Ground to Saddle Fall Session I
Fridays, 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
Fall Session I: 8/21, 8/28, 9/11, 9/18
Four-Session Package $100 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, confidence, 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, no-pressure environment.
*Week 1: Barn Safety and Safe Horse Handling, Understanding Equine Behavior, Haltering & Leading
*Week 2: Anatomy and Grooming
*Week 3: Understanding English Tack: How to Saddle and Bridle
*Week 4: Introduction to Groundwork/Putting it All Together
Ground to Saddle is offered in four-week rotations throughout the year. Questions? Please email us at: bitsandpieceschicago@gmail.com