Help for Parents!

Getting your child started in a new activity can be very overwhelming, especially when it is an activity that is new to you as well. We are here to answer your questions and guide you in every way. Below you will find some helpful information to get you started.

You are encouraged to come watch others ride at Peeper Ranch. You, or your child, will pick up a lot and learn much faster by watching the more experienced riders, and the show horses. There are people to watch every day. Saturday is a busy day and a great day to stop by and watch (plus, Mr. Wendell brings donuts).

What should be worn to riding lessons?

Riders should wear an ankle-high boot with a smooth sole and a 1/2 inch heel. Do not wear a hiking-boot type sole as it may get caught in the stirrup. The low heel keeps the boot from sliding all the way through the stirrup. Boots may be lace-up, zipper, or elastic. A sneaker can slide all the way through the stirrup, and also does not offer adequate protection if a horse should step on the rider's foot.

Helmets must fit properly. A poorly-fitting helmet can cause serious problems. When you have the helmet on, it should not be possible to pull it down over the eyes. We recommend the "Aegis" helmets which have an adjustment in the back so that they will fit any head and will grow with your child. These helmets are available right here at Peeper Ranch in the Total Addiction Tack Store (see Julie for assistance)

Aegis helmets are also available at State Line Tack which is located inside the Petsmart at Shawnee Mission Parkway and I-435. If you prefer the more asthetic velvet helmets, you can find them at the Horse Hardware store at 151st and 69 Hwy.

Riders must wear full-length pants, never shorts or capri pants. We strongly recommend riding pants ("Kentucky Jodhpurs"), which are long pants with a bell-bottom and straps that go under the boots. Please keep the straps on the pants at all times! The straps keep the pants from riding up on the leg and chafing.

Riding pants and boots may be purchased at:

Total Addiction Tack, located inside Peeper Ranch! See Julie for assistance. If you don't see what you want, we can usually get it.

Horse Hardware, (913) 897-3173,151st St. and 69 Hwy, behind the QT gas station close to Jalapeno's mexican restaurant (7807 W 151ST ST, Overland Park);

CM Tack (913) 631-4677, 17100 W. 53rd, Shawnee, KS 66217;

The Complete Equestrian, (816) 903-4600, 907 92 Hwy, Kearney, MO 64060. This shop is right off I-35 in Kearney, north of the city. They probably have the best in-stock selection.

National Bridle Shop online: click here for Jodhpurs; click here for Boots;

Hartmeyers online: Hartmeyers has some very small sizes for very young riders.

Is it better to take private lessons or groups?

There are benefits to private lessons, and benefits to group lessons. The ideal schedule is one private and one group lesson per week. In private lessons, the student receives intense individual attention and will progress more rapidly in many areas. However, group lessons are also very beneficial, as the rider must be able to steer around other riders and control the horse in a group. It is also very helpful to watch other riders, and the students in groups learn quite a bit from each other as well. Riders who are interested in showing need to ride in a group as that is what they'll do in the show ring, and they must be able to maneuver around the other horses.

Why should we consider riding in horse shows?

Riding in shows gives students goals to work toward. Riders focus much better in their lessons, pay better attention, and work harder with a horse show in mind. Showing is not just about winning blue ribbons, but it is about working for your own personal best; learning to win and lose graciously; learning to cheer for your teammates; learning to come back from a disappointing defeat; learning to climb to greater heights; achieving a close teamwork relationship with a horse; conquering fears of performing in front of an audience; and much, much more. Showing is a vehicle for building self-esteem and self-confidence. Those who show learn that hard work pays off! And kids get to learn valuable life lessons doing something they love to do. See our Upcoming Events page for information on local shows.

What do we need if we want to show?

We take our lesson horses to local shows to show in the "Academy" division. Academy is a division for riders who are just starting to show. The riders compete on lesson horses. To show in Academy, you only need dark-colored riding pants (Kentucky jodhpurs) and jodhpur boots and a form fitting sweather or shirt, tie, and vest. Most of these items can be found right at Peeper Ranch as well as the tack stores listed above. The shirt is a dress shirt like an oxford and can be purchased anywhere; the tie is a men's tie. The vest should fit VERY well, not be baggy or loose. Color is great! For your girl, try to find a colorful, fun tie in bright or pastel colors. Extra length on the tie can be cut off if necessary; you'll find more selection in men's ties than in boys' ties.

What is the Peeper Ranch Youth Club all about?

The Peeper Ranch Equestrian Team youth club is a fun place for kids to learn more about horses and develop friendships. The Youth Club meets about once a month, and does all kinds of activities, some educational and some just fun. Youth Club meetings are open to our riders and their friends and siblings- feel free to bring extra kids! (The Youth Club does not involve riding.) Sometimes we meet at Peeper Ranch; sometimes we go on field trips. We ask each kid to bring one dollar each time they attend Youth Club, to put the the Club Treasury to pay for whatever we may need. Parents are welcome to participate, or to drop the riders off for a few hours. Feel free to bring snacks if you like. When we do field trips, we carpool, so we need moms willing to drive. The Youth Club also includes a Horsemanship Program in which the kids earn awards for taking tests and demonstrating knowledge about horses. Youth Club activities and dates may be found in our monthly newsletter, which comes out around the first of each month and contains a lot of other valuable information.