Ground to Saddle
Fridays, 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Next Session: July 10, 17, 24, 31
$100/Four-Session Package or Drop-In $35/session
Who is Ground to Saddle for? (Hint: no previous horse experience necessary!)
Adults or teens who want a confidence-building connection with horses in an inclusive community.
Riders returning to horses who want to rebuild foundational skills, OR riders who are ready to move from Beginner to Advanced-Beginner/Intermediate level and are required to groom/tack their own lesson horses.
Bits & Pieces new VOLUNTEERS, to support their training
People considering horse ownership who are looking for an introduction to basic horsemanship skills.
The Ground to Saddle program at Bits & Pieces introduces participants to the foundational aspects of beginner horsemanship. Students learn hands-on skills such as grooming, feeding, and basic horse care, along with anatomy, safe handling, tacking/saddling, groundwork techniques, and other practices that build trust and communication between horse and handler.
By mastering these fundamentals, participants gain confidence, deepen their understanding of horses, and develop a strong partnership that enhances future riding experiences in a low-key, inclusive environment.
*Week 1: Barn safety, Understanding Equine Behavior, Haltering & Leading
*Week 2: Equine Anatomy and Grooming
*Week 3: Understanding English Tack
*Week 4: Introduction to Groundwork/Putting it All Together
Ground to Saddle is offered in four-week rotations throughout the year. Questions? bitsandpieceschicago@gmail.com