FAQ | mysticcanyonstables

Frequently Asked Questions - please read before contacting us:)

1. Are drop-ins ok?

Thanks for asking! Sorry, no drop-ins.

We are geared for regular riders in our lesson program and want to give them our full attention during class time.

We book in advance for scheduled riders once registration form with prepayment is arranged.

Prospective riders may schedule a visit (farm tours not offered) with instructors to observe how our lessons are run.

2. How much are classes?

One-to-One or Small Group (ages 3 years old to adult)

$35/15 mins. riding with option to groom either before or after

$55/30 mins. riding with option to groom either before or after

GROUP TRAIL LESSONS (ages 7 to adult), max 6 riders

$75/45 min. riding with option to groom before and untack after

Once we have booked via email, then prepay for the first ride and email us your completed registration form.

If Rider likes it and wants to continue, then we will find a good time that works for weekly or every other week, prepaying ahead for the month to save the Rider's mount during that lesson time slot.

3. How do I schedule a lesson? I heard you have wait lists.

With our classes full and impacted, we do have wait lists.

Space is based on coordinating availability as openings come up.

To be added to our wait lists, please let us know:

Rider (age, size [height, weight, physical condition], riding experience, riding dreams/goals/purpose),

and ideal availability (most popular times are M-F 2-5, Sat. Sun. 8:30-1, off hours may have space sooner) days/times for lessons, which week/s for camp),

and budget (weekly, every other week).

Once we receive your info., we can recommend the best classes and availability, reaching out when we have space.

I hope you find the wait is worth it! We have limited spots and want to keep class size manageable for safety and quality of instruction by not overscheduling. Please try another stable or instructor (see Links) while being on the wait list, we don't want to hold you back on your riding journey.

4. How far out do you think your wait list is?

Lately 6 months-18 months... Based on availability, the length of time being on the wait list may vary from days to weeks or months depending on when established riders take a break or change in schedules that create an opening. After school hours and weekends are the most popular. Thank you for your patience ahead of time. Please try another stable or instructor (see Links) while being on the wait list, we don't want to hold you back on your riding journey.

5. How do I schedule a camp week/s?

April 1-15 Sign-ups will open for currently scheduled riders in our program.

Then April 15 sign-ups open to others. We will likely fill up within 2 weeks, with no date changes once booked.

6. How many riders are in a group at a time?

Max 6 riders per class, preferably fewer.

7. Do Riders begin getting on a horse from day one or is there a period of days or weeks that you learn about tack, etiquette, etc.?

Yes, Riders ride in every class from their first lesson or camp day.

8. Does Rider need their own equipment of any kind?

We provide riding boots and riding helmets to borrow. Come EARLY to help your rider try on.

Before reshelving the helmets, we spray them. Disinfectant is also available for boots.

For MAX horse time and less stress/rushing, investing in boots and helmet helps save time trying on and adjusting fit. Plus you'll also be ready to ride with your own gear elsewhere, like on vacations and if your friends invite you to ride their horse!

9. What does Rider need to wear and bring?

Wear long, loose, stretchy pants, tall socks, and t-shirt/long sleeved shirt.

Hair needs to be worn low (below the base of the skull, no buns) and not bulky,

so helmet can safely and securely fit.

Bring a refillable water bottle with name on it and a positive attitude ready to learn!

10. I don't have a riding helmet yet, may I bring my bicycle or other sports helmet?

Only riding helmets are safety tested and approved (ASTM/FEI) for riding. Borrow our riding helmets or invest in your own. Other sports helmets may be as cheap as $11, but do you or your loved ones have an $11 brain?

https://www.ridingwarehouse.com/lc/training/helmet_education/riding_helmet_safety_standards.html

11. Where can I buy a helmet and boots locally? Why not buy online?

Buying online you may end up sending items back and for fitting, takes more time and doesn't support our local community. I have bought the same exact model/style of helmet only to find one is more ovular or rounder! Crazy, right!?

Please buy local, we NEED our local tack shops to stay in business! Buying in person ensures the best fit from the offerings and assistance from staff with fitting and answering questions helps too.

