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Welcome to Autumn Equine!
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If you are a horse lover looking for a real, connected experience with horses, you are in the right place! Located in Northwest Portland, Oregon, Autumn Equine specializes in kind, holistic horse experiences for people from all backgrounds. It doesn't matter what you look like, how old you are, your size, skill level, or income, you are welcome with us.
Hands on
Equine Education
About Autumn Equine
Howdy, and welcome to Autumn Equine! I am glad you are here.
Located just outside of Portland, Oregon, Autumn Equine is more than a lesson program. Here, we truly value our horses and our students. My horses are my family and my students are friends. We take time and go at the pace our students need. You will never be yelled at or pushed too hard, too fast on a horse you don't trust.
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We prioritize safety and understanding at all times. Here, you will not find force or violence of any sort. Instead, students learn to have fun and build confidence by working in partnership with horses to achieve safe, harmonious relationships. For this reason, there are no short cuts in this program. Your foundation in riding might come slow, but it will be comprehensive and last a lifetime. You will develop the tools and confidence to make smart choices regarding horses no matter where your horse journey takes you.
​ We only use scientifically sound, welfare minded practices both on the ground and under saddle. For that reason, this is not a competitive program. While many of my riders do compete successfully, our focus is on equitable partnership. Horse behavior, physiology, and psychological conditioning all play a role in our relationships with horses and by deepening the understanding of these topics, we strengthen those relationships.
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We offer both group and private experiences to fit the needs of everyone as a whole. You do not even have to be a rider to be in our community. We offer plenty of ground experiences including basic care, grooming, groundwork, positive reinforcement, and trick training.
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Check out our FAQ down below for answers to common questions and information on how to get started. I hope you'll be joining us soon!
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Meet our horses!
We have 5 amazing, kind, and safe lesson horses of all sizes and skill. They love spending time with students!
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Meet Our Trainer: Autumn Kushner
About
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I am a teacher who has spent more than fifteen years helping people and horses understand one another through clearer movement, calmer minds, and honest communication. My approach grows out of both science and lived experience. I hold degrees in psychology and in physics and physiology sciences, along with a master’s degree in equine behavior. I also bring a background in physical therapy and corrective exercise, which allows me to look at both species through the lens of posture, balance, comfort, and the way the body expresses emotion.
I write course curriculum for Equine International, an equine research group, and founded the Equine Museum of Science and Art, a project dedicated to making equine science approachable and engaging for a wider audience. I have also taught horse based workshops for Adidas that focus on communication, presence, and the way humans move and relate when given the chance to learn from horses. My interest has always been in both sides of the partnership. I care about how humans think, feel, and navigate their own lives just as much as I care about how horses do.
Teaching is not something I take lightly. I stay a student myself because I believe good teaching requires humility, curiosity, and constant practice. When I teach, I want people to feel safe, supported, and challenged in the best ways, and I want horses to feel that their voice and experience matter.
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My work is shaped by humanitarian values, a belief in the importance of education and small business, and a commitment to environmental awareness. Everything I build is meant to create better outcomes for horses, deeper understanding for humans, and more thoughtful communities around both.
Book a Service
2 hr
150 US dollars
1 hr
75 US dollars
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1 hr
65 US dollars
4 hr
275 US dollars
2 hr
150 US dollars
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1 hr 30 min
40 US dollars
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1 hr 30 min
40 US dollars
Merchandise
Support our business and local equestrian access by purchasing something from our shop! 100% of proceeds go into our Horses Are for Everyone Fund to bring horse lovers undergoing financial struggles discounted lessons.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have not ridden with your program before. What can I expect?
This program is run a little differently than your average barn. Autumn Kushner, the head trainer has over 15 years of experience in the professional equine industry and leads with comprehension. This program focuses on one change at a time, creating space for steady and lasting progress. We start with talking about the nature of the horse, and the opportunities we have for partnership with them. Then we move forward into safe handling, setting up boundaries for success, energy regulation, and biomechanical consistency.
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Our traditional lessons are about an hour long, but not everyone learns well in an hour. Many people, due to schedule inconsistencies or personal processing need longer lessons, and therefore we also offer 2 and 4 hour intensive sessions. Riders must groom and tack their own horses in this program.
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Our lessons are very open ended. We tend to work with the needs of the student and horse pair instead of a strict agenda. Every human and every horse learns and communicates differently, and we need to leave space for that. There are a lot of right ways to do something, and only a few wrong ways. If you are not hurting yourself or the horse, we can work with what works for you. Through education, experimentation, and exploration, we will find the communication style that is most effective.
How do I get started?
Sign up for an orientation lesson! These lessons last about 2 hours and cover all the basics. You will have plenty of time to ride, but also to get to know the trainer and the horses without overwhelm. Having enough time to create a safe and friendly first experience will set you up for success.
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You will need closed toed shoes, weather appropriate attire, and a helmet. While we offer several school helmets, students are encouraged to buy their own head gear that fits their own head comfortably.
Who is this program for?
This program is for horse lovers from all backgrounds. We have upper level riders, and first time riders. Our youngest student was 4, our oldest was 91. While we are not a therapeutic riding program of any sort, we accept people from any spectrum into the program.
What is your cancellation policy?
Payment is due at the time of booking. When you pay, you are paying for booked time with a professional service, whether you utilize that time or not. We offer no refunds outside of inclement weather. We do offer several open groundwork and ride nights per month that a student may attend for make up if they missed their normal lesson spot.
Do you have a rider weight limit?
Because we have gigantic horses, we do not have a weight limit. However, riders must be able to get up and down off of the horse on their own using a reasonable mounting block accommodation to ride.
What specialties and disciplines are taught?
We focus on classical riding mechanics and a comprehensive equine education. Most students gain experience with the foundations of dressage, trail sports, low level jumping, and more.
Do you do therapeutic riding?
We are not a therapeutic riding establishment. However, we are inclusive. All people from all backgrounds are welcome here. We may not be able to accommodate riding for all, but we will find everyone an opportunity to love on horses.
Where are you located? I want to drop by.
We are a private facility at a private residence. For that reason, we do not allow drop ins. That is also why you will not find the address located on the website. Please send us an email and set up a time to come chat in person.
Get in Touch
Email: AKuEquine@gmail.com
Text: (512)423-6434
Email or text are the best ways to get ahold of us! Due to the nature of the program, we cannot answer calls regularly.
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Any non-emergency texts or emails will be returned within our regular working hours.