Idaho Falls, Idaho

Legacy HorseExperiences

Creating lasting connections between people and horses. Structured programs for youth and adults, plus unforgettable riding experiences for all ages.

Safety First
Ages 7 & Up
12-Lesson Programs
Max 2 Riders Per Session
Explore
Where horsemanship begins

Safety First

Safety awareness is woven into every lesson—from how to approach a horse to how to handle the unexpected. You'll leave knowing how to stay safe, every time.

Structured Progression

A 12-lesson curriculum drawing from 4-H equine program principles and the best practices of multiple professional horse trainers—combined into one practical, confidence-building program.

Real Horsemanship

Riders learn grooming, tack, horse care, and ownership—not just how to sit in a saddle. Real skills for real horse people.

Maximum 2 Riders

Program lessons are limited to 2 riders per session. Every student gets real attention, real feedback, and the focused instruction needed to build genuine confidence.

24 Years of Horses. A Lifetime of Learning.

This program grew out of a genuine love for horses and a commitment to sharing that since I started with my first horse. With 24 years of horse ownership and hands-on experience as a 4-H group leader and youth horsemanship leader, the teaching approach here is practical, patient, and built around how people actually learn to ride with confidence.

The curriculum draws from 4-H equine program principles alongside techniques gathered from multiple professional horse trainers over the years—taking what works best from each and building it into a program that's clear, safe, and effective for complete beginners.

  • Horse owner — 24 years
  • 4-H youth horsemanship group leader — 8 years
  • Trained alongside multiple professional horse trainers
  • Cowboy Mounted Shooting competitor & 3-clinic director
  • Healthcare professional background — strong emphasis on safety
Brian on horseback in the mountains
A Program for Every Rider

The Legacy Confident Rider Program is open to ages 7 and up. Each program is 12 lessons, 55–60 minutes each, with a maximum of 2 riders per session. For younger children ages 4–6, supervised lead-line horse rides are available as a separate experience. Not ready for a full program? A single on-site ride is also available.

Young Children

Lead-Line Horse Rides

Ages 4–6

A safe, supervised first horse experience for young children. The horse is led by an experienced handler the entire time, so little ones can enjoy the magic of horses with complete peace of mind.

  • Fully supervised on a lead line
  • Gentle, kid-safe horses
  • Introduction to horse awareness
  • Perfect for birthdays & special occasions
Just Getting Started

Single On-Site Ride

Ages 7+

Not ready to commit to a full program? Come out for a single 30–40 minute guided ride at our location. A great way to get a feel for horses and see if lessons are the right next step for you.

  • 30–40 minute supervised ride
  • Basic safety introduction included
  • Held at our property
  • Great first step before enrolling
  • Pairs can ride together — $60 each
Youth Program

Beginner Foundation

Ages 7–11

A confidence-focused introduction to horses. Riders learn safety, handling, and how to walk and trot with real control—starting from the very beginning.

  • Horse safety zones & approach
  • Haltering, leading & grooming
  • Saddling & tack basics
  • Walk & trot riding
  • Obstacle confidence course
  • Basic horse care & ownership
Youth Advanced

Advancing Beginner

Ages 11–15

Builds on foundation skills with greater independence, deeper horse knowledge, and progression to the lope and canter.

  • All foundation skills (faster pace)
  • Horse behavior & psychology
  • Trot diagonals & balance
  • Introduction to lope/canter
  • Obstacle courses at speed
  • Problem-solving on horseback
Adult Program

Confident Adult Rider

Ages 16+

Designed for adults with zero to limited experience. Covers riding, horse care, and the knowledge needed to confidently own and care for a horse.

  • Horse psychology & safety
  • Independent tack & grooming
  • Walk, trot & lope riding
  • Emergency stop & problem-solving
  • Vet, farrier & feed basics
  • Ownership readiness planning

12 Lessons. 3 Phases. One Confident Rider.

Every lesson balances time on the ground with time in the saddle. Ground work builds the foundation — saddle time builds the confidence. Both matter, every single lesson.

