Lessons

Thank you for selecting Elkhart Lake Horse Park for your equine education!

Your instructor is Lisa Brotz and all instruction is CLASSICAL DRESSAGE BASED. Dressage training can enhance any discipline you choose to ride. Elkhart Lake Horse Park teaches basic riding fundamentals and dressage training. Beginner & fearful students always welcome.

We place great emphasis on the rider and the rider’s good position, timing and effective use of the aids. New and beginner students are strongly encouraged to begin on the lungeline to work on their seat. This is expected for a number of reasons. Riders learn their own balance; also known as an independent seat. Later more advanced lessons are more productive when the student first learns to have an independent balanced seat. Students with independent seats usually also have much more confidence and less fear.

Another difference you may notice at Elkhart Lake Horse Park is the commitment to a CLASSICAL EDUCATION. Classical simply means those ideas and methods which are tried and true, written in classic books and passed down from Riding Masters of the past and those ideals which have stood the test of time. We never use short cuts nor artificial devices or gadgets on the horses. Draw reins, martingales and tie downs are strongly frowned on and should never be brought to lessons. Dressage takes time and patience. Basic riding fundamentals are stressed and a slow methodical approach is used. Students should embrace learning and knowledge, must love the journey with horses and not seek short cuts or quick fixes.

Your instructor, Lisa Brotz, believes in teaching THEORY as well as riding skills and encourages students to question her and to ask for the theory behind all instructions. Reading is encouraged and a library is available at ELHP for you to check out books.

Lessons at ELHP are GOAL ORIENTATED, that is, we want to know what your own unique goals and ideas are, and we would like to help you reach those goals. Please discuss often with Lisa your goals for yourself and for your horse.

SORRY, VERY LIMITED SCHOOL HORSE AVAILABLITY AT THIS TIME. A VERY LIMITED number of school horses are available for use. School horses are not owned by Elkhart Lake Horse Park but by other students/boarders. Some school horses are for beginners, others are fine for intermediate students and some can only be ridden by advanced students. This is due to horse’s different temperaments, ages and level of training. Because of the limited number of safe, easy going beginner school horses lesson scheduling often depends on the availability of these school horses. So that they are not worn out, stressed or over used, school horses shall only be used a maximum of 2 times per day.

School horses are always needed. If you think your horse may make a good school horse please talk to Lisa. Horses that are used in lessons receive a $10 credit off the owner’s board bill for each use.

Students can choose a “standing” lesson time, that is, the same lesson time every week (or every other week). This lesson time will be held for that student or students (if a group situation) on a weekly basis, every week, unless a student is away on vacation, ill, etc. Please give 24 hours notice when unable to attend a scheduled lesson.

As a new policy, kids under the age of 9-years are strongly encouraged to take part in our Young Rider Program before starting lessons at the Horse Park.

Please remember, many lessons are set up as GROUP lessons. New students may be added to existing lesson times based on similar age and ability. If you have specifically requested PRIVATE ONLY, this will be honored. Otherwise, new students with similar experience and of similar age may be added to your group throughout the year.

If you are using your own horse for lessons please keep in mind there are a few factors which can defeat training success. Often “problem” horses simply have ill fitting saddles or teeth in need of “floating.” Always seek out physical problems (your horse may be in pain!) before a horse is labeled a “problem.”

1. A poor fitting saddle. A poor fitting saddle can cause pain, discomfort, muscle wasting and training problems. If in doubt, please call a professional saddle fitter.

2. Teeth. Your horse should have an equine dental at least once or twice a year to prevent major problems with the bit, pain and discomfort.

3. Footing. Here at Elkhart Lake Horse Park we keep our footing consistent, level and safe. Please make sure if you are working at home your footing is safe.

4. Hooves. Your horse’s hooves should be cared for by a farrier at least every 6-8 weeks.

Mandatory riding attire consists only of 1. Boots with a ½ inch heel and 2. A riding helmet (school helmets are available). Although not mandatory, riding breeches or tights rather than jeans can greatly improve your comfort in the saddle. All students should also purchase a "grab strap" for the front of the saddle. Please bring your grab strap with you to each class.

Please try to be on time for scheduled lessons. Include PLENTY of time to catch, groom, tack up, and warm up for your lessons. Always add extra time for any unexpected surprises!

If YOU are running late for your lesson, your lesson time will still end at specified time. For example, if your lesson is scheduled from 6-7pm and you arrive at 6:15pm – as a courtesy to the next student, your lesson will still end at 7pm and you will still be billed for a FULL private lesson. If LISA is running behind, your lesson will still be 45-50 minutes in length.