PLEASE SEE LINKS FOR LOCAL STORE INFO

12. Your business policy of full fare with less than 24 hours notice for cancellations/rescheduling doesn't work for me. May I still ride at your barn?

If you don't want to commit to a reserved/recurring time, that's ok!

If you've ridden with us before and we are familiar with your riding abilities, maybe there might be space for same day riding! Try scheduling for same day and if there is space, great!

Without a scheduled spot, you might be out of luck though and we hate to disappoint.

13. Rider has been under the weather lately... shall I cancel ahead and if all better by lesson day, check back if there is still space?

YES!!!! Please do cancel as soon as possible to keep the rest of us healthy and check back when Rider is fully healthy to resume. Cancelling with at least 24 hours means the missed lesson can be credited.

14. What do you do in classes during rainy season?

Come prepared to RIDE in the RAIN:) It's FUN and educational to go slower, really!!!

We go as fast as conditions allow, likely walking with some trot, maybe even canter!

We work on leg cues and rein management, lateral work/side passing/leg yielding over poles, turn on forehand, turn on haunches, GAMES, skill building/coordination like whip hand offs, circling and weaving cones, spearing a pool ring, backing through barrel patterns, dis/mounting techniques, and MORE!!!

15. Your business policy is ride rain or shine, yet I don't want myself/my rider to ride in the rain or in the mud. What can I do during the rainy season?

It's ok to be a fair weather rider, just take a break during rainy season! The weather and ground conditions change constantly and hourly, too hard to communicate the current riding situation for each class to every rider so they can decide to ride or not... Worry not, young riders will only grow bigger and stronger with time! And adults may benefit from a break from regular scheduling as well!

16. Are adults ok to ride with youth?

Yes! Please be not self-conscious of the age difference, we're all works of art in the process of learning life:) Developing skills take time! I hope our skilled youth inspire you to improve and remember to be a kid again at heart with awe and wonder, not make you feel hopeless and discouraged.

17. Will I be the only man/boy?

You might be! That wouldn't stop a woman/girl if she were the only one, so please join us!:) We'll be nice, inclusive, and it's not weird for us. We need more cowboys and guys riding recreationally in our sport!

Be brave & take the reins!

18. May I bring visitors (additional children and friends/relatives)?

Parents/adults need to SEE and be WITH their children and visitors AT ALL TIMES. No Free Play, sorry!
Guests do not touch/move/break/play with things that are not theirs without permission. Bring toys or games!

Roaming the property beyond the barn and seating areas is not part of being at our barn.

Our neighbors do not want unattended children trespassing in their backyards either.

Thank you for helping make this a family friendly place for quality connection time of discovery and awe together:)

19. May I bring my dog?
Friendly, leashed dogs YES!!! Just pick up after their poop and have them pee on dirt only (not furniture, seating). We do have protective barn cats, rabbit, hens, and wild coyotes, hawks, owls.

20. Might Riders get hurt being around horses?
Yes, they might. We role model, teach, and practice being as safe as possible. Know that being around horses means riders might get hurt, hopefully only minor and occasionally. Being pooped/peed/sneezed on, stepped on, bitten, kicked, falling off, etc. might happen too, so be prepared to get dirty (and promise to shower when you get home!).

21. I'm afraid of falling off... should I quit riding or not ride?
If you are willing to work with and through your fear, yes. If your fear outweighs the joy of riding, then no. Fortunately you don't HAVE to ride! You GET to choose to ride:)

Fall off, regroup, get back on when ready.

Falling off can be an important part of learning to get back on in horseback riding.

Riders will/do fall off, even with lots of experience and practice.

I have fallen off more times than I can count.

Horses are animals with minds, emotions, and reactions of their own, not machines.

We will simulate riding skills to stay on and scenarios for what ifs too. We train to be as prepared as possible.

22. Will daylight savings effect your afternoon lessons?

Classes run year-round at the same times. Nope, we will be in the barn untacking with lights before it gets too dark. Horses see better at night than we do thankfully.

23. Do you offer boarding?

Sorry, no, just lesson equines at our barn. Please check Links for local boarding stables:)

At local tack/feed shops (see Links), talk with employees and check community bulletin boards for Stalls for Rent and/or create your own flier for what you are looking for.

