about 6 to 8 riders, so every rider gets real attention from the trainer while still enjoying the fun and motivation of learning alongside others.

Group lessons last one hour. Private lessons, for riders who board or lease a horse, may last 30 to 45 minutes.

Riders groom and tack their own horse before riding, so plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early. After the lesson, riders help with any care the horse needs, such as bathing, blanketing, or turnout, and clean their tack.

Private lessons are available only to riders who board or lease a horse. We do not offer private lessons to lesson-program riders who do not board or lease a horse.

Riders advance as their skills grow, moving from walk and trot to canter and eventually jumping. When your trainer feels you are ready, they will recommend moving you into a more advanced group, and in time from the Legacy Barn to the Top Barn. You can read more on our graduating to intermediate and advanced lessons page.

Safety comes first in everything we do. Beginner lessons always have one or more assistants on hand, and beginners ride calm, dependable school horses and can borrow a helmet at the Legacy Barn. Our lesson horses jump no higher than 2 feet and have mandatory flat, non-jumping days to stay sound, and our trainers keep each lesson matched to the rider's level.

Yes. The Legacy Barn has an indoor arena plus an outdoor ring, and the Top Barn has a covered arena plus an outdoor ring. That means most lessons carry on comfortably even when the weather is less than perfect.

Yes. Every horse at MacNair's has a weight limit so that carrying riders does not cause joint, muscle, or other health issues. Each limit is based on the horse's size, health history, and riding use. Our lesson program can accommodate riders weighing less than 200 pounds.

Lesson horses jump no more than 2 feet. This protects their health and athletic ability, and our program includes mandatory flat, non-jumping days as well. Riders interested in jumping over 2 feet should consider our lease program.

Because we have indoor and covered arenas, most lessons continue even in rain. In extreme or unsafe weather we do cancel to protect our horses and riders, and any lesson we cancel for weather is made up with a make-up lesson.

We are located at 2721 Dover Farm Road, Raleigh, NC 27606, in the southwest part of town near Cary. Riders come to us from Raleigh, Cary, Apex, and across the greater Triangle.

Yes. Along with riding lessons, we offer horse leasing, boarding, and summer horse camps. Each has its own page with full details.