Phase 1
Lessons 1–4
Understanding the Horse — Ground & First Saddle Time
Lesson 1
Horse Safety & the Horse Mind
Understanding how horses think, react, and communicate. Safety zones, blind spots, kick zones, and how to move around a horse safely. Introduction to horse psychology — why understanding the horse mind makes you a better, safer rider.
🦮 Ground: Horse approach, safety positioning, reading body language
🐴 Saddle: Sit on horse — experience stillness and balance
Homework: Label horse parts worksheet · List 3 safety rules you learned
Lesson 2
Building Trust Through Grooming & Handling
Grooming as the foundation of trust — how caring for a horse before riding changes the relationship. Introduction to brushes, tools, and hoof picking. Haltering and leading with proper position. Trust is built on the ground before it's earned in the saddle.
🦮 Ground: Grooming, haltering, leading, stopping, trust-building exercises
🐴 Saddle: Guided walk with instructor — feel the horse move
Homework: Grooming tool matching sheet · Write what trust means with a horse
Lesson 3
Saddling, Bridling & Establishing Respect
Parts of the saddle and bridle. Assisted saddling and bridling from start to finish. Ground exercises that establish mutual respect — the horse learns to respond, the rider learns to communicate. Respect on the ground directly transfers to the saddle.
🦮 Ground: Saddling, bridling, ground respect exercises, backing up
🐴 Saddle: Walk with basic steering introduction — stop and go
Homework: Draw and label saddle parts · Practice haltering at home if possible
Lesson 4
Leading, Ground Control & Riding Position
Advanced leading — direction changes, stopping on a dime, backing, and staying out of the kick zone while moving. Introduction to proper riding position: heels, hands, posture, and eyes. The body position you build here carries through every future lesson.
🦮 Ground: Precision leading, direction changes, ground control patterns
🐴 Saddle: Walk independently — circles, stops, basic steering
Homework: Practice riding position in a chair · Watch assigned riding video
Phase 2
Lessons 5–8
Riding Foundation — Walk, Trot & Control
Lesson 5
Mounting, Dismounting & Position Mastery
Safe mounting and dismounting from both sides. Refining seat, hand, and leg position. Balance exercises at the halt — two-point, eyes closed, arm extensions. 🛑 Emergency stop is the very first skill taught the moment a rider is in the saddle. Knowing how to stop safely comes before anything else.
🦮 Ground: Tacking up independently, pre-ride safety check
🐴 Saddle: Mounting/dismounting practice · Balance at halt and walk
Homework: Journal — what felt different about sitting correctly?
Lesson 6
Walking with Purpose & Rein Control
Moving beyond straight lines — circles, serpentines, figure-eights, and precise stops. Rein communication: direct rein, indirect rein, and when to release. Emergency stop reviewed & reinforced. Arena awareness — knowing where you are and where you're going at all times.
🦮 Ground: Pattern work on the ground mirroring what we'll ride
🐴 Saddle: Walk patterns — circles, stops, direction changes, emergency stop
Homework: Draw an arena pattern you'd like to try · Feed and water basics reading
Lesson 7
Introduction to the Trot
What the trot feels like and why it's different from the walk. Sitting trot first — relaxing into the movement as a passenger before trying to control it. Introduction to posting: rhythm, timing, and rising with the horse's stride. Short trot sessions with plenty of walk breaks.
🦮 Ground: Lunge line observation — watch the trot rhythm before riding it
🐴 Saddle: Sitting trot (passenger) · First posting attempts on the lead line
Homework: Watch posting trot video · Write 3 things that surprised you about the trot
Lesson 8
Controlled Trotting & Extended Sitting Trot
Building trot endurance and relaxation. Extended sitting trot as a passenger lesson — learning to absorb the movement with the hips, not brace against it. Trot-to-walk transitions with clean rein cues. Posting trot with more independence. Confidence at pace is the goal here.
🦮 Ground: Review tack fit · Discuss what relaxed vs. tense looks like in both horse and rider
🐴 Saddle: Extended trot work · Walk/trot transitions · Posting with control
Homework: Daily horse care checklist · Reflect on how your seat has changed since Lesson 5
Phase 3
Lessons 9–12
Confidence & Advancement — Real Riding Begins
Lesson 9
Advanced Control & Problem Solving
What to do when things don't go as planned — horse won't move, speeds up unexpectedly, drifts off course, or spooks. Real-world decision-making in the saddle. One-handed vs. two-handed rein work. Precise transitions. Confidence comes from knowing you can handle what comes.
🦮 Ground: Problem-solving scenarios — desensitization exercises with the horse
🐴 Saddle: Advanced walk/trot patterns · Real-time corrections · Emergency stop review
Homework: Write 3 scenarios and how you'd respond · Vet care basics reading
Lesson 10
Obstacles, Trail Simulation & Real-Life Riding
Horses and riders encounter the unexpected — gates, poles, tight spaces, uneven terrain, strange objects. Trail simulation exercises in the arena build the confidence to handle real environments. Walk and trot through obstacle courses. Horse care responsibility discussion: owning a horse is more than riding.
🦮 Ground: Walk obstacles in hand · Desensitize to new objects together
🐴 Saddle: Obstacle course at walk and trot · Trail simulation patterns
Homework: Design your own obstacle course · Research farrier and feed schedules
Lesson 11
Introduction to Lope / Canter (if ready)
For riders who are ready — an introduction to the lope or canter. What it feels like, how to ask for it safely, and how to bring the horse back down. Not every rider will lope in Lesson 11 and that's perfectly fine — readiness is earned, not assumed. Horse care and ownership responsibility: the full picture before graduation.
🦮 Ground: Student-led grooming and tacking — independence check
🐴 Saddle: Intro lope/canter attempt · Strong trot patterns if not yet ready
Homework: Full horse care plan · Prepare for Graduation Ride
Lesson 12 🎓
Graduation Ride & Confidence Celebration
The full picture from start to finish — student-led, start to finish. Catch, halter, groom, and tack independently. Ride a pattern demonstrating walk, trot, control, and obstacle navigation. Lope if ready. This is the ride where everything comes together — and where the rider sees exactly how far they've come.
🦮 Ground: Full independent tack-up with no assistance
🐴 Saddle: Full graduation ride · Walk/trot/lope · Obstacle course · Celebration
🏅 Legacy Horse Experiences Certificate of Completion awarded
Rider on horseback in fall mountain setting