For students who are comfortable tacking up their own horses, your horse should be tacked up, equipment adjusted, your horse lunged or warmed up and you should be ready to start your lesson at scheduled lesson time.

For students who are NOT comfortable tacking up their own horse, Lisa or a working student will help you tack up and untack; however, please be aware, this IS part of your 45-50 minute lesson time. For example, if your lesson is scheduled at 6pm and you need assistance tacking up, adjusting equipment, untacking, etc. – THIS TIME ALL COUNTS AS BILLED LESSON TIME. Be aware that after grooming, tacking up, warming up, etc. you may only be left with 15-20 minutes of actual riding time. Part of your equine education is learning to feel comfortable working around the horses, tacking up and grooming. In the beginning, your first few lessons will involve work in grooming and tacking up the horse, learning the parts of the horse, saddle and bridle so that you may be well rounded and confident around horses. Please plan on spending 15-30 minutes of your lesson time unmounted until you are fully confidant in and capable of grooming and tacking up unassisted.

At ELHP we feel it is just as important to know how to work around the horse as it is to ride. This is part of your education and soon you will be tacking up on your own and thereby getting more saddle time. We are happy to help you learn this – just remember it is ACTUAL LESSON TIME.

As you become more confident with tacking up or if you are already confident tacking up, you are welcome to arrive early to start preparing your horse or the school horse so that you will gain more “saddle time.” Lessons are 45-50 minutes in length. Because lessons are often booked tightly back to back, it is important for Lisa to stay on schedule as a courtesy to the next student.

A calm, relaxed horse is a must! After tacking up, students will take their horse into the arena and walk the horse around by hand, unmounted. This gives the horse a chance to relax and look about. The girth is tightened slowly, in increments, over a period of walking in hand, this prevents horses from becoming “girth sour” or “girthy.”

Once the horse is walked out in hand and the girth tight, the student shall mount the horse, preferably with the assistance of a mounting block, however, this is up to the student. A liability waiver must be signed and on file prior to students first lesson.

Once mounted, we again encourage some relaxing walk work on a loose rein to give the horse the opportunity to settle in and have a look about. Ground work / work-in-hand is always encouraged and ground work lessons are available.

Your lesson is 45-50 minutes in length which will include help in untacking the horse if necessary. Horses should be lightly groomed after each lesson. We ask that all students always wash off the horse’s bit after each ride. This is a very good habit. A sink is located in the tack room for you to do this. It is a must if using a school horse.

ALL STUDENTS must clean up after themselves!! This includes adults and kids as well as students who board at the Horse Park and also those that use school horses. Tack must be put away, bits washed, grooming and wash stalls MUST be swept out after each use, manure picked up out of the arena, horses brushed, etc.

All chores must be completed by all students after each lesson. All students MUST take responsibility for sweeping, rinsing, washing and being neat, tidy and organized. This is just good manners and IS EXPECTED AT THE HORSE PARK and includes each and every individual who lessons or boards at the Horse Park.

All Students Are Expected To:



Work safely around horses / Know safety and barn rules



Groom, tack up and untack own horse or school horse (with or without help)



Take good care of horses used in lessons, brush well, put away properly, treats appreciated



Take good care of all tack and equipment used in lessons



Pick up all manure and sweep grooming stall after each use



Use good arena etiquette. Pick up manure from arena after each ride.



Always put all tack away neatly and properly when finished using



Always wash bits, clean bridle and hang neatly after each ride



Help other students; be encouraging and supportive of one another!!

Lisa accepts cash or checks for payment. Monthly billing by ELHP is recommended. All bills will be e-mailed to students unless student does not have e-mail in which case the bill can be picked up at the barn or mailed. Please make checks payable to: Lisa Brotz. Mailing address is: 4511 Blackstock Road, Sheboygan WI 53083.

All bills should be paid within 10 days of billing. Bills unpaid after the 15th of each month will be assessed a late fee of $15 which will appear on your next bill. Lisa will make every effort to have bills completed on the 1st of each month. Bills unpaid after 60 days will results in the suspension of student’s lessons until their balance is brought to zero or a payment plan is set up.

Lisa appreciates 24 hours notice when a cancellation is necessary. Please call (920) 207-3877 to cancel a scheduled lesson. The Horse Park is very busy and with enough notice we can often re-book canceled lesson times. Please call or e-mail in a timely manner when unable to keep a scheduled lesson.

As a standing policy, lessons will not be conducted in winter when temperatures are under 15-20 degrees (actual temperature, not wind chill). We use the “Weather Bug” program on the Horse Park computers to check weather and temps. Please call if unsure.

Thank you for choosing Elkhart Lake Horse Park, we look forward to working with you! Please do not hesitate to contact Lisa (920.207.3877 cell) with any questions or concerns.