Barn rules: Thank you for following and respecting them!

If you feel unsafe, notice a problem with your horse or equipment, or see something that you're not sure is allowed or safe, tell your instructor immediately. The safety of riders, instructors, visitors, and horses is always the first priority! It is never worth compromising anyone’s safety! 

If you cannot respect and obey any instructions, you are putting yourself and others at risk and will be asked to leave the premises without further discussion. Please note there is a clear distinction between misunderstanding and purposefully disobeying. 

No yelling, hitting, teasing, messing around with, or rough handling of horses at any time. Our horses have a job to do and we need to allow them to do that! Students who mistreat horses will be asked to leave the premises without a second warning and not return. 

Speak respectfully about every horse. Horses have different personalities and training levels, just like people. Learning to understand them is part of becoming a good rider. More often than not, their 'poor behavior' is a miscommunication between horse and rider. Saying a horse is bad is never acceptable or allowed! 

Sudden movements or loud noises can startle horses and create unsafe situations. Walk normally and keep your voice at a steady and typical level to keep from exciting or scaring the horses! 

It is not safe to enter a horse's enclosure without permission from an instructor and it is never acceptable to feed or pet a horse without permission as this is very disrespectful and you do not own or make decisions regarding the horse!

Closed-toe shoes are required. No sandals, crocs, loose scarves, or baggy clothing that could become caught on tack. Appropriate attire may look like boots or tennis shoes with leggings or jeans and an tshirt or jacket. Additionally, some sort of well fitting helmet is required! Bike helmets are permitted as long as they fit well on the rider's head. 

Dogs can scare horses if they run underneath their feet and can cause unsafe scenarios for themselves, horses, and riders. If you would like to bring your dog to your child’s lesson, please reach out beforehand to gain permission. If you are not given permission or do not hear back prior to the lesson, please refrain from bringing your dog on property. 

Throw away trash, put equipment away, and leave the barn cleaner than you found it. A clean barn is safer, more welcoming, and shows respect for everyone who shares it. Students who leave any area worse than it was found will be asked to stay late and clean up their mess. This is another way to be sure our students become self sufficient adults who are respectful of others’ property. 

Encourage your fellow riders and use positive language. Everyone learns at their own pace. A supportive barn is one where everyone enjoys learning and gains confidence. Let’s support everyone’s wins and encourage others when things go wrong! We all make mistakes and we all reach our goals! 

Never be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand something. Every great horseperson started as a beginner. Questions help you become a safer and more knowledgeable rider. Riders who ask questions are riders who succeed and make progress at a rapid pace! 

Mistakes are expected—keep trying and stay positive. Every rider, even professionals, makes mistakes. The important part is learning from them and continuing to improve. Riders who make mistakes are riders who are pushing themselves and trying to improve! 

We get it - you used to ride back in the day and you see a clear way to help your kiddo get better. It's so tempting to call out instructions or tips, but this can actually hinder their learning. The best way to help is to encourage your rider to listen to their instructor and celebrate their successes along with their instructor. We all love the encouragement!