"The relationship starts on the ground.
The confidence is built in the saddle."

Legacy Horse Experiences · Idaho Falls, ID

Reserve Your Spot
Monthly Membership Program

After completing your 12-lesson program, continue building your skills with a monthly membership. Ongoing instruction, priority booking, and skill progression tracking included.

4
Rides / Month
$240
$60 per ride
6
Rides / Month
$330
$55 per ride
12
Rides / Month
$570
$47.50 per ride

24-hour cancellation policy · Rides do not roll over · Weight and safety requirements apply

More Experiences Coming Soon

We are actively developing additional ways to experience horses at Legacy Horse Experiences. From skill clinics to special events, there's more on the horizon. Check back soon — or reach out and let us know what kind of experience you're looking for.

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Something Is Being Built Here

We want to offer experiences that are genuinely worth your time. We're being thoughtful about what we add — and we'll announce new offerings as they're ready. If you have something specific in mind, we'd love to hear from you.

Tell Us What You're Looking For
Bring the Party to the Horses

Make any birthday or special celebration unforgettable with a private horse party experience at our location. Young children and guests enjoy supervised lead-line rides in a safe, controlled setting — with our horses, our space, and our handler making sure everything runs smoothly.

Our events are held at our property by default, where we can ensure the best possible safety setup. In select circumstances we can travel to a private venue — but please note these events are private and closed to the general public. Only invited party guests participate.

