Lessons

Renegade Farm
5489 Mariaville Rd
Schenectady, NY 12306

Welcome to Renegade Farm!

Lessons

Adult lessons are a large part of Renegade Farm's lesson program. It is a good way to relax and take a time out from your hectic schedule. You also meet people who share your interest in horses.

Meet some of our western lesson horses and students:

Megan aboard Pippin, a 22 year old Morgan cross lesson pony.

Hanna riding Molly, a 21 yr old Reg. Quarter Horse mare.

Above is Lisa, a black Reg Quarter Horse mare with Alicia riding. Bottom photo is Alec, a bay Warmblood gelding with Claire riding.

English Lessons

Nancy riding Alec, a bay warmblood gelding.

Lady Hawk, a 13 yr. old Reg. Quarter Horse mare ridden by Angela.

John is aboard Baghera, a bay Selle Francais mare.

Morgan riding Pippin,

Nick riding Jack, a 13yr. Paint/Appaloosa cross who rides both English & western

Lessons

Renegade Farm offers year round riding with the large indoor arena and our outdoor ring.The owner, Lynn Bakos, an American Riding Instructor Association (ARIA) certified instructor teaches the majority of the lessons. Both Western and Hunt Seat (English) as well as jumping lessons are offered by appointment only. Lessons are given Tuesdays through Fridays from 12:00 to 7:00PM and Saturdays from 9:30 through 2:30PM. Morning lessons are by special arrangement. We accept students of all ages from 7 years through senior citizens.

New students to Renegade Farm are started in an evaluation 1/2 hour private lesson. From there, the student has the option, in discussion with the instructor, to participate in either 1/2 or 1 hour private, 1/2 hour private or semi-private or 1 hour group with between 3 and 6 students. Most beginning students stay in 1/2 hour private lessons until both the instructor and student are comfortable they can safely control the horse.

Horsemanship

Incorporated into our lesson program is horsemanship. Students are taught not only how to ride, but also how to groom, tack, cool out the horse, lead and walk the horse, reasons as to why the horse must be walked before being put away, how to secure the horse when working with it and many other aspects of horsemanship. Renegade Farm believes riders should not only know how to ride but also how to take care of the horse.

Saturday Work to Ride Program

Renegade Farm offers lesson students the opportunity to earn extra riding time through the performance of barn chores on Saturdays. To participate in the program, the student must take regular riding lessons at Renegade Farm, know how to tack up horses in western and English tack and be comfortable around the horses. The students clean stalls and equipment, feed the horses, keep the barn aisles and tack room clean, water the horses including cleaning out the troughs and buckets and other barn chores. The program teaches responsibility and that the horses come first. It also encourages camaraderie among the students.

Adult Horsemanship Course

Looking to buy a horse for yourself or your child? Does your child ride and you would like to participate yourself in this fun sport? Not sure what is involved in owning or leasing a horse? Take our Adult Horsemanship Course that is tailored to your needs and most of all, what exactly you want to learn.
Each class is 2 hours and includes a 45 minute riding lesson. Ground work can include such topics as:

Horse nutrition: how do I know what to feed and how much? Can't I just leave the horse on grass year round?
What to do until the vet arrives: basic first aid for injuries
Vaccinations needed and how often
How to care for the feet/hooves
Stabling, sheds, what do I need?
Blankets and sheets: are they necessary? when and how to put them on
Leg wraps: your horse has an injury on the lower leg and you need to wrap it, how do you do that and with what?
Parts of the horse and saddle
How do you fit your saddle to the horse: Doesn't any saddle fit a horse?
Lunging the horse
How to put a halter on and safely tie up the horse