We are happy to announce that adults weekend is sold out for October 2-4! @pineridgeduderanch

LOCAL MID-WEEK HORSEBACK RIDING LESSONS & CLINICS at PINE RIDGE DUDE RANCH Pine Ridge Dude Ranch is pleased to offer our local community a great opportunity to enrich its horsemanship and riding experience! Come for lessons and clinics at our beautiful facility and get top notch instruction in a FUN and RELAXED setting! No matter what your riding experience level Pine Ridge Dude Ranch has a Lesson or Clinic program to meet your needs! Located in the heart of the Catskills, in Kerhonkson, New York, Pine Ridge Dude Ranch offers incredible trails, inviting accommodations, fantastic food and brings the “Best of the West in the East” to you! DELUXE PRIVATE LESSON: This formatted 90 minute lesson is a "one-on-one” or group experience sculpted to fit the needs of the Rider(s) no matter what their skill level. Groundwork, work under saddle in the arena and (if applicable) on the trail may all be experienced. COWBOY HORSEMANSHIP CLINICS: This formatted THREE (3) HOUR clinic session ideal for small groups up to six (6) Riders, sculpted to fit the needs of the Rider no matter what their skill level. Groundwork, work under saddle in the arena and (if applicable) on the trail and our Obstacle Course (if applicable) may be experienced. GROUP PRIVATE TRAIL RIDES: A 45 minute guided trail ride in the beautiful Catskill Mountains. The ride is catered to the least experienced rider. Advanced, Intermediate & Beginner rides are available. Minimum of 4 riders. AVAILABILITY: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays. Weekends are available for day pass and overnight guests vary so please contact Pine Ridge Dude Ranch for more details! Riders will use PRDR horses and tack. Spaces and availability is LIMITED and these sessions fill up FAST so reserve your space soon! Be sure to check out our Facebook Page and Website for all the latest on our many special events and fall weekend specials! To take your horsemanship and riding to a whole new level please contact our Reservation Team at (845) 626-7345 or email Pine Ridge Dude Ranch at reservations@pineridgeduderanch.com today to reserve your Lesson or Clinic space! We look forward to riding with you!

September 25-28, STAY 3 NIGHTS GET KIDS HALF PRICE & A FREE ROOM UPGRADE. @pineridgeduderanch

THE THREE L’s APPROACH It is often said that riding horses is “simple” but it is not “easy.” Truer words have not been spoken! The horse is a “simple” creature in its needs. The horse wants consistency, leadership, fairness, clarity and kindness. The horse wants to “get along” with its human partner. Humans oftentimes ‘’over complicate” the communication process when interacting with horses, which leads to frustration and anxiety in both the horse and the human. Humans can be effective leaders when in the saddle by applying the “Three L’s” approach when requesting movement or control from the horse. The “Three L’s are LOOK, LIFT and LEG. When requesting a movement from the horse the human needs to LOOK in the direction they wish to go, and twist their shoulders in line with their eyes in order to create a pre-signal for the horse. “Where the eyes look, the body follows.” As the human “LOOKS” with their eyes, head and body in the direction they wish to go, they need to “LIFT” (not pull) the reins upward along the line of the horses shoulder and then point with their thumb (if riding in one hand) or pinkie finger (if riding in two hands) in the direction desired. As the human “LOOKS and LIFTS” to cue a direction, they need to apply the opposite LEG to the horse in a squeezing motion with their calf. Here is an example of the how to use the “Three L’s”: If the human wishes to go to the right, they look to the right with their eyes, head and shoulders, lift the right rein (if in two hands) or both reins (if in one hand) along the line of the shoulder and point to the right as the squeeze the horse, using the calf muscle in the LEFT leg in a “toe in/heel out” position. By looking, lifting and using the leg in this manner the human can firmly and fairly request a movement that is clearly understood by the horse. Like all aspects of horsemanship, the Look, Lift and Leg approach takes feel, timing and experience. Once the human understands and applies the “Three L’s” approach they will find a new level of clarity, confidence and fun when in the saddle!