  • Held at our property for the safest, most controlled experience
  • Private events only — open to invited guests, not the general public
  • Experienced horse handler on-site with a strong focus on safety
  • Young children through adults welcome
  • Waivers, helmets, and full safety setup included
  • Off-site travel available in select cases — contact us to discuss
Party Pricing
1 horse · 1 hour
$250–$350
2 horses · 1.5–2 hours
$400–$600
Extra time
$75–$100/hr
Off-Site Travel
Within 15 miles
Included
15–30 miles
$1.50–$2.50/mi
Off-site events are available in select cases for private venues. Round trip mileage applies. Venue and setup must be pre-approved. Private invited guests only — not open to the general public.
Meet the Horses

Every horse at Legacy Horse Experiences has been carefully selected for their temperament, patience, and ability to connect with riders of all experience levels. Getting to know them is part of the experience.

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Photo Coming Soon

Coming Soon
Horse name & breed to be added
Details about this horse's personality, background, and what makes them special will be added here — including what kind of rider they work best with.
Beginner Friendly Calm Patient
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Photo Coming Soon

Coming Soon
Horse name & breed to be added
Details about this horse's personality, background, and what makes them special will be added here — including what kind of rider they work best with.
Experienced Riders Responsive Energetic
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Photo Coming Soon

Coming Soon
Horse name & breed to be added
Details about this horse's personality, background, and what makes them special will be added here — including what kind of rider they work best with.
All Levels Gentle Reliable

Photos and full horse profiles are being added as the program launches. Check back soon — or contact us if you'd like to come out and meet them in person before enrolling.

Safety Isn't Optional Here

Every lesson is built around knowing how to stay safe around horses—and what to do when things don't go as planned. That foundation comes from years of hands-on experience with horses and a professional background in healthcare that reinforces the importance of preparation, awareness, and calm decision-making.

4-H Youth Horsemanship — 8 Years
24 Years Horse Ownership & Handling
Healthcare Professional Background
Trained by Multiple Professional Trainers

Helmets are required for all riders under 18 and strongly recommended for adults. Waivers, medical releases, and emergency contact forms are required before the first lesson. Every horse is carefully matched to the rider's age, size, and experience level. First aid is on-site at every session.

Program lessons are limited to a maximum of 2 riders per session so every student stays visible, supervised, and progressing safely. The emergency stop is the very first skill taught the moment a rider gets in the saddle. The instructor reserves the right to adjust or stop any lesson at any time if safety is at risk.

Real Experiences. Real Confidence.

Don't just take our word for it — here's what riders have shared after working with Brian and the horses at Legacy Horse Experiences.

★★★★★

Brian is so knowledgeable regarding horses, how to take care of them, and how to interact with them. He does such a great job introducing you to the horses and letting you interact with them personally. Brian has a very hands-on experience with his teaching and does it in a way that gives you so much confidence. No matter the level of experience you may have, Brian will help you grow so much in your interactions and experiences with horses. His horses are great to work with too, even if you have little experience around horses.

B
Brynna B.
Legacy Horse Experiences Rider
★★★★★

Brian is Amazing!! Although I'd been around horses before, he really helped build my confidence in riding and made me feel comfortable working with his horses. He's patient, encouraging, and great to learn from. His horses are amazing too!

S
Shelby W.
Legacy Horse Experiences Rider
★★★★★
"Going horseback riding with Brian was educational for me due to the knowledge he has of horses and horseback riding in general. As I was riding he re-taught me how to go faster on the horse, how to turn the horse around, and how to stop the horse. These are simple things but learning these simple things can help someone who has never ridden a horse feel confident in their ability to ride. He also has good knowledge of how to take care of horses so they are able to have someone ride them."
SJ
Savannah J.
Legacy Horse Experiences Rider
Reserve Your Spot Today

Spots fill quickly. Reach out to enroll in a program, book an experience, or ask any questions.

Contact Information

Call or Text

208-618-3435

Lesson Location

3152 E. 12th N.
Idaho Falls, ID 83402

Service Area

Idaho Falls and surrounding areas
Mobile events up to 40 miles

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