24. What are the costs of leasing and owning a horse in Palos Verdes?

Leasing is a monthly riding agreement between the horse's owner and the lessee, with day/s of the week agreed upon in writing, abiding by the owner's rules for their horse. Some owners are more flexible with scheduling.

Price range varies, from maybe $200/4 days/month - $ thousands/month, depending on horse's training, temperament, and age

Partial leasing: 1 day/week = 4 days/month, 2 days/week = 8 days/month

Half Lease: 3 days/week = 12 days/month

Full Lease: 6 days/week with one day off/week plus all the other expenses (vet $400 2+x/year, farrier $50-500+/5-8 weeks, etc.)

Remember to budget for continuing training and lessons

Owning a horse on The Hill of Palos Verdes will run about $1000/month (board, hay, shavings, feeder/cleaner 2x/day), not including farrier (trim, half or full shoeing), biannual and unexpected vet bills or unforeseen circumstances that do happen! Before buying a horse, a good idea is to have a $20K fund for affording a horse (that covers maybe 2 years of ownership). The initial investment of buying the horse is simple, it's the monthly expenses you need to budget for.

An even better idea is to invest in lessons to gain the skills to keep you safely enjoying years of riding to come!

If you can do one lesson/week, try 2 lessons/week for months. Then consider lessons plus leasing for many months. Then if that is sustainable, maybe consider ownership. If you own the horse and it goes lame, that means you won't have a riding horse and you'll need to take the time (may be months of rehabilitation) to help it heal and build back up to riding strength. Make sure you are in it for the long haul (horses can live in to their 30s and need to retire younger!) and not just the short-term for immediate gratification.

A common sad story is someone rushed in to owning a horse (or multiple horses!) without knowing how to ride and what to expect daily timewise/financially, then the rider and/or horse gets injured/don't have the time/loses interest/can't afford to keep the horse, and they have to rehome the horse. Let's not do that.

Mystic Canyon Stable

Frequently Asked Questions - please read before contacting us:)

1. Are drop-ins ok?

Thanks for asking! Sorry, no drop-ins.

We are geared for regular riders in our lesson program and want to give them our full attention during class time.

We book in advance for scheduled riders once registration form with prepayment is arranged.

Prospective riders may schedule a visit (farm tours not offered) with instructors to observe how our lessons are run.

3. How do I schedule a lesson? I heard you have wait lists.

With our classes full and impacted, we do have wait lists.

Space is based on coordinating availability as openings come up.

To be added to our wait lists, please let us know:

Rider (age, size [height, weight, physical condition], riding experience, riding dreams/goals/purpose),

and ideal availability (most popular times are M-F 2-5, Sat. Sun. 8:30-1, off hours may have space sooner) days/times for lessons, which week/s for camp),

and budget (weekly, every other week).

Once we receive your info., we can recommend the best classes and availability, reaching out when we have space.

I hope you find the wait is worth it! We have limited spots and want to keep class size manageable for safety and quality of instruction by not overscheduling. Please try another stable or instructor (see Links) while being on the wait list, we don't want to hold you back on your riding journey.

5. How do I schedule a camp week/s?

April 1-15 Sign-ups will open for currently scheduled riders in our program.

Then April 15 sign-ups open to others. We will likely fill up within 2 weeks, with no date changes once booked.

18. May I bring visitors (additional children and friends/relatives)?

Parents/adults need to SEE and be WITH their children and visitors AT ALL TIMES. No Free Play, sorry!
Guests do not touch/move/break/play with things that are not theirs without permission. Bring toys or games!

Roaming the property beyond the barn and seating areas is not part of being at our barn.

Our neighbors do not want unattended children trespassing in their backyards either.

Thank you for helping make this a family friendly place for quality connection time of discovery and awe together:)

19. May I bring my dog?
Friendly, leashed dogs YES!!! Just pick up after their poop and have them pee on dirt only (not furniture, seating). We do have protective barn cats, rabbit, hens, and wild coyotes, hawks, owls.

24. What are the costs of leasing and owning a horse in Palos Verdes?

Leasing is a monthly riding agreement between the horse's owner and the lessee, with day/s of the week agreed upon in writing, abiding by the owner's rules for their horse. Some owners are more flexible with scheduling.

