Horsemanship Elective: Middle School (Grades 6 to 8) | Spring 2027
12 Thursdays at the barn, Feb 4 to Apr 22. Horse knowledge, groundwork, then riding. Up to 14 students.
Twelve weeks that build confidence, patience and real skill
The Leyden Horsemanship Academy middle school elective gives students in grades 6 to 8 a full season of hands-on work with horses at Ocean View Stables. They start with horse knowledge and safety, move into groundwork on foot, and finish riding. A horse gives instant, judgment-free feedback on a student's energy, so calm, clear and kind behavior gets rewarded in real time.
12
weekly sessions, 90 minutes each
14
students max, in crews of 4 to 5
3
instructors every session
0
horse experience needed
The details
- Who: middle school students, grades 6 to 8. High schoolers have their own program on Tuesdays.
- When: Thursdays, 3:30 to 5:00 PM, February 4 to April 22, 2027 (12 sessions).
- Where: Ocean View Stables, 2152 Olympic Way, Daly City, CA 94015.
- Price: $1,500 for the full season ($125 per session). Helmets, horses and all materials included.
- Method: the Leyden Horsemanship Process from Soft Is Strong: The Art of Horsemanship by Zachary and Kalea Leyden, taught in steps sized for 11 to 14 year olds.
How every session works
Students rotate in three small crews through three instructor-led stations, 20 minutes each, so everyone gets time with a horse every week. A crew leader, a role that rotates weekly, runs the safety check and reports the crew's progress.
- Check-in (10 min): helmets fitted, crews assigned, safety reminder.
- Opening demo (10 min): the day's concept, taught with a live horse.
- Station rotations (60 min): Horse station, Skills station and Partner Lab.
- Crew report and journal (10 min): one try each crew saw, and one journal line.
The 12-week itinerary
Unit 1: Knowledge (weeks 1 to 3)
| Week | Session | What students do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Feb 4) | Welcome to the herd | Prey animals, blind spots and safe zones; meet the horses over the fence |
| 2 (Feb 11) | Reading the horse | Ears, eyes, tail and posture; herd observation log; first safe approach and touch |
| 3 (Feb 18) | Care and anatomy | Grooming, hoof pick, daily needs; label an anatomy chart |
Unit 2: Groundwork (weeks 4 to 8)
| Week | Session | What students do |
|---|---|---|
| 4 (Feb 25) | Haltering and leading | Halter and lead a horse through a simple pattern |
| 5 (Mar 4) | Pressure and release | Ask softly first, relax the moment the horse tries; back and step over |
| 6 (Mar 11) | Moving the feet | Hindquarter and forehand yields |
| 7 (Mar 18) | Brave together | Flag, tarp and ground poles; obstacle walk on foot |
| 8 (Mar 25) | Choosing to follow | Round-pen demo, then follow-the-leader with a horse; groundwork check-off |
Unit 3: Riding (weeks 9 to 12)
| Week | Session | What students do |
|---|---|---|
| 9 (Apr 1) | Tacking up and first ride | Saddle with help, safe mounting, the Safety Stop; first ride, led at a walk |
| 10 (Apr 8) | Balance and seat | Sit tall, eyes up, soft hands; balance work in the saddle |
| 11 (Apr 15) | Steering | Steer through cones and over poles with an instructor alongside |
| 12 (Apr 22) | Show day | Each student leads, yields and rides a short pattern for families; certificates |
Safety first, always
- 3 trained instructors per session, never more than 5 students per instructor; a fourth helper joins for riding.
- Calm, school-proven lesson horses, matched to each student.
- Helmets required and provided.
- A parent or guardian signs our electronic release waiver after registering. It arrives by email right away.
- Rider weight limit 240 lbs.
What to wear
Long pants, boots or sturdy closed-toe shoes with a small heel, and layers for coastal wind. Long hair tied back, no dangling jewelry.
Rain plan
Heavy-rain sessions move to a covered or classroom format, or are made up at the end of the season.
Signing up a whole class or school group?
Schools and charter programs can reserve a full group of up to 14 students, be invoiced directly, or pay through enrichment or vendor funds where allowed. Email zachary@oceanviewstables.com.
Students who finish can continue into the high school elective or the Academy's Level One program.