horsemanship lessons in the asheville area
for horse folk who simply love horses
What’s unique about our lessons?
These lessons deeply immerse you in the language of horses. We engage you in the massive breadth and depth of experience that is possible with horses, from quiet peacefulness and to majestic playfulness. We also teach you how to navigate the emotional, physical, mental, and energetic pain that almost all horses carry, always while staying safe and well in your body. Our lessons are deep, careful, and utterly fascinating.
These truly are lessons who horse folk who love horses.
In other words, we do not equate loving horses to riding them. We are not anti-riding. However, ridden work is only done at the intermediate and advanced levels and when both horse and human are capable and consenting.
Early lessons focus on observational awareness, giving you the skills to recognize patterns in horse language. We focus on foundational elements of the language through practice. You start by learning to listen - with curiosity and understanding.
Intermediate lessons weave in more horse and human body awareness through practice. We take the building blocks and start to connect the dots between the basics. At this point, you learn to speak well - with simplicity and clarity.
Advanced lessons expand your skillset and offer more challenging experiences. We engage in greater complexity with you and the horses. Now, you are speaking fluently and deeply - with room for greater nuance and tonality.
With these skills, we don’t just give you the answers.
We give you the means to discover equine language
with respect for the indigeneity of horses in their world.
OUR LESSONS ARE FOR You if:
You are an adult aged 18+.
You come from any experience level. You can come to us having never touched a horse or with decades of experience
You want to form deep, fluent equine relationships as a basis for everything you do with horses.
You are hungry to explore non-ridden equine experiences. You want to explore the whole spectrum of what we can do (or how we can be) with horses.
You cannot or do not want to ride. Not all bodies allow or desire riding. Just as unrideable horses deserve joy and connection, so do you.
You feel conflicted about riding or jaded by the horse industry. You don’t want to give up, but you want something different.
You are an amateur or professional rider who wants to supplement your knowledge. You want to broaden your skillset and perspective.
Sound like you?
Our lessons are not for you if:
You are 17 years old or younger. Our insurance does not cover children. We highly recommend Cam Adibi for lessons similar to ours that have options for kids.
You want a classic riding program. We love Molly Hernon at Ruby Ranch in Candler, NC for this. Reach out to them here.
You hope to ride in every lesson, even at intermediate and advanced levels. Our lessons are always consent-based when it comes to riding, and like us, horses’ capacities shift daily.
You are not able to stand for up to an hour and walk on uneven ground.
Are looking for equine therapy. This is not an equine therapy program. We have heard great things about You are Herd for equine therapy.
Are looking for equine assisted learning. This is not an equine assisted learning program. We have heard wonderful things about Heather Taddonio at Davis Ranch for equine assisted learning.
Not for you? It’s no hard feelings. We are glad you know what you want and who you are!
Book an evaluation lesson
All students start with a private evaluation lesson. This is just as much for you to get a taste of our teaching as it is for us to feel out if we are a good fit.
lesson pricing & scheduling
PRICING
All of our lessons are on a sliding scale. Sliding scale is a means of creating income-based access, while still covering costs. If a sliding scale is new to you, please check out the guide below.
All lessons are paid for at the beginning of the lesson via venmo (@Hannah-Heiser), cash, or check written out to “Hannah Heiser”.
Private Lessons………………………………………..$65 - $95
Group Lessons (cost per person)…………….$55 - $85
Ridden Lesson Fee* (cost per person)……..………$15
*The ridden lesson fee is requested by the owner of the horses and goes directly to them. This helps to make sure the owner can support the increased impact of ridden work on the horses.
Scheduling
You can use the button below to schedule your first lesson. After that, you can pick between weekly or drop in lessons. Scheduling is coordinated directly with Hannah.
WEEKLY LESSONS will be at the same time and day every week. Group lessons are available based on client schedule and skill compatibility. Weekly lessons are given ideal time slots**.
DROP-IN LESSONS are scheduled via phone or email directly with Hannah. Scheduling at least a week out is preferred. All drop-in lessons are accommodated based on availability.
**Multiple late cancellations may cause you to lose your weekly lesson slot. We request 48 hours notice for cancellations, outside of injury, sickness and emergency.
Sliding scale & Payment guide:
If you make $40k annually, please consider the low end of the scale.
If you make $100k+ annually, please consider the high end of the scale.
If you make less than $40k annually and would struggle to pay the low end of the scale, please reach out and offer a price point that would work for you. If I can make it work, I will!
If you are under the FPL, low income with dependents, disabled, and/or experience state-based oppression that creates moderate to severe material insecurity, please reach out. I try to offer pay-what-you-can and free sessions when I have capacity.
I am also open to work trades! Do you have a skill, product, or art you want to trade? Reach out ~ nothing is too weird to ask about. I’m interested in bodywork, organic foods, art, experiences, tattoos, and probably other stuff I haven’t thought about yet!
FAQs
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You do not need to have a horse! We have a herd of wonderful, safe horses to work with.
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Eval Lessons: Weather-appropriate clothes and close-toed shoes that can get dirty!
Ridden Lessons:
ASTM/SEI approved helmet (See Ovation brand helmets for an affordable, adjustable helmet!),
Riding pants or leggings (No jeans! Pants with a thick crotch seam wear out our saddles faster)
Boots with a one-inch heel.
Suggested for all: Water bottle, Snacks, Sunscreen, and Gloves (for cold weather)
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Group lessons do not exceed 4 students at a time. If no one else comes to your group spot that day, you get a private lesson at no extra charge!
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I do travel to other properties! I have a travel fee of $1 per mile, round trip. For regular lessons, I will travel within 15 miles of Leicester, NC. For less frequent lessons, I will travel up to 45 miles. Regardless, if you would like lessons or training on your property, please reach out.
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If this is a good fit for your horse, please reach out to figure out how best we can work together. If trailering is an intense or traumatic experience for your horse at this time, I would prefer to come to you.
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You can cancel or reschedule your lesson by texting, calling, or emailing. Email is generally preferred, but text and calls are best for less than 48 hour needs.
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There are no refunds, as your payment is incurred day of. If you cancel, you will not have paid yet. So, no money to refund!
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Lessons will be cancelled by the instructor as close to the lesson as the morning of (unless you have a morning lesson slot). Appalachian weather is so unpredictable! Sometimes it really is different from evening to morning.
We cancel for extreme heat and humidity, cold, and precipitation.
We also limit lessons and/or cancel during the coldest, muddiest times of the year, which is typically mid-December through mid-February. These updates are given well in advance and adapt annually to whatever the weather deities throw at us.