Price range varies, from maybe $200/4 days/month - $ thousands/month, depending on horse's training, temperament, and age

Partial leasing: 1 day/week = 4 days/month, 2 days/week = 8 days/month

Half Lease: 3 days/week = 12 days/month

Full Lease: 6 days/week with one day off/week plus all the other expenses (vet $400 2+x/year, farrier $50-500+/5-8 weeks, etc.)

Remember to budget for continuing training and lessons

An even better idea is to invest in lessons to gain the skills to keep you safely enjoying years of riding to come!

Please be wise and gradually set yourself up for a lifetime of sustainable riding success.

For another perspective click on Get Started Riding - Rolling Hills General Store

Mystic Canyon Stable

Frequently Asked Questions - please read before contacting us:)

​

1. Are drop-ins ok?

Thanks for asking! Sorry, no drop-ins.

We are geared for regular riders in our lesson program and want to give them our full attention during class time.

We book in advance for scheduled riders once registration form with prepayment is arranged.

Prospective riders may schedule a visit (farm tours not offered) with instructors to observe how our lessons are run.

​

​

3. How do I schedule a lesson? I heard you have wait lists.

With our classes full and impacted, we do have wait lists.

Space is based on coordinating availability as openings come up.

​

To be added to our wait lists, please let us know:

Rider (age, size [height, weight, physical condition], riding experience, riding dreams/goals/purpose),

and ideal availability (most popular times are M-F 2-5, Sat. Sun. 8:30-1, off hours may have space sooner) days/times for lessons, which week/s for camp),

and budget (weekly, every other week).

​

Once we receive your info., we can recommend the best classes and availability, reaching out when we have space.

​

I hope you find the wait is worth it! We have limited spots and want to keep class size manageable for safety and quality of instruction by not overscheduling. Please try another stable or instructor (see Links) while being on the wait list, we don't want to hold you back on your riding journey.

​

​

5. How do I schedule a camp week/s?

April 1-15 Sign-ups will open for currently scheduled riders in our program.

Then April 15 sign-ups open to others. We will likely fill up within 2 weeks, with no date changes once booked.

​

18. May I bring visitors (additional children and friends/relatives)?

Parents/adults need to SEE and be WITH their children and visitors AT ALL TIMES. No Free Play, sorry! Guests do not touch/move/break/play with things that are not theirs without permission. Bring toys or games!

Roaming the property beyond the barn and seating areas is not part of being at our barn.

Our neighbors do not want unattended children trespassing in their backyards either.

Thank you for helping make this a family friendly place for quality connection time of discovery and awe together:)

19. May I bring my dog? Friendly, leashed dogs YES!!! Just pick up after their poop and have them pee on dirt only (not furniture, seating). We do have protective barn cats, rabbit, hens, and wild coyotes, hawks, owls.

​

24. What are the costs of leasing and owning a horse in Palos Verdes?

Leasing is a monthly riding agreement between the horse's owner and the lessee, with day/s of the week agreed upon in writing, abiding by the owner's rules for their horse. Some owners are more flexible with scheduling.

Price range varies, from maybe $200/4 days/month - $ thousands/month, depending on horse's training, temperament, and age

Partial leasing: 1 day/week = 4 days/month, 2 days/week = 8 days/month

Half Lease: 3 days/week = 12 days/month

Full Lease: 6 days/week with one day off/week plus all the other expenses (vet $400 2+x/year, farrier $50-500+/5-8 weeks, etc.)

​

Remember to budget for continuing training and lessons

​

An even better idea is to invest in lessons to gain the skills to keep you safely enjoying years of riding to come!

​

​

Please be wise and gradually set yourself up for a lifetime of sustainable riding success.

​

For another perspective click on Get Started Riding - Rolling Hills General Store

​

Parents/adults need to SEE and be WITH their children and visitors AT ALL TIMES. No Free Play, sorry!
Guests do not touch/move/break/play with things that are not theirs without permission. Bring toys or games!

19. May I bring my dog?
Friendly, leashed dogs YES!!! Just pick up after their poop and have them pee on dirt only (not furniture, seating). We do have protective barn cats, rabbit, hens, and wild coyotes, hawks, owls.