What does my tuition pay for?

Your tuition pays for SO much more than just your instructors time during a lesson!  It has been estimated that for every hour enrolled in a lesson, you are investing in at least 2 hours of the instructor's time.  All barns & stables differ in methods of operation. However, the tuition of nearly all Instructors covers the following:

• Time spent with the student- Lessons, instruction, relationship building 
• Time spent in preparation for the student - Lesson planning, gathering supplies & materials, scheduling, bookkeeping, monitoring progress, etc.
• Time spent caring for, training, feeding, monitoring health, administering medications, and managing vet and farrier maintenance for lesson horses
• Equipment costs- saddles, tack, blankets, reigns, helmets, bridles, lead ropes
• Lesson Horse costs: Hay, feed, medication, farrier fees, vet costs, dental fees
• Barn, pasture & arena costs - Fly prevention, manure management, arena maintenance, therapy equipment costs, repairs and maintenance
  
• Professional organization memberships - Memberships are maintained by the instructor to enhance their teaching skills and provide the student with opportunities for development, competitions, and outside training events. It is vital to maintain and continually develop your teacher's training, education and experience
• Office expenses - Copying, computer software, website maintenance, bookeeping, record keeping, newsletters.
• Business expenses - Property taxes, self-employment taxes, property and liability insurance, business licenses, rent, utilities, etc.
  
• Agape Ranch does not have a corporation to assist in providing retirement, health or life insurance. Tuition helps cover the increased living costs of your self-employed instructor.

How do I know if riding lessons are worth the price?

Do your research! Not every instructor is right for every student. You will want to be sure that your instructor provides that things that are important to you as well as the things that are important to your student's development and goals.

• Start by interviewing several instructors to learn more about their:
  Education
  Goals and Expectations
  Philosophies of music education
  Teaching experience
  Curriculum
  Studio Policy

Above all, find out how they demonstrate commitment to excellence in music education. No price can be put on such a beautiful art as music, but by investing in your child’s music education, you can provide them with a skill they will enjoy for a lifetime!