Lakeview Equine-Assisted Services

09/03/2026

Quick Barn Chores Update! 🧹

There will be no Barn Chores until September 17th!

If you missed the announcement in your email, beginning September 17th, Barn Chores will officially be moving to a biweekly schedule AND a (slightly) new time of 6–7 PM!

We’ll see everyone back at the barn on the 17th! 🤎

09/01/2026

Well said! ❤️👏

How do you know when a rider is actually ready to learn to canter?

Before I introduce the canter, I want to see that the rider has enough balance, control, and independence at the walk and trot that adding another gait isn’t going to make everything else fall apart.

Some of the things I look for include...

- They can maintain a steady posting trot without constantly losing balance.

- They can steer accurately without relying heavily on the reins.

- Their lower leg is reasonably secure and doesn’t swing dramatically every stride.

- They can sit the trot for at least short periods without gripping, bouncing excessively, or collapsing through their upper body.

- They can ride balanced upward and downward transitions.

- They understand how to use their leg without immediately tipping forward.

- They can keep the horse moving without needing the instructor to constantly remind them.

- They can recover their balance when something doesn’t go perfectly.

- They are mentally ready.

A rider who becomes extremely tense the moment the horse speeds up may need more confidence building first but that doesn’t mean every part of their position needs to be perfect before they ever canter. It means they should have enough of a foundation that the canter can become the next skill they learn instead of simply becoming something they survive.

Sometimes riders are eager to canter because it feels like the next milestone or parents may ask when their child is going to canter and instructors can sometimes feel pressure to keep riders progressing quickly. The issue is that introducing it too early can create habits that become much harder to fix later such as gripping, balancing on the reins, throwing the upper body forward, clamping with the knee, or fear of transitions.

There is nothing wrong with spending more time developing a really solid walk and trot foundation because when that foundation is there, learning to canter usually becomes much easier.

What do you personally want to see from a rider before you introduce the canter?

08/27/2026

We will have barn chores tonight at 5:45! Please let Miss Alex know if you’ll be attending!

08/27/2026

We can finally share the secret we’ve been keeping… Baloo is officially a permanent member of our herd!

We have absolutely fallen in love with this sweet boy and are so happy to officially call him ours. He has become such a special part of our barn and lesson family, has taken care of riders of all ages, and truly can do it ALL. We couldn’t be more excited that he’s here to stay!

Baloo has been enjoying some time back home with his herd and is looking forward to getting back to work and seeing everyone when lessons start back up in September.

Welcome home, Baloo! 🐴🤎

08/24/2026

Our Sketch Night is TONIGHT! Drop in for just $15, pizza included!

Bring your favorite art supplies and come hang out and draw with us!

If you’re planning to make it, let me know ASAP so I know how much pizza to grab! 😁🍕

08/20/2026

No barn chores tonight!

With temps still in the triple digits around our usual chore time, it’s just too hot to safely have kiddos out working in the barn. Y’all stay cool and hydrated!

Can’t wait to see y’all Monday for Sketch Night! Pizza included. $15 drop-in 🎨🍕

08/17/2026

Hi y’all!

We recently discovered that we’ve been having some issues with the form submissions through our website.

If you submitted a Riding Lesson or Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) inquiry through our website BEFORE July 31st and have NOT received a reply from us, please resubmit your inquiry!

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and for any messages we may have missed. Everything should be fixed and working properly now!

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding! 🐴

08/17/2026

Our Tack Room Masterclass: Know Your Gear workshop is happening TONIGHT from 6:00–7:30 PM! 🐴

It’s not too late to sign up- drop-ins are welcome for just $15!

Tonight we’ll be getting hands-on with all things TACK! We’ll explore English and Western saddles, different types of bits and bitless bridles, breast collars, martingales, leg protection, and more. We’ll also talk about what each piece of equipment does, why we use it, proper fit, and how tack changes between different riding disciplines.

Time IN the saddle is only one piece of the puzzle! Understanding the equipment we use, how it works, and how to make sure it is safe and comfortable for our horses is an essential horsemanship skill!

Ages 5–18 | $15 drop-in

See y’all tonight! 🤍

08/12/2026

There will be NO barn chores tomorrow, 8/13. Y’all have an absolutely amazing first week of school! 🤍

08/10/2026

Our “Problem Horse” Boot Camp workshop is happening TONIGHT from 6:00–7:30 PM!

It’s not too late to sign up! We’ll be working hands-on with our lesson horses to better understand common horse behaviors, how horses communicate with us, and how we can respond safely and effectively as handlers.

The majority of the time spent working with and owning horses happens outside the saddle. These are the must-know skills used every single day when working with horses and are an essential foundation for any well-rounded equestrian.

Ages 5–18 | $15 drop-in, $40 for all 3 weeks

Come spend the evening learning, working with the horses, and building your horsemanship skills beyond the saddle. See y’all tonight! 🤎