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+1 (631) 692-6840 62 Route 106, Jericho NY
Never Ridden Before? Start Here

Your child doesn’t need previous riding experience or their own horse to begin.

Qualified Instructors Experienced Lesson Horses No Horse Ownership Required

At Thomas School of Horsemanship, we make that first experience comfortable and easy to understand. Every beginner is paired with a patient, qualified instructor and an experienced lesson horse appropriate for their skill level.

We welcome riders ages 6 through adult. No experience required.

Book a Lesson
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More Than a Lesson—A Different Kind of Confidence

 

Riding isn’t just a skill your child picks up. It’s a relationship they build—learning to read a horse’s mood, earn its trust, and communicate without words.

A beginner’s first accomplishment might be as simple as staying calm while grooming a horse for the first time. Over time, those small moments build into something bigger:

  • Confidence around new challenges
  • Responsibility for something beyond themselves
  • Patience and clear communication
  • Respect and empathy for animals
  • Friendships with other riders at the barn

For generations of Thomas School families, the barn has become more than a weekly lesson. It’s become a second home.

“It’s so much more than a riding program—it’s a community, and everyone genuinely wants to see each other succeed...We feel so lucky to call TSH our second home.”

— Carina Schabhutl

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Where a First Lesson Can Lead:

A Complete Horsemanship Education

At Thomas School of Horsemanship, a first lesson is just the opening chapter.

We don’t simply teach children how to sit in a saddle—we give them a well-rounded horsemanship education from the ground up.

What Your Child Learns as a TSH Rider: 

Ground Safety & Equine Body Language

How to safely approach, lead, and read what a horse is feeling before ever putting a foot in the stirrup.

Grooming & Hands-On Horse Care

Mastering how to curry, brush, pick hooves, and bond with their horse before and after every ride.

Tacking & Barn Equipment

Learning how to properly saddle, bridle, and care for riding gear independently.

Riding
Progression

Developing balance, post, steering, and rhythm—progressing safely from a walking trot to cantering and jumping as confidence grows.
How to Book Your First Lesson

Not sure where to start? This quick walkthrough shows you exactly how to find a time and book online.

From Booking to Your First Lesson

1

Book online

Choose a slot that works for you.
2

Arrive ~15 minutes early

This gives you time to fill out paperwork and get settled.
3

Meet your instructor and horse

You’ll be introduced to both before the lesson starts.
4

Ride

Your instructor will walk you through everything, right from the very first minute.

What to Bring

You don’t need to own any riding gear to get started. 

All you really need is a pair of closed-toe shoes with a small heel. We keep loaner helmets on hand for every lesson, though you’re welcome to bring your own if you have one.

Arrival and Parking

Thomas School of Horsemanship is located at 62 Route 106, Jericho, NY. Park in the main lot and head to the barn office to check in.

Schooling jump course in one of Thomas School's three quality outdoor arenas
FAQs

First-Time Rider Questions

Do I need to buy or lease a horse to keep riding?
No, every rider is matched with a school horse for each lesson. Many families ride for years without ever owning or leasing one.
Does my child need any experience before their first lesson?
None at all. Your instructor starts from the very beginning, whether that’s how to approach a horse or how to hold the reins.
Can I watch my child’s lessons?
Yes, parents are always welcome to observe. 
How are riders matched with a horse?
Instructors match riders based on skill, experience, and size. Riders are encouraged to ride different horses over time rather than the same one every week; this builds up their overall skills in horsemanship. 
Can we try a single lesson before committing to more?
Yes, single lessons are available for riders who want to get a feel for it before enrolling further. 
What if my child is nervous around horses?
That’s completely normal, and it’s exactly what your instructor is there for. Lessons start slow, and every rider moves at their own pace.
Do you offer private or group lessons?
Both. Families can choose whichever format fits their child and their schedule. Riders are eligible to join a group lesson once they have developed some basic horseback riding skills (including independently trotting).
What should I expect at my first lesson?
You’ll check in about 20 minutes early with staff. Then you’ll meet your horse and be brought to the ring to greet your instructor. They will cover the basics of horse safety first—how to approach, how to stay aware of the horse’s space—before you ever get in the saddle.

Their Riding Journey Can Start Here

One lesson is enough to discover what being around horses can bring out in your child.

Give your rider a supported introduction to horses—and the opportunity to build confidence, responsibility, and a connection that can grow for years to come.